Firefighter Training: The REVAS Process

This project was created as a simulation role playing game that walked the new firefighter through the REVAS (Rescue, Exposure, Ventilation, Attack, and Salvage) process which he or she is taught during their training. The training consist of a real-life scenario in which the house is burning and the firefighters must choose the necessary steps to put out the fire without endangering themselves or the other five firefighters involved. The simulation includes a first person point of view including the ability to communicate with artificial intelligence within the gaming engine. The development of the simulation is used in conjunction with traditional classroom training methods. The simulation provides the firefighters with a safe and effective way to learn about each step in the process by putting them in a real-life scenario virtually. Not only was the simulation complex, but also offered variable scenarios such as current temperature, time of day, and even location of the burning home. The learner must interact with the artificial intelligence bots which include the other firefighters and victims in the house to determine the next step in the process based on variables that are presented to them. The simulation was deployed a learning management system so that the facilitator of the course could track the user’s progress throughout the 3D scenario.