How a fire truck driving simulator protects firefighters and the public

In 2021, an estimated 60,750 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty, resulting in 135 on-duty deaths. These sobering numbers reflect the reality firefighters face every day.

Proper training for firefighters is crucial, as they have to face a variety of dangers and must learn a wide range of skills.

The problem is that training can’t cover every aspect of the job.

Using a fire truck driving simulator can cover all experiences that may occur on the road. Simulators allow firefighters to not only practice driving a fire vehicle safely, but also enhance the skills needed to maneuver the road.

Continue reading to learn how to mitigate the dangers firefighters face behind the wheel. 

The dangers firefighters face daily

Fires are only one of many dangers that firefighters face every day.

Fire

In 2021, 19,200 fireground operation injuries were reported, including:

• Overexertion/strain: 25%
• Falls/jumps/slips/trips: 24%
• Strains/sprains/muscular injuries: 41%

These injuries come from battling the fire, rescuing civilians or fellow firefighters, clearing the scene and many other tasks.

Non-fire emergencies

Injuries in non-fire emergencies have been on the rise. In 1981, there were around 9,600 injuries; in 2021, it was 13,325. This shows an increase of 39%.

However, it’s believed that the increase in injuries is due to the increased number of non-fire emergencies rather than more firefighters injuring themselves.

Driving

Getting to and from emergencies can be treacherous for firefighters. Between having to rush to the emergency site and weaving between cars and pedestrians, it’s almost inevitable that injuries occur.

In 2021, 4,950 injuries occurred while responding to or returning from emergency situations, and there was a total of 18,775 collisions of emergency fire vehicles that resulted in 600 injuries. A total of 16 firefighters died in 2021 due to vehicle-related incidents: 10 passed due to crashes, and six were struck by another vehicle.

Distracted drivers

When firefighters handle a roadside emergency, they often have to deal with distracted drivers. 71% of American drivers take photos or videos when they see an emergency vehicle responding to a situation on the road. 24% admitted they do this while still driving.

While behind the wheel, 60% of drivers will post to social media, with 66% sending an email.

Of the drivers surveyed, 16% said they have hit or nearly hit a first responder or emergency vehicle, and 19% admitted their own distracted driving put first responders at unnecessary risk.

The skills firefighters need for driving

Here’s a list of skills firefighters need to properly do their job:

• Adaptability: Emergencies can never be predicted, and with something as ever-changing as fire, successful emergency responders need to be able to change plans and courses of action in an instant. 
• Communication: A firefighter must be able to state what’s happening in clear language—not only to their teammates but to civilians and victims on the scene.
• Driving: A fire engine's size and center of gravity are very different from a passenger vehicle. Additionally, fire vehicles' center of gravity changes depending on how much water is in the storage tanks.
• Mechanics: All firefighters should understand how their vehicle functions and be able to handle basic mechanical problems.
• Multitasking: Whether communicating with teammates while driving or strategizing on the go as they rescue civilians, firefighters are always doing multiple things at once.
• Physical fitness: Firefighters must be able to lift heavy weights, be able to endure running in heavy uniforms and climb stairs and ladders quickly while under duress.
• Problem-solving: Whether the situation changed while the team was on the way to a scene or a sudden action caused a ripple effect, firefighters need to feel confident in their ability to solve complex problems and make sound decisions.
• Spatial awareness: Firefighters need this skill to understand and navigate burning buildings (and the road).
• Staying calm under pressure: Whether it’s having to reach a location quickly while driving through traffic or ensuring everyone’s been evacuated from a burning building, firefighters must be able to mentally endure high levels of stress.
• Teamwork: Being able to work with others is crucial for firefighters. Without teamwork, emergency situations cannot be managed efficiently.

Driving scenarios for firefighters

While no training could possibly recreate every situation imaginable, training most certainly can make firefighters more confident in their decision-making in new situations. An efficient way to cover a broad range of situations and skills is to use a driving simulator.

Using a fire truck driving simulator like FireSim™ allows new firefighters to get used to the feel of the vehicle. This is because the simulation, physical steering wheel and brakes all mimic the same resistance as an actual fire engine.

Here is an example of a scenario that can be used to train both new and experienced firefighters.

Driving in busy cities

In 2021, 198 people died in emergency vehicle crashes; 56% were civilians. Handling such a large vehicle in a busy city is already tricky, but weaving through groups of civilians while speeding toward an emergency makes it almost impossible.

But with FireSim™, you can simulate driving through a busy city in a safe environment. Firefighters can practice safely weaving between cars and avoiding pedestrians. Our top-of-the-line instructor operation station can adjust various aspects of the fire truck driving simulation, such as the amount of traffic, weather and lighting.

You can also change the scenario difficulty for more experienced firefighters and create custom scenarios that better match the area your team serves.

FireSim™ provides effective training for firefighters

Protect your firefighters and the public by providing top-quality fire vehicle driving training. A fire truck driving simulator provides a safe environment for users to learn and make mistakes for better learning. Create courses that both new and experienced firefighters can learn from through custom scenarios based on their needs.