Data-driven training for a safer tomorrow with LION Protects
Iain Hoey
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Martin Joosen, Managing Director of LION Protects EMEA, discusses how data is reshaping fire safety training by enhancing performance evaluation for fire brigades
Data is reshaping fire safety training by enhancing performance evaluation for fire brigades.
The data LION collects from our systems—whether it’s from wood-burning installations or digital ones, especially digital—allows us to monitor various aspects of the training.
We can track the sequence of the training, its duration and which programs are used most frequently.
This helps us understand which training scenarios are most common.
Based on that, we can advise our customers—and ourselves—on the best combination of training scenarios within a system.
We collect various types of data during training sessions, including the type of training used, the duration, the intensity and the technical aspects, like how much power is consumed.
Essentially, we gather everything we can measure from a technical standpoint.
This data allows us to analyse training effectiveness and identify areas for improvement, ensuring both trainees and systems are optimised for performance.
Room for improvement
Firefighters generally appreciate the opportunity to use data when evaluating their training programs because it allows them to have a clearer picture of their performance.
They can review the data with their instructors to understand which training elements were covered well, which areas may need more attention and why certain things were missed.
This kind of feedback helps identify gaps in the training and provides actionable insights on how to improve.
Each fire brigade has unique training goals that reflect the specific risks of their region.
For instance, a brigade operating in a forested area would need to focus more on preparing for bushfires, while a team working in the city centre of London might prioritise training for urban environments, especially high-rise buildings.
The data helps customise the training to match these different needs.
By gathering performance metrics during training, fire departments can also track patterns over time.
For instance, they can identify areas where firefighters consistently face challenges, such as decision-making under pressure, speed in responding to particular fire types, or teamwork during complex operations.
These insights allow them to fine-tune their training programs, adjusting the mix of scenarios and exercises to strengthen their weak spots.
Challenges and limitations
One of the main issues is that technology is advancing so quickly, which in itself can be both a challenge and a limitation.
As systems and tools become more complex, keeping up with these advancements can be difficult.
What’s particularly interesting right now is the desire to combine training data with the physical condition of the firefighter during exercises.
Firefighters want to track things like body temperature, heart rate and breathing capacity while they train.
Integrating this physical data with the training scenarios presents one of the biggest challenges we face at the moment.
Connecting these two aspects—performance in training and physical health metrics—requires advanced technology and that’s where the focus of many of our current efforts lies.
Future analytics
The future lies in the combination of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
There is a growing interest in creating training scenarios that mimic real-life environments, such as buildings, ships, vessels, or planes, but within a fully virtual setting.
Right now, most virtual environments are viewed through goggles, which can sometimes cause issues like motion sickness.
However, if we can move towards creating virtual environments that exist within the physical space—like a room or training facility—that would be ideal.
This approach would allow firefighters to train in realistic setups, combining the physical aspect of the space with virtual elements.
It’s especially beneficial for procedural training, where the physical surroundings are crucial.
In a virtual setup, you can create an unlimited number of scenarios, offering endless possibilities for custom training experiences.
This type of immersive, data-driven training is where we see the future headed and it will significantly enhance both the quality and effectiveness of fire safety training.