The Role of Virtual Spaces and Interactivity in Emergency Training

Virtual Reality (VR) allows to re-create risky situations in a safe and realistic environment and, in recent years, it has been proposed as a versatile training tool for fire emergencies. However, there is still the need to compare VR with other training formats, to better understand when and how it is advantageous to invest in virtual systems for emergency training. In this preliminary study, we compare different formats of a training program for teaching how to extinguish office-related fires. Formats vary in the presence and realism of the spatial representation, namely an immersive and interactive VR environment, a non-interactive desktop Video and traditional paper-based material. Participants' reactions and knowledge acquisition have been measured using both quantitative (accuracy, reaction times, questionnaires) and qualitative (open questions) methods. Results show that, at performance level, all three training formats significantly improved accuracy, but only participants in VR and Video conditions became faster in choosing the correct extinguisher. In terms of participants' evaluation, the VR format was judged more positively compared to the other trainings.