Virtual reality bushfires recreate nightmare scenarios to encourage disaster planning
Virtual reality bushfires recreate nightmare scenarios to encourage disaster planning
05 January 2018
Published by http://www.abc.net.au/
AUSTRALIA- Fire authorities are using virtual reality to place Victorians in worst-case bushfire scenarios to encourage them to better prepare for a disaster.
The virtual reality program shows the user the possible fatal consequences if they act too late when a bushfire has broken out.
The Victorian Government will take the program to Echuca, Benalla, Shepparton and Seymour over the next three weeks, and plans to expand it further.
“A good decision is an early decision,” Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said.
“An informed decision is a good decision.”
The virtual reality program starts off explaining to the user that a fire is approaching their property and they must choose whether to evacuate, stay and defend, or seek shelter.
After deciding, the user is thrust into a virtual world of rapidly advancing flames, ember attacks, thick plumes of smoke and a distinctive bushfire roar.
The program is designed to be confronting.
Users are warned about the experience at the start and only those aged 17 years or older are recommended to take part.
“We don’t want people to experience a fire in reality,” Commissioner Lapsley said.
“What we want them to do is to learn from the experience of fire, so the virtual reality option is a fantastic way of doing that.”
Commissioner Lapsley said many people struggle to implement their fire plans when a bushfire is near because the situation is incredibly stressful and fluid.
He said leaving early was a safe option, and those who stayed to defend their properties needed to be wary of what they would experience.
“Sometimes we’ll see people with the best of plans, but the day itself will challenge them. The fire itself will challenge them,” Commissioner Lapsley said.
“Through this type of technology, they’ll be able to see the scenario of what they might be faced against and will make a better decision.”
The program can be accessed online and will be in Echuca (January 11–14), Benalla (January 18–21), Shepparton (January 25–28) and Seymour (February 1–4) at pop up cinema events.
