Technological advances have revolutionized training across the Department of Defense, enabling military and civilian personnel to learn effectively in a safe environment.

Across Joint Base San Antonio, members of the 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department are using technology to teach lifesaving lessons.

“Everyone learns at a different pace or in a different way, but most people really like the hands-on learning approach and seem to get a lot more out of it,” said Darrin Tannert, 902nd CES assistant fire department chief. “Hands-on training is always better than computer training because you can experience it, feel it and see how it works. We have a lot of mobile equipment that we take out for training, but the most popular by far is the fire extinguisher trainer.”

At the request of JBSA partners, fire protection team members conduct in-person training sessions where military and civilian personnel can practice using technology-based fire stations, fire extinguishers and simulated fires.

The courses begin with an introduction to the facility’s special fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers and suppression systems, or special issues that employees should be aware of.

The trainers also share tips recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. According to the NFPA, portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property when used to extinguish a small fire or to contain the fire until firefighters arrive.

The trainees can then familiarise themselves with a fire extinguisher from their own building and thus gain confidence in handling it in the event of a fire.

“A lot of people have never touched a fire extinguisher, so this is really a revelation,” Tannert said.

After the initial instruction, the instructors introduce a digital fire extinguisher training system.

Individual volunteers must put what they have learned into practice by responding to a fire displayed on the system’s interactive screen. The device glows and radiates heat to provide a realistic experience in a controlled environment.

After loudly reporting the fire and instructing someone to call 911, volunteers activate the system’s connected fire suppression system to set off a strobe light and an alarm mounted on a stand across the room.

While the light flashes and the alarm goes off, a volunteer with a laser-equipped fire extinguisher practices the simulated fire by practicing pulling the pin, aiming at the fire, pulling the trigger, and swinging it back and forth. These procedures are also known by the acronym PASS.

When you swipe the laser across the sensors at the bottom of the screen, the image responds by moving and shrinking until the participant erases it completely.

Airman 1st Class Roberto Rosalez, 802nd Force Support Squadron force management technician, practiced with the training system during a requested visit.

“I don’t think it would have been the same if we hadn’t used the technology,” Rosalez said. “If we had just talked about it without doing anything, I don’t think it would have been as helpful. I thought the electronic fire simulator was really cool.”

This self-contained electronic system allows fire protection specialists to conduct training virtually anywhere, including at outdoor morale events, combining fire protection strategies with an experience that can reinforce learning.

“We try to involve as many people as possible in fire extinguisher training – including facility managers, commanders and residents,” said Tannert. “We do this at all facilities. Every age group benefits from this training.”

By using technology, firefighters link words to actions to create more memorable experiences and help Team JBSA retain potentially life-saving information.

“(Now) I actually know what to do if there’s a fire,” Rosalez said. “Before the training, though, I would have freaked out … like everyone else who doesn’t know what to do. Now I feel more confident.”