ALIVE (Advanced Learning through Integrated Visual Environments) is a interactive training program that simulates critical decision-making aspects of firefighting and reinforces lessons learned though interactive tactical scenarios. In ALIVE, evidence-based firefighting strategies are divided into a series of steps. At each step, information is presented in the form of text, images, video of a real scenario, audio of a real communication, etc., and firefighters must tackle relevant, real-life situations with the options provided. Each chosen option dynamically alters the scenario and logically routes the participant down a different path with new conditions that require further decision to be made. Once an identifiable, multi-step sub-task has been completed, the user is presented with the result of his or her choice, as well as an explanation of why the choice was correct or incorrect. The application is also designed to allow the user to loop recursively through the scenario to see where errors were made, while providing relevant information necessary for making appropriate decisions at different points and allowing firefighters to learn from their own mistakes.
This training module trains the firefighters for new firefighting procedures to fight wind-driven high-rise fires with improved safety. The efficacy of these firefighting procedures (Positive Pressure Ventilation, Wind Control Device Deployment, High-Rise Nozzle Deployment) was demonstrated in a AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program) sponsored research study conducted by Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Fire Department of New York and National Institute of Standards and Technology. This iOS application includes the videos and images of the live burn experiments and scientific simulations conducted a part of this research study.