LANCASHIRE firefighters are now able to train for any emergency incident in a virtual world.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is instructing commanders on the fireground as usual, and with the aid of a VectorCommand training simulator to help prepare them for any eventuality.

And that, says VectorCommand managing director Jeremy Azis, is why it can help substantially cut the cost of training.

He added: "It can cost £6,000 for a brigade to stage a 'live' training session with two engines, just to teach one officer how to take command.

"And a big training session to simulate a major motorway , aviation or industrial incident can cost up to £250,000.

"The result is that cash-strapped fire services often do not get the vital training they need."

John Taylor, Lancashire's spokesman, said: "We have one of the simulators in our training centre at Euxton.

"It will never be expected to replace actual training on the fireground.

"But it is a very clever computer programme. You can set up an incident on it and alter a number of variables, such as the weather.

"It can be stressfu for the user, making it a fairly realistic process.

"We are pleased with the results from the simulator, but it will only be used alongside traditional techniques.

"Hands-on training can never actually be bettered for firefighters and at Euxton we can simulate live fires, including backdrafts and flashovers."

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