CONTEXT Firefighters face increased challenges due to the complexity of the incidents and the increased demands for service. Under these circumstances, there is a need for firefighters to evaluate critical issues under complex conditions and make fast and reasonable judgments reflecting on sound scientific knowledge and experiences in order to reduce the chance of error. Thus, it is important to provide more and varied training and find new and improved ways to train firefighters which optimize the fidelity of actual task performance, while minimizing physical danger and monetary costs. OBJECTIVES SAFED project aims to improve the preparedness and work safety of fire fighters for future crises and emergencies by developing an innovative e-training program based on a successfully tested and implemented simulation model coupled with state of the art scientific knowledge and based on comprehensive needs analysis. More specifically: • Provide better quality training for fire fighters to increase preparedness and ability to act • Facilitate and support professionals in validating procedures acquired from practice • Identify knowledge and practice gaps through comprehensive training needs analyses • Develop an e-training curriculum as a result of cooperation between 3 countries (Spain, Greece and Cyprus) based on evidence gathered from simulation installations that will address existing knowledge and practice gaps • Develop an e-platform, accessible from any portable device to host the educational modules and develop a community of inquire • Generate new and better simulation scenarios improving the knowledge database through the cooperation of experienced fire fighters from different countries • Mitigate the resource availability problem, sharing the use of the already existing installations with the participants of the project, both on-site and through distance learning • Exploit further and mainstreaming a successful training model NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The partnership consists of 8 partners from 3 countries: universities and training organizations, fire services and civil protection volunteers organizations as well as a non-profit research organization. ACTIVITIES • Comprehensive training needs analyses though literature review, including good practices, target audience and topic analysis. • Validate the needs from the partner countries in relation to knowledge and skills gaps. • Develop a training methodology: design and develop of a collaborative, evidence-based curriculum based on simulation, integrate contemporary learning theories and practices, develop the educational scenarios and lesson plans. • Design and develop the e-training platform. • Convert training material into e-training, hosted in the e-learning segments of the platform. • Validate e-training usability and efficiency • Develop the skills retention service • Train a number of appointed instructors/trainers to the methodology, course and delivery tools. • Organize and implement pilots in the 3 partner countries. • Implement the ECVET tools • Assess pilots and adjust project outcomes. METHODOLOGY The partnership will design, develop, test, implement and disseminate an innovative training program for firefighters facilitated by the e-training platform and the Skills Retention Service. The project will follow a systematic approach to outcomes development: cycles of design, development, testing, and assessment to evaluate usability & functionality. The development of the training program will be based on the adoption of a user-centred approach which necessitates the involvement of target groups’ representatives in all project phases. In addition, involving users from the beginning of the project in the design of the training and of the platform functionalities not only is expected to increase the efficiency and usability of e-learning training, but it is also expected to ease resistance to change in adopting the proposed innovative training framework. RESULTS Using the simulation installations and online technologies, SAFED project will develop an e-training based on real needs and the cognitive and learning profile of the target groups which can be applied in various stages of fire fighters training: • e-learning educational platform • e-training modules • online technologies to make remote practices closer to face-to-face training • Skills Retention Service • ECVET supporting tools IMPACT & LONG TERM BENEFITS • Provide a high-quality innovative, flexible, affordable training for firefighters • SAFED will increase the level of qualification and will serve the digitalization ambition of the field • Improve VET providers offer online training using remote control practices • Improve collaboration between partners and the sharing of good practices and resources • Mainstream simulation training • Provide visibility of EU innovative and effective firefighting practices
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND Firefighters and firefighting service volunteers face great challenges due to the complexity of the actions and the demands of the service. In these circumstances, firefighters need to assess critical problems under complex conditions and be able to make quick and practical judgments that reflect well-developed scientific knowledge and experience to reduce the possibility of error. It is important to provide a varied training course based on available technology and to find new and improved ways of acquiring knowledge, developing and transmitting individual and group experience, as well as training firefighters to optimize the real performance of the task, minimizing the physical danger, making the most of available resources. OBJECTIVES The SAFED project aims to facilitate and improve the training of firefighters, civil protection services and volunteers, through the development of an innovative online training model, tested during the project and based on a comprehensive needs analysis. This model has been successfully implemented in services and volunteers in three countries (Spain, Greece, Cyprus). More specifically: • Provide high-quality training to firefighters to increase preparedness and abilities. • Facilitate and support professionals in validating procedures acquired from practice. • Develop an electronic platform, accessible from any portable device to host the educational modules while building a research and development community. • Mitigate the problem of availability of resources, sharing the use of existing facilities among project participants. • 2 joint training events (5 days each) in Zaragoza and 1 joint training event (2 days) organized on-line by Cyprus Fire Service. • Develop an e-training model promoting cooperation between institutions that provide education and VET training services for firefighters, volunteers and companies. • Gather and use the individual and collective experience of mobility as part of the training processes. • Encourage the cooperation of firefighters and experienced volunteers from different countries and the creation of stable networks of contacts around the different areas of action. NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The consortium consists of 8 partners from 3 countries: four universities and training organizations, three fire services and voluntary civil protection organizations, as well as a non-profit research organization. Each fire service has appointed two instructors who in turn have developed training for more than 70 professional firefighters, in practice or in training; as well as involved more than 200 voluntary associations. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT • Comprehensive analysis of training needs. • Validate the needs of professional partners of knowledge and skills gaps. • Develop a training methodology: design of a collaborative curriculum, based on evidence and simulation scenarios, integrate contemporary learning theories and practices and modern resources, develop educational scenarios. • Design, develop and evaluate the digital platform for electronic training. • Convert training material into e-training (8 complete modules), hosted on the digital platform, in three languages each (Greek, English and Spanish). • Train various professional instructors/trainers in the methodology, course and implementation tools. • Validate the usability and efficiency of the e-learning process through pilot tests in the 3 partner countries. • Document pilot training and adjust project results. METHODOLOGY The project has followed a systematic approach to the development of results: design, development, testing and evaluation cycles to evaluate usability and functionality, based on a quality plan and with a clear distribution of tasks and responsibilities. RESULTS Using simulation facilities and online technologies, the SAFED project has developed the following products: • educational platform for e-learning. • e-learning modules and complementary material. • documentation of Pilot-training experience. • methodological, technical documentation and manuals. LONG-TERM IMPACT AND BENEFITS • Provide high quality, innovative, flexible and affordable training for firefighters. Documentation and long-term fixation of 'know-how' through the platform. • SAFED will increase the level of qualification and contribute to remote access to training. • Improve collaboration between partners and the exchange of good practices and resources. • Gives visibility to innovative and effective EU fire fighting and rescue practices and techniques.