Firefighter VR game training: the FLAIM Trainer and VR fire drills
FLAIM Trainer is a virtual reality firefighter simulator that came out of research at Deakin University in Australia. The US Fire Administration backed VR as a safe addition to live-fire drills in 2020 and, in 2023, described it as no replacement for live training.
Updated
What FLAIM Trainer is
FLAIM Trainer is a firefighter VR game and simulator from FLAIM Systems Pty Ltd, which was a Geelong-based start-up when it began. Deakin University launched the start-up in 2017 to commercialize research from its Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, and Associate Professor James Mullins took the role of chief technology officer.
The system combines an HTC Vive Pro headset with scenario software, a special heat suit and a breathing apparatus, so the trainee feels haptic feedback as well as seeing a fire. A biosensing fabric called hitoe, developed by NTT, supplies real-time readings of signals such as the electrocardiogram and electromyogram. The software adds real-time scenario analytics. The pitch was a safe, low-cost and mobile way to simulate many fire events and conditions.
The US Fire Administration and VR
The US Fire Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, published a bulletin in July 2020 titled Virtual Reality Training May Save Firefighter Lives. It presented VR as a safer substitute for dangerous live-fire exercises and listed benefits such as 360-degree views, less wear on protective gear, repeatable after-action scenarios and training in incidents that are costly to recreate.
The agency's later position is more measured. A blog post of March 9, 2023, reviewed again on May 1, 2026, covers two NFPA reports on immersive learning and says that "immersive learning is not currently viable as a replacement for live training." The reports recommend it as a major component of blended training whose role grows as the technology matures.
What is true today
FLAIM Systems still operates a website. Its current front page offers XR firefighter training in a product called FLAIM FTS, plus a fire extinguisher trainer (FLAIM FEX), an explosive ordnance disposal trainer (FLAIM EOD) and a web-based learner record platform (FLAIM Capture). The name FLAIM Trainer does not appear on that page, and the old product page at flaimsystems.com/flaim-trainer no longer loads.
The site does not say that FLAIM FTS replaces FLAIM Trainer, so no successor relationship is claimed here. The site addresses fire and emergency services, defense, industrial firefighting and workplace safety customers, and its Learn More button leads to a contact page. More firefighter VR game entries and other emergency simulators are listed in the games directory.
Questions about firefighter VR training
What is the FLAIM Trainer?
It is a VR firefighter training simulator from FLAIM Systems that pairs a headset with a heat suit, breathing apparatus and biosensing fabric. It grew out of Deakin University research.
Does the US Fire Administration support VR training?
It supports VR as part of training. A 2020 bulletin promoted it as a safer option, and a 2023 post states that immersive learning is not currently viable as a replacement for live training and recommends blended use.
Is FLAIM Trainer still sold?
FLAIM Systems' site does not mention a product by that name in November 2026. It lists FLAIM FTS as its XR firefighter training system and does not say how the two relate.