Four uses of AI to improve firefighter training programs

Four uses in firefighter training

Win time. Using generative AI to conduct basic research or study a topic can save time. Instead of searching the web or digging through existing training materials, the user can type in a prompt related to a firefighting topic. An example of using ChatGPT to save time might be: “Write 200 words on the evolution of firefighting equipment.”

Brilliant idea. Generative AI can be used to help generate training ideas.

We’ve all had those moments of mental block where we couldn’t think of a training topic for an upcoming session. Common ways to overcome this challenge are to review past exercises, study standard operating policies/guidelines, open an NFPA standard, check out websites, and explore social media. Generative AI offers an additional tool. An example of a prompt to help brainstorm training ideas might be, “What are the 10 knots a firefighter should know?”

Generate sketches and drafts. Once you have identified a training session topic, you can use generative AI to create an outline or overview. As mentioned above, we can use search engines to find existing information, but generative AI prompts do the heavy lifting of creating training information. An example of using generative AI to generate training plans that have a given topic and time limit considerations is: “Can you create me an outline for a 15-minute exercise on rope rescue knots?”

Create content. Business leaders and firefighting instructors have the immense advantage of being able to use generative AI to create training content. There are generative AI products that can take text and create images (CoPilot Designer, DALL·E 3, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion), videos (Lumen5, Pictory, Sora), documents (ChatGPT), infographics (Canva), presentation slides (DesignerBot, Prezi), and even quiz questions (ChatGPT). Using a well-worded prompt helps you get what you need. One suggestion for content creation is, “Can you create a handout for a ground ladder operations training session?”

Warnings and precautions

AI itself can be considered neutral. It is neither good nor bad, but it can be either depending on how people use it. We can use it wisely as a tool to help improve training.

Anything generated by AI must be critically reviewed by the company officer or fire instructor. Officers and instructors are the experts and must review what the generative AI program is proposing, to verify the factual accuracy and applicability of the information before it is shared with firefighters during training. Often, the information generated may be contradictory, false, or inaccurate/non-factual, or the information may be “by the book” but needs to be modified to reflect a department’s operations and training requirements. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the information created is used ethically and with integrity.

This is not the ultimate solution

Consider the suggestions for using generative AI mentioned above as starting points for improving training programs.

When I asked ChatGPT “How can generative AI help improve firefighter training sessions?” the program’s suggestions included “Scenario Generation,” “Dynamic Training Exercises,” “Virtual Reality Simulation,” “Feedback,” and “Assessment,” before explaining, “By integrating generative AI technologies into firefighter training sessions, trainers can create more immersive, dynamic, and effective learning experiences for firefighters, improving their preparedness and response capabilities.” That’s a pretty accurate summary of my thoughts.