Journal Article

Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins

Partarakis, Nikolaos, Evdaimon, Theodoros, Katsantonis, Menelaos, Zabulis, Xenophon

2025

Overview

This study examines first responder training to deliver realistic, adaptable, and scalable solutions aimed at equipping personnel to handle high-risk, rapidly developing scenarios. The proposed method leverages Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and digital twins to enable immersive and situationally relevant training for security-critical incidents. The method is structured into three distinct phases: definition, digitization, and implementation. The outcome of this approach is the creation of virtual training scenarios that simulate real situations and incident dynamics. The methodology employs photogrammetric reconstruction, simulation of human behavior through locomotion, and virtual security systems, such as surveillance and drone technology. Alongside the methodology, a case study of a large public event is presented to illustrate its feasibility in real-world applications. This study offers a comprehensive and adaptive structure for the design and deployment of digitally augmented training systems. This provides a practical basis for enhancing readiness in a range of operational domains.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: 3D digitization / 3D reconstruction / Artificial intelligence / Augmented Reality / Collaboration / Communication / Computer simulation / Computer-generated environments / Decision making / Digital twins / Digitization / Educational aspects / Emergency response / Evacuations & rescues / First responders / first responders training / Haptics / Immersive technology / immersive training / Locomotion / Paramedics / Photogrammetry / Public safety / Security systems / Simulation / Skills / Smart structures / Training / Virtual reality / virtual reality training