Frequently Asked Questions

FirefighterVR is a portable VR training system for fire departments, youth fire brigades, industrial fire services, fire safety officers, command staff, and public outreach. It complements live training with scenarios that are too dangerous, too rare, or too costly to practise regularly in reality – using real equipment such as a hose nozzle, fire extinguisher, and CPR manikin.

FirefighterVR trainings are available in German, English, Italian and Spanish. Further languages can be added on request.

Software for all trainings is included in every package – including Firesaber and Fire Attack. Packages only differ by the physical accessory (nozzle, extinguisher, CPR manikin). Most scenarios also run with the standard controllers. → Discover all training modules

The following scenarios are currently available:

• Bürobrand (Office Fire)
• CPR / Reanimation
• Drehleiter (Turntable Ladder)
• Elektronikbrand (Electronics Fire)
• Erkundung (Reconnaissance)
• Erste Hilfe (First Aid)
• Feuerlöscher (Fire Extinguisher)
• Firesaber
• Flashover
• Flughafen (Airport Fire)
• Gastankbrand (Gas Tank Fire)
• Innenbrand (Interior Fire)
• Kreiselpumpe (Centrifugal Pump)
• Ladeflächenbrand (Loading Dock Fire)
• Löschangriff (Fire Attack)
• Notfallpneumatik (Emergency Pneumatics)
• Ölflächenbrand (Oil Fire)
• Planspiel (Tactical Exercise)
• Sprinklerwartung (Sprinkler Maintenance)
• Sprungkissen (Jump Cushion)
• Tutorial
• Übungsstrecken (Training Courses)
• Unfallsicherung (Accident Securing)
• Waldbrand (Wildfire)

→ View all modules with details

FirefighterVR is continuously updated and relies on user feedback. We remain in close touch with fire departments, instructors, and youth brigades to implement new content and practical functions. Feedback regarding technical flows, interactions, or documentation is always welcome – the project thrives as a collaborative endeavour.

FirefighterVR is engineered for mobility, cost-effectiveness, and broad utility. Highly specialised VR systems featuring complex scenarios or supplementary sensor technology exist, but operate in a significantly higher technical and financial bracket. FirefighterVR functions as a practical, mobile complementary tool for training and education.

The standard delivery includes:

• VR headset (Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise) with headstrap and power bank
• FirefighterVR software (pre-installed, all trainings)
• Wireless HDMI set (transmitter and receiver)
• Charging accessories and carry case
• Manual – currently at firefightervr.de/en/handbuch/
• Technical support

Training itself runs fully offline on the headset — no PC. You need Wi-Fi for automatic updates, better support, browser or Smart-TV streaming, and Google Maps data in Planspiel and GodView. Planspiel multiplayer also requires Wi-Fi.

No. FirefighterVR runs as a standalone application directly on the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise — no PC, gaming rig, or external processing unit is required. This makes it easy to deploy at any location.

Yes. The VR view can be streamed live to a monitor, TV, projector or laptop so others can follow the session.

Options:

• Directly to a Smart TV or projector (same Wi-Fi)
• Via a browser on the same network
• Via the included HDMI transmitter and receiver. Plug the transmitter into the headset with USB-C and the receiver into any HDMI screen. Power the transmitter from the power bank, otherwise runtime drops sharply.

Details: Manual setup.

Updates are distributed directly via the Pico Enterprise MDM portal. Once a Wi-Fi connection is available, the headset downloads and installs the update automatically — typically within a few minutes. No manual action is required by the user.

The software is optimised for and exclusively certified on the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise. Using alternative hardware is not supported and may lead to performance issues or missing features. The enterprise variant of the headset provides important management and deployment capabilities that consumer models lack.

Selected scenarios include an instructor mode that allows certain events to be triggered externally — for example adjusting fire intensity or spawning additional hazards. This feature is continuously being expanded. For scenarios without instructor mode, the VR system provides automated, scenario-driven feedback.

The Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise lasts about 2–3 hours in continuous use. The headstrap with power bank roughly doubles that – or it powers the HDMI transmitter (not both at once). Recharge below about 30–35 %; short charging intervals between runs cover a training day. Details: Manual setup.

At least 3×3 metres of clear floor space per VR station, without trip hazards, with a free swing radius for the nozzle and extinguisher. A supervisor secures the area. Details: Manual setup.

No. FirefighterVR keeps the Pico virtual boundary off because AR scenarios need free movement. Do not rely on an on-screen fence – the real floor space and the supervisor keep people safe.

Clean lenses dry with a microfibre cloth only, never with alcohol or wet disinfectant wipes. Never point the lenses at sunlight – they act like a magnifying glass and can permanently damage the display. The face shield and housing may be disinfected and then wiped dry. At events, rotate face shields.

Hold the power button for at least 10 seconds. A short press puts the headset into standby, a long press switches it off. More cases: Troubleshooting.

No. The button adapter clicks onto the lever. Mentions of tape in older videos are outdated. Guide with photos: Extinguisher adapter.

Online at firefightervr.de/en/handbuch/ and as a PDF (German print edition). That URL is also the target of the QR code in the printed handbook.

First fit the adapters: click the nozzle, ring and button adapters on – the button adapter is not glued. Slide the left and right controllers into the labelled mounts on the training extinguisher (grip with the middle finger). Put on the headset, open Fire safety / Brandschutzhelfer and start the extinguisher training. Tap a fire source, pick the matching extinguisher, rotate or move it with the sticks if needed, then extinguish. The real-extinguisher mode is recommended. Keep at least a 3×3 m clear area and a free swing radius.

Step-by-step with photos: Extinguisher adapter.

Short how-to film (not a sales video):

The B button on the controller opens the menu. Instructors can set real extinguisher vs. controllers only, passthrough vs. full VR, fire intensity and spread, task prompts on/off, extinguish button (left grip or right trigger), spray start and maximum, button height, and the delay before auto-restart after a result. Reset the training via System after changing settings.

FirefighterVR is ideal for initial and refresher training of active firefighters, youth fire brigade work, public outreach events and open days, as well as corporate fire safety instruction. The low barrier to entry and the immediate feedback from the system make it effective even for participants with no prior VR experience.

Several headsets can run in parallel. Planspiel has multiplayer; the headsets must be on the same Wi-Fi. All other modules run as single-user training; the group follows via HDMI or browser.

A trained instructor can set up the complete system in under 5 minutes: unpack the headset, start the app, connect the HDMI transmitter to the TV — done. No calibration or complex network setup is required.

No. The system is designed so that instructors only need a short familiarisation session of around 30 minutes. We also provide a comprehensive instructor guide and — upon request — an on-site introduction session.

Participants also need no prior VR experience. An integrated tutorial guides every user through the basic controls and interactions step by step before the actual training begins.

Yes – especially for refreshers and the annual fire-safety briefing of all employees. In Germany, DGUV Information 205-023 recognises VR simulation devices for practical extinguisher drills. Initial fire-warden training still requires a live-flame exercise; VR complements that classroom session, it does not replace it.

FirefighterVR is continuously developed based on practical feedback. We maintain close contact with fire departments, instructors, and users. Technical suggestions, requests for new interactions, scenarios, or documentation improvements are expressly welcome and are incorporated into the ongoing development.

Let the biggest sceptic in the group go first. If they’re smiling after a short time, the rest of the group will warm up much faster.

Also avoid evaluating mistakes in front of the group. Anyone who picks the wrong extinguisher gets immediate feedback from the VR system — the instructor does not need to step in. This removes the fear of making mistakes.

Harness the screencast feature conveying the VR perspective onto a TV. The rest of the faction can function as “command staff”, evaluating tactical choices, or answering queries the active participant articulates aloud. This shapes mere waiting intervals into lively, unified coaching sequences.

Yes! Both GodView and the Planspiel (Tactical Exercise) module support loading custom 3D tilesets (3D Tiles / .json). This allows you to explore a photogrammetric scan of your actual operational area directly in VR.

Step 1 – Preparation on the PC

• Download the ZIP file via the provided download link to your service PC.
• Switch on the Pico 4 Ultra Enterprise, unplug the USB-C cable from the transceiver, and connect the headset to the PC instead – it will appear as a removable drive.
• In the headset’s file explorer, open Internal Storage → Download, copy the ZIP file into that folder, then disconnect the cable.

Step 2 – Unpacking on the headset

• Put on the headset → Main Menu → Tools → launch WinRAR.
• Navigate to the Download folder and select the ZIP file.
• Check the destination path before extracting: WinRAR sometimes inserts a doubled Download folder (e.g. “Download/Download/dataset”). Remove one of the duplicate entries so the path is clean (e.g. “Download/dataset”). This setting can be saved for future use.
• Start the extraction – with many individual files this may take a few minutes.

Step 3a – Access via GodView

• Launch GodView → open the in-app tablet → Dataset → tap the + icon to add a new tileset.
• Navigate to the extracted folder and select the tileset.json file.
• Once loaded, the location appears in the Dataset list and can be reached immediately via the Fly-To button.

Step 3b – Access via Planspiel (Tactical Exercise)

• Launch Planspiel → Menu → Change Environment → Select Tileset → load the same JSON file.

Note on rendering quality: GodView renders the dataset at higher resolution. In Planspiel the tileset quality is slightly reduced, since performance must be reserved for placeable objects. For the best possible visual quality, use GodView.

Tip: In GodView, enable Dynamic Speed under Settings and reduce it slightly for more comfortable navigation through large datasets.

Yes! The Planspiel module includes a built-in import and export function for placed objects. This lets you prepare scenarios in advance, save them as named groups, and restore them at the push of a button — even after all objects have been deleted.

Exporting:

• Open the Place tool and arrange the desired objects in the scene.
• Use the back arrows in the top-left menu to navigate to the Object Overview.
• Select all objects you want to export.
• Tap the upward arrow (Export) in the bottom right, give the group a name, and confirm with OK.
• The save path is shown immediately. Repeat for additional groups.

Importing:

• Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top right.
• Select Import → SDCard → folder FFVR Playground.
• Choose the desired group — all objects reappear instantly at their saved positions.

Tip: Save multiple scenarios as separate groups and import them individually as needed. A fully prepared training setup can be restored in seconds.

VR acts like an immensely powerful magnet targeting younger demographics. Serving exceptionally well at open-house days, trade fairs, or anniversary jubilees, it attracts visitors permitting them to playfully experience the firefighter métier. A "high score" system propels ambition shaping an unforgettable introductory milestone.

Packages: Nozzle €3,299, Extinguisher and CPR €3,199 net each. A package includes VR hardware plus the physical component. Software for all trainings is always included — most scenarios also work with the standard controllers. Extra physical components (add-on components): €449 or €549. Updates from year 2 optional €499 net. → All packages and prices

No. The Extinguisher package already includes VR hardware and the physical training extinguisher. Software for all trainings is included with every package — most scenarios also work with the standard controllers when the special hardware is not connected. An add-on component is only needed if you want another physical component (e.g. CPR manikin or nozzle). Example: Extinguisher package (€3,199) + CPR manikin add-on (€449) = €3,648 net. Quotes may split the package price into hardware and component line items; the sum equals the package price.

Yes, for 499 € per week (net) featuring a 1,500 € deposit clause. Crucially, the deposit coupled precisely with the rental charge is fully credited towards any ensuing purchase.

You can book an online showcase via our website mapping exactly to FirefighterVR. Additionally, we are accessible at multiple trade conventions.

Countless fire departments have successfully financed the platform via their booster clubs (Fördervereine), community budgets, or discrete stipends. Moreover, it is increasingly widespread for neighboring departments to cooperatively procure an overlapping unit.