New Disaster Simulation Theatre Nearly Ready

Saint John firefighters will soon be better trained to respond to different incidents and disasters.

A new disaster simulation theatre in the Leinster Street fire station is nearing completion.

Deputy Chief Rob Nichol said the simulator will allow them to create scenarios based on exact circumstances.

“The participants are immersed in an emergency incident environment that mimics reality,” Nichol told members of the city’s public safety committee this week.

“The simulation theatre incorporates artificial intelligence to provide realistic consequences to the decisions that are made by the participants as they proceed through the scenario.”

Nichol said Saint John has a diverse history of past emergency incidents ranging from natural disasters to industrial accidents.

The city’s unique industrial hazard risk profile also requires competence in a variety of fields, including nuclear, natural gas, oil, electric, and water, he said.

“Routine emergency response training is critical to maintain and improve the skills and the confidence of both the responders and the commanding officers,” said Nichol.

In addition to creating specific scenarios, the simulation theatre will decrease training and operational costs and reduce safety concerns for those taking part.

The simulator will be located in the former space belonging to Fire Prevention and Investigation, which has been relocated to Station 4 on Courtenay Avenue.

Nichol said the estimated $603,000 price tag, which includes the simulator and relocation costs, will be covered through a new “response training” fee as part of the backup fire response agreement with NB Power for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

In addition, Nichol said local industries can pay to use the simulation theatre to test their emergency response/business continuity plans and run their staff through training simulations.

The new simulation theatre will be installed in September and is expected to go live in mid-October.