SAFETY, FIRE & DESIGN: SIMULATION FOR FIRE SAFETY TRAINING-SAFED Erasmus Project

Project Title

SAFETY, FIRE & DESIGN: SIMULATION FOR FIRE SAFETY TRAINING-SAFED

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits)

Project Summary

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
Firefighters and firefighting service volunteers face great challenges due to the complexity of the actions and the demands of the service. In these circumstances, firefighters need to assess critical problems under complex conditions and be able to make quick and practical judgments that reflect well-developed scientific knowledge and experience to reduce the possibility of error. It is important to provide a varied training course based on available technology and to find new and improved ways of acquiring knowledge, developing and transmitting individual and group experience, as well as training firefighters to optimize the real performance of the task, minimizing the physical danger, making the most of available resources.

OBJECTIVES
The SAFED project aims to facilitate and improve the training of firefighters, civil protection services and volunteers, through the development of an innovative online training model, tested during the project and based on a comprehensive needs analysis. This model has been successfully implemented in services and volunteers in three countries (Spain, Greece, Cyprus).
More specifically:
• Provide high-quality training to firefighters to increase preparedness and abilities.
• Facilitate and support professionals in validating procedures acquired from practice.
• Develop an electronic platform, accessible from any portable device to host the educational modules while building a research and development community.
• Mitigate the problem of availability of resources, sharing the use of existing facilities among project participants.
• 2 joint training events (5 days each) in Zaragoza and 1 joint training event (2 days) organized on-line by Cyprus Fire Service.
• Develop an e-training model promoting cooperation between institutions that provide education and VET training services for firefighters, volunteers and companies.
• Gather and use the individual and collective experience of mobility as part of the training processes.
• Encourage the cooperation of firefighters and experienced volunteers from different countries and the creation of stable networks of contacts around the different areas of action.

NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS
The consortium consists of 8 partners from 3 countries: four universities and training organizations, three fire services and voluntary civil protection organizations, as well as a non-profit research organization. Each fire service has appointed two instructors who in turn have developed training for more than 70 professional firefighters, in practice or in training; as well as involved more than 200 voluntary associations.

ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
• Comprehensive analysis of training needs.
• Validate the needs of professional partners of knowledge and skills gaps.
• Develop a training methodology: design of a collaborative curriculum, based on evidence and simulation scenarios, integrate contemporary learning theories and practices and modern resources, develop educational scenarios.
• Design, develop and evaluate the digital platform for electronic training.
• Convert training material into e-training (8 complete modules), hosted on the digital platform, in three languages ​​each (Greek, English and Spanish).
• Train various professional instructors/trainers in the methodology, course and implementation tools.
• Validate the usability and efficiency of the e-learning process through pilot tests in the 3 partner countries.
• Document pilot training and adjust project results.

METHODOLOGY
The project has followed a systematic approach to the development of results: design, development, testing and evaluation cycles to evaluate usability and functionality, based on a quality plan and with a clear distribution of tasks and responsibilities.

RESULTS
Using simulation facilities and online technologies, the SAFED project has developed the following products:
• educational platform for e-learning.
• e-learning modules and complementary material.
• documentation of Pilot-training experience.
• methodological, technical documentation and manuals.

LONG-TERM IMPACT AND BENEFITS
• Provide high quality, innovative, flexible and affordable training for firefighters. Documentation and long-term fixation of ‘know-how’ through the platform.
• SAFED will increase the level of qualification and contribute to remote access to training.
• Improve collaboration between partners and the exchange of good practices and resources.
• Gives visibility to innovative and effective EU fire fighting and rescue practices and techniques.

Project Website

http://safedinfo.eu

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 189207,6 Eur

Project Coordinator

CENTRO PÚBLICO INTEGRADO DE FORMACIÓN PROFESIONAL CORONA DE ARAGÓN & Country: ES

Project Partners

• EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY CYPRUS
• DIPUTACION PROVINCIAL DE ZARAGOZA
• CREATIVE THINKING DEVELOPMENT
• UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
• TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF WEST MACEDONIA
• SOCIETY OF VOLUNTEERS OF CIVIL PROTECTION IN PENTELI
• CYPRUS FIRE SERVICE