Innovative Sandbox Technology Enhances Wildfire Training for Colorado Firefighters

Colorado firefighters are enhancing their wildfire training using a new technology called the SimTable, funded by a Homeland Security grant. This $100,000 high-tech sandbox allows first responders to simulate real-time wildfire scenarios, improving training realism compared to traditional methods. Brian Keating, fire management officer at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the SimTable uses elevation data and Google Earth imagery to create landscapes where firefighters can adjust variables like wind speed to see how they affect fire growth. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office sees the SimTable not only as a training tool but also as a way to educate homeowners about wildfire mitigation efforts. A joint training event is scheduled for mid-April with various agencies to further these goals.

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