2 9 t h A n n u a l F i r e D e p a r t m e n t I n f o r m a t i o n C o n f e r e n c e
FDIC ATLANTIC
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2026 REGISTRATION OPEN
CLASSROOM WORKShOP
CLASSROOM WORKShOP
"Immersive Technology Strategies for the Modern Fire Service Instructor"
"Immersive Technology Strategies for the Modern Fire Service Instructor"
Mike Novak & Dr. Gertrude Mandeville
Mike Novak & Dr. Gertrude Mandeville
Sunday Morning 08:00 - 0930
Sunday Morning 10:00 - 11:30
Synopsis
As fireground operations grow more complex and less forgiving, fire service instructors must find safer, more effective ways to prepare firefighters for high-risk, low-frequency events. Immersive training technologies—including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and simulation-based learning—offer instructors a powerful tool to enhance decision-making, situational awareness, and operational readiness without the risks associated with live-fire training. This FDIC Atlantic session is designed specifically for fire service instructors, training officers, and company-level leaders responsible for developing and delivering effective training.
Participants will be introduced to practical, instructor-driven applications of immersive technology and shown how these tools can be integrated into existing training programs—not as a replacement for hands-on training, but as a force multiplier that supports it. Through real-world fire service examples, scenario demonstrations, and facilitated discussion, attendees will explore which fireground skills and incident types are best suited for immersive training. The session will also address instructor considerations such as scenario setup, student management, after-action reviews, and maintaining operational realism. Common implementation challenges—including cost, staffing, and organizational buy-in—will be discussed, along with strategies to overcome them. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and a clear framework for incorporating immersive technology into their training programs to improve readiness while minimizing risk.
Bio
Mike Novak is the division chief of training and safety for Branson, MO, Fire Rescue. His areas of responsibility with Branson include training program management as well as health and incident safety. Novak serves as the Region 7 Volunteer Advocate Manager for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s, Until Everyone Goes Home program, an adjunct instructor for the University of Missouri's Fire Rescue Training Institute, and a regional sales and training associate with Pleiadian Systems. He holds a master’s degree in public administration in emergency services administration and is credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and as an Executive Fire Officer through the National Fire Academy. He presented on VR training at the inaugural FireFusion conference in November 2024 and again in 2025.
Dr. Gertrude Mandeville is a learning scientist and designer with over 30 years of experience creating high-impact learning solutions across education, healthcare, fire services, and industry. Her work integrates learning science, instructional design, and emerging technologies—including virtual reality—to build competency-based, data-informed training. She specializes in e-learning, instructor-led programs, immersive learning design, and learning analytics using Experience API and modern learning architectures. Dr. Mandeville holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology and Technology and has published on metacognition, learning skills, and instructional practice.
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