Pioneering Fire Safety Training in Healthcare: Spotlight on Gordon Taft

At Vobling, innovation only matters when it creates real impact in the real world. That’s why we want to shine a light on someone who has helped shape the future of fire safety training in healthcare from the very beginning - Gordon Taft, Assistant Fire Safety Advisor within the NHS.

Gordon was one of the very first professionals in the NHS to adopt the Vobling VR Fire Trainer, and his experience, feedback, and forward-thinking mindset have played an important role in how immersive fire training is evolving in hospital environments.

From Traditional Challenges to Immersive Solutions

Fire extinguisher training in hospitals has never been simple. As Gordon explains, traditional training often meant:

-          Outdoor sessions using gas rig simulators

-          High costs for equipment and consumables

-          Training heavily affected by weather conditions

-          Limited ability to bring realistic training into clinical environments

Even after moving to laser-based systems with electronic fire screens, there were still barriers. Smoke simulation, for example, could not be used because it risked triggering real fire alarms - a serious limitation when trying to teach how smoke behaves in an emergency.

Why VR Changes the Game

For Gordon, VR has transformed how staff understand and experience fire safety training.

With the VR Fire Trainer, learners can clearly see how smoke travels, how fire intensity develops, and how situations escalate - all without risk, disruption, or false alarms. By casting the session to a screen, entire groups can follow the scenario as it unfolds, turning individual practice into a shared learning experience.

“The VR Trainer greatly improves the training by giving the user a better perspective regarding issues of smoke travel and fire intensity.”

Building Confidence Where It Matters Most

In a hospital setting, confidence and clarity during an emergency are critical. Gordon highlights that immersive VR training makes it much easier to explain:

-          Hazardous fire development

-          Personal capability and limitations

-          When and how to use first aid fire-fighting equipment safely

This kind of experiential learning helps staff feel more prepared to respond calmly and effectively in a real incident.

Practical Benefits for Healthcare Environments

Beyond realism, VR brings major practical advantages to healthcare fire training:

-          Safe, fully controlled learning environments

-          Flexible delivery directly in or near clinical areas

-          Minimal disruption to hospital operations

-          No weather dependency

-          No risk of triggering fire alarm systems

Gordon has also been a valued collaborator in developing new, location-specific scenarios that reflect the unique risks found within hospital buildings - ensuring the training is not just immersive, but relevant.

Looking Ahead

When asked about the future of VR in healthcare fire safety, Gordon is clear: it can only improve. With more specialised scenarios - such as production kitchens - and continued technological development, immersive training will play an increasingly important role in protecting patients, staff, and facilities.

A huge thank you to Gordon Taft for being a pioneer, collaborator, and advocate for safer healthcare environments. Your insights, dedication, and willingness to explore new ways of training have made a real difference, and we are proud to highlight your contribution to modern fire safety education.