KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Firefighters are getting new help in navigating the clogged streets of Kissimmee. The Kissimmee Fire Department is using a state-of-the-art simulator to train firefighters on how to drive a fire truck.

What You Need To Know

  • Kissimmee Fire Department is preparing to train firefighters in new fire truck simulator

  • Simulator will help firefighters train in different scenarios, like clogged streets and severe weather

  • The simulator training will be mandatory

  • Kissimmee Fire hopes to share simulator with other fire departments in Central Florida

Deputy Chief Joseph Leone says the Sim-Tech Fire Vehicle Training Simulator will come in handy, especially for new hires.

“What we want to do is put them in the driving simulator first before we put them on the street and allow them to face the reality that they’re going to face heavy traffic,” said Leone, “We want to put them in those scenarios before they actually drive on John Young or OBT.”

The simulator, which is housed in a mobile trailer, will be mandatory for all firefighters and paramedics. Training begins in June. The technology can simulate congested roads, severe weather and other issues firefighters may encounter.

Firefighter Jamie Steffen says the simulator is helpful, even for a seven-year veteran like herself.

“It’s very hard navigating through the heavy traffic we have here,” Steffen said.

Firetrucks are slow to start and stop and require going through red lights at times. Steffen says the simulator prepares firefighters for that.

“It definitely gets you used to driving a larger vehicle, as opposed to someone who is driving a Prius or something on the way in to work and then expected to drive an ambulance or engine or a squad or something,” she said.

Other vehicles, like ambulances and dump trucks, can also be simulated.

The Kissimmee Fire Department hopes to train other city employees in the simulator and roll it out to other fire departments across Central Florida.

“What we’re going to try and do is roll this out to Central Florida fire departments and Central Florida public works,” said Leone. “So not only is this going to be an asset to the city of Kissimmee, but it’s going to be an asset to Central Florida fire departments and whoever else who may want to use it.”