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Article

Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins

by
Nikolaos Partarakis
1,2,*,
Theodoros Evdaimon
1,
Menelaos Katsantonis
2 and
Xenophon Zabulis
1
1
Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas (FORTH), GR-70013 Heraklion, Greece
2
Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, GR-54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Computers 2025, 14(7), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14070274
Submission received: 26 May 2025 / Revised: 30 June 2025 / Accepted: 8 July 2025 / Published: 11 July 2025

Abstract

This study examines first responder training to deliver realistic, adaptable, and scalable solutions aimed at equipping personnel to handle high-risk, rapidly developing scenarios. The proposed method leverages Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and digital twins to enable immersive and situationally relevant training for security-critical incidents. The method is structured into three distinct phases: definition, digitization, and implementation. The outcome of this approach is the creation of virtual training scenarios that simulate real situations and incident dynamics. The methodology employs photogrammetric reconstruction, simulation of human behavior through locomotion, and virtual security systems, such as surveillance and drone technology. Alongside the methodology, a case study of a large public event is presented to illustrate its feasibility in real-world applications. This study offers a comprehensive and adaptive structure for the design and deployment of digitally augmented training systems. This provides a practical basis for enhancing readiness in a range of operational domains.
Keywords: virtual reality training; first responders training; immersive training; 3D digitization; 3D reconstruction; photogrammetry; digital twins; locomotion; virtual humans virtual reality training; first responders training; immersive training; 3D digitization; 3D reconstruction; photogrammetry; digital twins; locomotion; virtual humans

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Partarakis, N.; Evdaimon, T.; Katsantonis, M.; Zabulis, X. Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins. Computers 2025, 14, 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14070274

AMA Style

Partarakis N, Evdaimon T, Katsantonis M, Zabulis X. Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins. Computers. 2025; 14(7):274. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14070274

Chicago/Turabian Style

Partarakis, Nikolaos, Theodoros Evdaimon, Menelaos Katsantonis, and Xenophon Zabulis. 2025. "Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins" Computers 14, no. 7: 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14070274

APA Style

Partarakis, N., Evdaimon, T., Katsantonis, M., & Zabulis, X. (2025). Training First Responders Through VR-Based Situated Digital Twins. Computers, 14(7), 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14070274

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