- Australian simulation technology company MOTUM Simulation is developing five state-of-the-art mobile driving simulators for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to transform driver training for volunteer firefighters across Victoria.
- The trailer-based simulators use virtual reality headsets, eye-tracking technology, six-degree-of-freedom motion technology, and real-time performance analytics to safely replicate high-risk driving scenarios such as Code 1 emergencies, smoke-covered roads, and challenging off-road terrain.
- The first two units will be delivered to the CFA in August 2026, with the remaining three operational before December, forming one of Australia's largest mobile simulation training fleets dedicated to emergency services driver education.
- The platform can replicate five different CFA response vehicles, including both manual and automatic transmissions, with instructors able to introduce dynamic, unpredictable events in real time to ensure no two training scenarios are identical.
- The first completed simulator will make its public début at AFAC2026 in August, where fire and emergency service agencies from across Australia and New Zealand will be able to experience the technology firsthand.
Five mobile simulators, custom-built software and immersive virtual reality technology are set to transform how CFA volunteer firefighters prepare for some of the most high-risk driving conditions they will ever face.
Australian simulation technology company MOTUM Simulation is helping boost emergency services driver training through the development of five state-of-the-art mobile driving simulators for the Country Fire Authority (CFA), bringing advanced virtual training directly to Volunteer firefighters across Victoria.
The project is currently in the advanced stages of development, the first completed simulator will make its public debut at AFAC2026 in August, where MOTUM will showcase the technology to the emergency services industry. The exhibition will provide fire and emergency service agencies from across Australia and New Zealand with the opportunity to experience the simulator firsthand, explore its advanced capabilities and see how immersive virtual training can safely replicate high-risk driving scenarios that are difficult or impossible to recreate in the real world.
The first two units will be delivered to CFA in August with the remaining three units in service prior to December this year. Once complete, the trailer-based simulators will travel throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria, providing accessible, high-fidelity driver training wherever it is needed.
From responding to Code 1 emergencies with lights and sirens, to navigating smoke-covered roads, avoiding falling trees, preventing vehicle rollovers and driving challenging off-road terrain, CFA volunteer firefighters can build experience before ever encountering these situations on the road.
Powered by MOTUM's globally patented True Motion® six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) technology and the company's proprietary MOTUM World synthetic training environment, the simulators accurately recreate the movement, handling and visual complexity of real CFA response vehicles.
Using virtual reality headsets, eye-tracking technology and detailed performance analytics, instructors can assess everything from hazard perception and mirror checking to situational awareness and decision-making under pressure.
Importantly, trainers can introduce dynamic events in real time, ensuring no two scenarios are ever the same.
MOTUM Simulation, Managing Director, Steve Hoinville said emergency services represented one of the most valuable applications of simulation technology.
"Emergency responders are regularly asked to make critical decisions in incredibly challenging environments where mistakes can have devastating consequences," Mr Hoinville said.
"Simulation allows those scenarios to be experienced over and over again without exposing volunteer firefighters, instructors or expensive emergency vehicles to unnecessary risk.
"It enables organisations to safely train for events that are too high risk, too unpredictable or simply too rare to recreate in the real world.
"The ability to objectively measure performance while building confidence and capability is changing the future of driver training."
Once all five units are operational, the program will provide one of Australia's largest mobile simulation training fleets dedicated to emergency services driver education.
The technology also enables five different CFA response vehicles, including both manual and automatic transmissions, to be replicated within the simulation platform, ensuring training closely reflects real operational conditions.
The addition of simulation will further strengthen that capability with this initiative being a critical element of CFA’s enhanced driver training program.
While the CFA project represents one of Australia's most advanced emergency services simulation programs, MOTUM is delivering the technology to applications well beyond firefighting.
Simulation is being adopted across mining, defence, heavy vehicle transport, ports and driver education as organisations seek more consistent and measurable approaches to skills development. MOTUM’s flexible MOTUM World platform can be customised to accurately recreate specific vehicles, operating environments and training scenarios for virtually any industry.
As the demand for safer and smarter training continues to grow, projects such as the CFA simulator program demonstrate how virtual environments are becoming an essential part of preparing people for real-world challenges.
Contact details:
Vicky De George
0405 151 485