Wildfire Training: IGNIS Project Advances Command Skills
Work is underway in Europe to develop an advanced mobile incident command training system designed to enhance firefighters’ response to wildfires. The Initiative for Global Management of Big Fires through Simulation (IGNIS) aims to improve command and coordination through high-fidelity simulation training for wildfire incident commanders.
Co-financed through the EU Civil Protection Financial Instrument, IGNIS unites emergency service partners from France, Italy, Portugal, and the UK—each with established wildfire training programmes. Over the next two years, the project will create a cost-effective, mobile simulation tool accessible across Europe.
At its core, the system uses a network of computers running gaming-style software to create realistic wildfire environments. Trainees will experience the visual and tactical challenges of an active wildfire, requiring them to process information, make decisions, and coordinate teams effectively and safely.
Alongside the simulation tool, partners are developing a comprehensive training and assessment framework, plus a series of scenarios designed to test decision-making under changing wildfire conditions—including shifts in fire behavior, spread, and wind direction.
The project significantly enhances the training currently available in many EU countries and strengthens cross-border collaboration by using a shared system across member states.
Benefits of Simulation Training
Simulation-based wildfire training offers multiple advantages, including:
- Reduced costs compared to large-scale field exercises.
- Ability to run training in real time—from basic incidents to complex wildfire scenarios.
- Flexibility to modify key variables like terrain and weather conditions.
- Full playback and assessment features to review performance.
As Northumberland Fire and Rescue Chief Fire Officer Paul Hedley notes, realistic training for large wildfires is difficult and dangerous—but simulation offers officers the experience they need to command safely and effectively.
Project Development and Workshops
The project teams participated in hands-on workshops across France, Italy, and the UK, refining exercise scripts, installing simulator software, and building assessment tools. These sessions allowed partners to collaborate on scenario development and ensure the training system reflects real-world wildfire demands.
An external advisory board—featuring wildfire and incident command experts from across Europe—provides critical evaluation to ensure the training system suits not only partner countries but other EU regions.
National and International Training Exercises
Throughout development, IGNIS runs national exercises to test and validate the simulation system with real incident commanders. Exercises include complex multi-day wildfire simulations, cross-border assistance procedures, receiving mutual aid crews, and briefing cycles—mirroring real incident management.
The project will conclude with an international conference where the IGNIS Fire Simulation Resources Centre will launch—becoming a long-term reference hub for wildfire simulation training across Europe.
About the Author
Robert Stacey
Robert Stacey joined Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service in 2007 after beginning his career as an academic researcher. He now serves as project officer in the service’s Wildfire Team, where he develops wildfire policies, manages local and international wildfire projects, and leads the service’s contributions to several EU-funded wildfire initiatives.
For more information please visit northumberlandfireandrescue.gov.uk/ website.
