Reimagining Firefighter and Drone Training Through Immersive Tech


Case Study: Tall Timbers & US Forest Service VR Simulation Project


Introduction


Training for high-risk situations like controlled burns or UAV fire surveillance shouldn’t come at the cost of safety—or expensive hardware. So when Tall Timbers and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) came to us with the idea of developing virtual training tools using immersive technology, I knew this was a chance to combine my creative direction, user experience design, and production leadership to deliver a solution that could make a real impact.


Over the course of three years, we developed two interconnected applications: a field-based prescribed fire training experience for Tall Timbers, and a drone simulation platform for USFS’s UAVS team. Both tools are now deployed in the USDA’s secure AWS government cloud environment.


The Challenge


Our dual mission was clear:

* Create virtual training tools to assist firefighters and drone pilots in realistic, low-risk environments
* Educate users before they operate in the field or fly costly UAVs
* Replicate real-world hardware systems within a virtual environment for accurate training and evaluation

We needed to deliver immersive experiences that were technically precise, simple to use, and approved to run within government IT infrastructure—no small feat.


My Role


As UX and UI Lead, I was responsible for designing intuitive user flows that would guide trainees through unfamiliar procedures in complex, high-stress contexts. This meant developing interface logic that reflected both the practical demands of the field and the cognitive load of learners.


As Executive Producer, I oversaw the full production pipeline—from early prototyping and testing to technical implementation, stakeholder collaboration, and final delivery. My job was to ensure creative excellence, technical precision, and smooth execution across internal teams, government stakeholders, and field experts.


Approach


Research & UX Design


We began by mapping out user journeys for both firefighter trainees and drone pilots. Our team conducted extensive interviews and design reviews with experienced operators to define workflows that mirrored real-world operations—down to the timing, location, and sequencing of key actions.


Prototyping with Purpose


We developed a prototype built in Unity and deployed on Oculus and PC, guiding users through a linear experience from the POV of a field technician. Beginning with a mission briefing from a burn boss, trainees progress step-by-step through a burn scenario—driving to the site, monitoring conditions, and executing the burn with real-time feedback.
We used actual data captured from a prescribed burn at Eglin Air Force Base to shape environmental realism, fire behavior, and mission timing.


Drone Simulation Experience


When USFS UAVS joined the project, we expanded the scope. Their pilots needed a digital way to train on drone flights over active fire zones. The app we built simulates UAV flight mechanics with enough precision to test spatial awareness, camera operation, and mission outcomes. For instructors, we designed a CMS that tracks trainee progress, logs scores, and enables lesson assignment.


This wasn’t just a game-like sim; it was a fully integrated, professional-grade training environment deployed in the USDA’s cloud with strict data and authentication protocols.


Outcomes

✔ Immersive, step-by-step training for field techs and drone pilots
✔ Live CMS dashboard for instructors to monitor and guide trainee progress
✔ Secure cloud deployment within the USDA AWS GovCloud
✔ Successful government partnership with USFS, setting a model for future immersive training tools
These projects proved that well-designed XR training tools can reduce risk, improve retention, and scale field education—without ever putting people or equipment in harm’s way.


Key Learnings

* Design for flexibility: Government stakeholders and remote teams often introduce shifting timelines or evolving requirements. Our modular approach to UI and systems integration made updates easier.
* Plan for dependencies: From government security reviews to cross-agency sign-offs, the project taught us how to build for approvals as much as for users.
* Prioritize intuitive interaction: High immersion doesn’t matter if people can’t figure out what to do next. We leaned into natural UX patterns to guide users intuitively through each mission phase.


Final Thoughts


This was one of the most meaningful and technically rewarding projects I’ve led. It combined creative storytelling, precise UI/UX design, government collaboration, and immersive technology to solve real-world problems. Whether you're training firefighters, simulating drone flights, or just trying to onboard users more effectively, the core principle remains the same: Design for clarity. Build for trust. Deliver with purpose.


If you’re interested in applying immersive tech, simulation platforms, or learning environments to your own team or industry, I’d love to chat.