Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Security
  • /
  • HRH The Princess Royal opens Capita’s FSC Immersive Skills Lab

Security Events

HRH The Princess Royal opens Capita’s FSC Immersive Skills Lab

HRH Princess Anne has opened a new Immersive Skills Lab, a purpose-built, fully flexible learning space at Capita’s Fire Service College (FSC), created to support practical and collaborative firefighter training and skills development.

While live incident training – including tackling real fires – will remain the cornerstone of training at the College, the Immersive Skills Lab uses AI to replicate hyper-realistic real fire scenarios whilst eliminating the associated safety and environmental concerns.
 
In doing so, the new lab will allow current and the next generation of firefighters to develop and hone their skills in a safe and controlled environment, where approaches to tackling fires can be finessed without real-world consequences.
 
The use of AI to deliver this advanced learning and training aligns with Capita’s strategy of integrating technology with people and processes to enhance experiences and outcomes for clients.

Advertisement
ADS S&P RT

Above: An aerial view of Capita’s Fire Service College facilities at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
Courtesy Capita

For 50 years, the 300-acre site in Moreton-in-Marsh has served as the central fire training establishment in the UK, from those in junior ranks positions to Chief Fire Officers, as well as supporting wider emergency services and first responders. Capita’s long-term strategic vision for the FSC is for the site to expand its focus to support resilience framework, address civil preparedness and support innovation.

Colleagues at the FSC were honoured to have HRH Princess Anne in attendance to open the technology lab. The College has a long and proud history of hosting members of the Royal family, beginning in 1974 when the late Queen Elizabeth II opened the College.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Clair Mowbray, director at the FSC, said: “The opening of our new Immersive Skills Lab will enhance digital capabilities to ensure that learning and training remains world-leading at the College.

“Firefighters at all experience levels will be even better equipped to build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to respond to a range of complex emergency situations and enhance their preparedness for high-risk incidents.”

David Hook CBE, managing director for Capita Defence and National Preparedness, said: “The sophisticated application of technology will grow in importance across Capita’s Defence and National Preparedness businesses. In common with Capita applying ‘virtual reality’ technology into its Defence contracts, improving the quality and experience in training, the construction of this state-of-the-art Immersive Skills Lab will ensure that firefighters gain experience that better prepares them to respond to unpredictable challenges in real world scenarios.

“We anticipate using the Immersive Technology Lab across Capita’s Defence businesses in order to meet the complex and evolving needs of our clients.”

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Prisoners help address MoD environmental challenges

Defence Security

Prisoners help address MoD environmental challenges

11 February 2025

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has joined forces with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to help prisoners develop their horticulture skills, as part of a wider sustainability initiative to plant 30,000 trees (20 hectares) on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land.

UK Home Secretary hosts summit on mobile phone theft

Security Events

UK Home Secretary hosts summit on mobile phone theft

10 February 2025

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper brought together policing leaders, the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Mayor of London and leading tech companies last week, to drive new action to tackle mobile phone thefts and secure a collective effort to grip this criminality.

TEKEVER partners with IMSAR on advanced radar tech

Aerospace Defence Security

TEKEVER partners with IMSAR on advanced radar tech

10 February 2025

TEKEVER today announced a two-year partnership agreement with IMSAR, to advance radar tech and data processing solutions.

CCL boosts Incident Response capability with SentinelOne partnership

Security

CCL boosts Incident Response capability with SentinelOne partnership

7 February 2025

As part of its continued investment into its Incident Response services, digital forensics and cyber specialist CCL has announced a partnership with the global leader in autonomous cyber security and EDR, SentinelOne.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Goldilock expands West Midlands hub

Defence Security

Goldilock expands West Midlands hub

6 February 2025

Cyber scaleup Goldilock - the network segmentation and isolation specialist backed by NATO - has today announced the expansion of its West Midlands headquarters to support its rapid growth trajectory.

Windward launches Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection

Defence Security

Windward launches Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection

6 February 2025

Windward today announced the launch of its Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection solution, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered solution designed to protect the world's essential maritime infrastructure including cables, pipelines and rigs against growing threats.

Advertisement
ODU RT