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Blake McCorkle
Founder of RTC, VR Training for First Responders
Blake McCorkle is the founder and creator of Live Simulator, a virtual reality training platform for public safety professionals, particularly firefighters and paramedics. Here are some key details about Blake McCorkle:
Professional Background
Blake McCorkle is a veteran firefighter and paramedic with over 12 years of experience working in Central Florida.2 During his career, he recognized the need for more immersive and effective training tools for first responders.
Live Simulator
Frustrated by the lack of quality VR training options for firefighters and paramedics, McCorkle took matters into his own hands:
- He learned to develop VR applications using the Unreal Engine.2
- Created Live Simulator, one of the world's first VR simulators for public safety training.3
- The platform allows first responders to experience realistic, interactive emergency scenarios in virtual reality.1
Innovation and Goals
McCorkle's approach to VR training is innovative in several ways:
- Focuses on putting users in "once in a career" scenarios to build experience rapidly.1
- Aims to make VR training accessible and affordable for all fire departments.3
- Developed additional modules like "Escape From Fire" for educating children about fire safety.2
Philosophy
McCorkle believes strongly in the power of experiential learning for first responders. His motto is "The only way to gain experience is to Run The Calls!"4 He sees VR as a way to provide valuable experience without waiting for rare, high-stakes incidents to occur in real life.1
Blake McCorkle's work with Live Simulator represents a significant advancement in public safety training, leveraging virtual reality technology to enhance the skills and decision-making abilities of firefighters and paramedics.