New virtual training for ambulance drivers coming to Western Pa.

PITTSBURGH — A new type of virtual training is helping local EMT and paramedics safer and more efficient drivers when it comes to operating ambulances.

Virtual Drive is the name of the new type of training that’s taking place inside a large trailer that is making its way to EMT stations.

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First created by Duran Precision, the simulation training is what long haul truckers and pilots have used for years.  Now the $310,000 rig, which has been paid for by the state and UPMC, is coming to 135 ambulance services in Western Pennsylvania.

"So we can simulate day time operations, night time, snow, rain, all under the comfort of our mobile simulation lab there,” said Brian Shaw, with Emergency Medical Service Institute.

With 600,000 calls a year statewide and thousands of drivers operating ambulances, the goal is to improve safety.

"We have ambulance crashes that average one a day in Pennsylvania,” said Myron Mickens, with UPMC.

The new investment in training is seen as very cost effective.

"Training is expensive, and we wanted to take the simulator training to them,” said Shaw.

Shaw said the goal is to train 16 drivers a day.

Paramedics that Channel 11’s David Johnson spoke with said they like Virtual Drive, adding it’s another good tool for training.

With almost a dozen counties to cover, it’s likely the training will take a couple of years to complete.

WPXI