SEOUL -- Seoul's fire and rescue services department created a metaverse-based safety education center where Seoulites can explore evacuation training in case of severe disasters such as an earthquake. The department will release the safety training content on Metaverse Seoul, a virtual platform in which avatar workers handle civic complaints and other administrative services.
Metaverse is a virtual world where anyone can engage in many different social and economic activities using their own avatars. Metaverse platforms require high-speed internet access. With the launch of Metaverse Seoul in January 2023, Seoul became the world's first city to offer services in various sectors including education, tourism, and tax.
Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters said in a statement that the metaverse training center for complex emergencies will be launched by February 2024. After experiencing a magnitude 7.0 earthquake at a concert hall, users will undergo through emergency procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and fire extinguishing techniques. During the virtual training sessions, trainees can also interact with firefighters via live streaming on YouTube.
Metaverse Seoul can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store. Meanwhile, the capital city revealed its plan in November 2021 to provide metaverse-based services in every administrative area by 2026 through a 3.9 billion won ($2.92 million) project.
Seoul has demonstrated many smart safety management solutions. In 2021, the municipal authorities provided safety education classes using virtual reality (VR) devices to raise awareness of 33 types of accident cases. By wearing VR headsets, construction workers could experience different types of safety education through simulated situations.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
