The latest Update of the BMA-Trainer App makes fire alarm system training even more realistic. The app simulates the entire fire alarm activation process, allowing fire departments to train without the need for a real fire alarm system. The main new features are the ability to use your own zone cards and a clearer assignment of tasks to individual roles during training. Here's an overview of what's changed.
Import Your Own Zone Cards
In addition to the existing option of recreating a building layout manually, the app now includes an import feature. You can upload your existing zone cards as an image or PDF directly from your photo gallery, using your camera, or from your files.
To ensure detectors can be triggered during training as usual, simply place them on the imported zone card afterwards. Just tap the desired location, position the detector, and the building is ready for training.
New Training Mode with Zone Cards
During training, both the instructor and participants work with the imported zone cards. The instructor has access to all cards and can trigger individual detectors as needed, allowing scenarios to be controlled flexibly while keeping track of events at all times. Participants train using the actual zone cards of the building, just as they would during a real incident.
New Training Workflow with Expanded Roles
At the start of the training, you can choose how you want to run the exercise. Two options are now available:
- Single Device Mode (as before): You run through the entire scenario on a single tablet. Starting at the fire brigade key depot (FSD), you proceed to the fire alarm control panel (FIZ), work through the incident using the zone cards, and finally return to the FSD on the same device to complete and secure the operation. All stations are handled on a single screen.
- Two Device Mode (new): The workflow is split across two devices. One tablet is used exclusively as the fire brigade key depot (FSD), while the second tablet serves as the fire alarm control panel (FIZ).
The FSD tablet is placed where the key depot would be located in the actual building. The FIZ tablet is positioned at its designated location. This creates a realistic separation between the stations, just as in a real facility.
Participants must physically move between the stations during the exercise, closely reflecting real-world procedures.
- In addition, two new roles are now available:
- Using an additional device, the attack team can receive their zone cards directly from the FIZ device, including a dedicated handover and return process. Once handed over, the zone card is only accessible on the attack team's device. This allows interior reconnaissance and navigation within the building to be simulated in a realistic way, closely reflecting real-world operations.
- In the Pager role, participants receive alarm notifications exclusively on their assigned devices. This makes it easy to train the complete workflow with larger groups while clearly separating responsibilities and tasks.
- In addition, two new roles are now available:
Additional Improvements in the BMA Trainer App
We've also made a number of additional improvements throughout the app:
- In the floor plan editor, the new Wall Row mode allows you to draw continuous walls in a single step. This makes creating new floor plans much faster and more efficient.
- The evacuation alarm now sounds more realistic and is easier to recognize.
Update the BMA Trainer app to the latest version and start your first training exercise using your own zone cards!
