Gettin Hectic burns down the house with VR for Department of Fire and Emergency Services

When it comes to charging mobile devices, most of us don’t pay so much attention and are often guilty of leaving our devices charging on soft surfaces, unaware that this is a significant fire risk. If a fire disaster strikes, a working smoke alarm can save your life.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) tasked Gettin Hectic to bring this important safety message to the public in a way that would give it extra weight.

The specialist experiential marketing agency landed this message using virtual reality (VR) technology to create an exciting, immersive and visceral experience. The full 360 VR experience of a real-life burning house being attended by DFES first responders, delivers important, up-to-date safety information in a highly impactful way.

The power of VR is in its ability to deeply immerse people in a scenario that they would otherwise be unable to experience.

Gettin Hectic VR Experience Producer Roger Steiner said, “people are motivated by emotions – a key to this project’s success is that it truly immerses the participant in a mix of fear, empathy and relief”.

DFES A/Director Media and Corporate Communications, Jemma Williams said, “this activation is a great tool for us to showcase the terrifying situation than can be avoided through simply having a working smoke alarm”.

A key challenge for the project team was how to activate the VR experience in a physical setting. Gettin Hectic developed a set designed to enhance the content itself both as part of a permanent exhibit at the DFES Education and Heritage Centre as well as a mobile roadshow experience. This enables DFES to exhibit the experience in remote and high-risk areas as well as urban environments.

Head down to the DFES Education and Heritage Centre on Murray Street Perth (open from 10am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays), where the experience is on permanent exhibit. Admission is free.

Producer & Account Manager: Roger Steiner
Strategy Director: Andrew Davey
Managing and Creative Director: David Saraga