Dignitaries, a tour and a flaming finale officially opened the expanded DFW Airport Fire Training Research Center Wednesday.

The center, which has trained more than 15,000 firefighters since it started in the 1970s, has a state-of-the-art classroom now, with a giant touch screen and interactive terminals embedded in tables for 3D simulations.

Once trainees get to the field, they work in simulators of all sizes, including the three-story Airbus 380. Fires are controlled by computer from a tower.

DFW Airport spokeswoman Cynthia Vega said the advent of larger aircraft such as the Boeing Dreamliner means aircraft firefighters have to learn new techniques to fight fires in taller airplanes.

Airport spokesman David Magana said the center is used by local firefighters, researchers and departments from more than 20 countries.

The yearlong expansion was funded with a $19 million Federal Aviation Administration grant and $10 million in DFW Airport money.