The use of virtual world platforms for supporting an emergency response training exercise

The development of a computer-based simulation for emergency response exercise training to facilitate trainees' learning activities and learning outcomes is proposed. Some limitations in using these simulations in emergency services include a focus on small-scaled individual task training and highly controlled environments designed to measure trainees' performance. These problems decrease the realism of the simulation which should represent more diverse, open-ended, counter-intuitive and unpredictable environmental conditions. These problems could reduce learning outcomes brought about by allowing open-ended discussions and team working. Virtual worlds provide a new methodological framework for conducting emergency response exercises. This paper describes a research agenda for the development of a virtual training exercise for emergency response. It has three objectives: firstly, it highlights the issues of validity of exercises for emergency events; secondly, it reviews possible virtual worlds which could be deployed as test bed environments and presents methodologies for their evaluation. Lastly, it suggests a future development of a virtual environment that may be used to support the emergency planning community by considering an existing similar project.

[1]  J. Peter Kincaid,et al.  A framework for web-based dissemination of models and lessons learned from emergency-response exercises and operations , 2001 .

[2]  Ronald W. Perry,et al.  Disaster Exercise Outcomes for Professional Emergency Personnel and Citizen Volunteers , 2004 .

[3]  Martin Oliver,et al.  A four dimensional framework for the evaluation and assessment of educational games , 2005 .

[4]  Kristina Lauche,et al.  Incident Command Skills in the Management of an Oil Industry Drilling Incident: A Case Study , 2005 .

[5]  J K Ford,et al.  Emergency response training: strategies for enhancing real-world performance. , 2000, Journal of hazardous materials.

[6]  S. Freitas.  Serious Virtual Worlds: a Scoping Study , 2008 .

[7]  Suleyman Tufekci,et al.  An integrated emergency management decision support system for hurricane emergencies , 1995 .

[8]  Randall L. Oser,et al.  Training teams for emergency management , 2001, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[9]  Robert Hausler,et al.  Training Concept for Environmental Emergency Measures: Structuring Knowledge , 1996 .

[10]  Joseph Krajcik,et al.  Learner-Centered Design: Reflections and New Directions , 2001 .

[11]  Begoña Gros,et al.  Gaming and multimedia applications for environmental crisis management training , 2001, Comput. Hum. Behav..

[12]  Deborah Hix,et al.  User-centered design and evaluation of a real-time battlefield visualization virtual environment , 1999, Proceedings IEEE Virtual Reality (Cat. No. 99CB36316).

[13]  Claudia C. Hill.  Simulation Enhanced Learning: Case Studies in Leadership Development , 2001 .

[14]  Hugh M. Cannon,et al.  Constructs of Simulation Evaluation , 2002 .

[15]  Helen Reeves,et al.  Engineering Geology for Tomorrow’s Cities , 2009 .

[16]  Jean Luc Wybo,et al.  COMMAND CENTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT , 1998 .

[17]  John M. Carroll,et al.  Human-Computer Interaction in the New Millennium , 2001 .

[18]  Mark Lentczner,et al.  Second Life , 2007, USENIX Annual Technical Conference.

[19]  Rego Granlund.  Web-based micro-world simulation for emergency management training , 2001, Future Gener. Comput. Syst..

[20]  Julie-Ann Sime,et al.  Situated learning with co-operative agent simulations in team training , 2001, Comput. Hum. Behav..