Incident Command Simulator

MY ROLE

As the Lead Experience Designer and Project Manager for the incident command simulator project, I spearheaded the design and development of an innovative and immersive training solution. With the support of FEMA funding, our goal was to revolutionize the traditional incident command training by transitioning it into dynamic simulation-based training. In this role, I conceptualized and designed the immersive approach, ensuring that it effectively simulated real-life scenarios for enhanced learning experiences. One of the key features of the incident command simulator was its ability to act as a storytelling tool, allowing instructors to create unique and customizable learning scenarios for each student. I worked closely with the team to incorporate essential factors such as wind speed and direction, smoke color and intensity, fire, and victim location, providing trainers with selectable options to create realistic training environments. Through my expertise and leadership, I ensured the successful execution of the project, empowering instructors with a powerful tool for immersive and effective incident command training.

PRODUCT

The Incident Command Simulator advanced historical incident command training with its dynamic and immersive approach. This innovative product consisted of both an instructor station and a learner station, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. The learner's role was simplified, as they only needed to utilize their county-issued walkie-talkie to communicate with the simulation. By eliminating the need for extensive training on a complex system, the focus was shifted towards decision-making under stress and resource management, mirroring real-life situations. In this simulator, learners could effectively direct firefighters, providing instructions on where to go, how to attack the fire, and which resources and victims to prioritize. This realistic and interactive training environment empowered learners to hone their critical thinking skills and enhance their ability to manage challenging incidents efficiently.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Storytelling allowed instructors to craft unique and customizable scenarios for each learner, enhancing engagement and experiential learning.
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• Minimal UI enabled learners to focus on decision-making under stress and resource management rather than learning a complex system.
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• Emergent behavior was seen from instructors recreating historic and recent events from reality.