Abstract
Hazardous material releases pose a serious threat to our communities. In 2018, the Stakeholder Preparedness
Review (SPR) found that 50% of states and territories identified chemical and radiological hazardous material
releases, the most frequently cited ‘technological hazard’ was a troubling concern (FEMA, 2019). In 2019, the
Department of Transportation reported an all-time high 22,756 hazardous material incidents, a 53% increase
from just 10 years prior (U.S. DOT, 2020). Yet, first responder hazmat training initiatives for response efforts
still often do not adequately prepare responders to safely manage a hazmat scene. Current trainings are limited
to classroom-based table top exercises and videos - which do not sufficiently illustrate the risk and response
effort. There is a real need for effective high-quality, realistic, and risk-based training to prepare first
responders to act quickly and effectively when faced with a hazardous material incident. The team headed by
MetaMedia will work collaboratively with the IAFF to develop a mobile learning gamification application
combining 360-degree VR interfaced with our new learning paradigm “Point-of-View Learning” (PVL) and
gamification training that is grounded in the Assess, Plan, Implement, and Evaluate (APIE) approach, a
proven-effective response process for hazardous material situations. Our prototype, Engine Company 1 (EC1),
creates a lifelike emergency response training environment using PVL that employs a collaborative, integrated
solution combining the best of key learning methods including: (1) instructor-led training (ILT) aided by a
custom-developed Facilitator’s Guide, (2) a real-world VR scenario, (3) a gamification eLearning platform
designed to disseminate, display, and score APIE-based challenge questions, (4) and a post-assessment
identifying weaknesses and feedback for remediation. EC1 will integrate the best practices of classroom
instruction, instructional systems design, learning styles, and adult learning theory. This powerful combination
harnesses critical decision-making skills by breaking down a complex incident scene into a methodical
response approach, analyzing clues on the scene, planning a response, implementing the plan, and evaluating
the progress. Making the right decisions in an emergency is not always straightforward and many can involve
different perspectives and choices to properly and safely handle the situation. The need to proactively and
innovatively support awareness and problem-solving skills before facing real-life situations is critical. A 360-
degree VR scenario combined with gamification that encourages calculated and planned thinking from
different perspectives strengthens decision making skills, puts knowledge into practice, makes relevant training
fun and competitive, lets the learner make mistakes without sustaining harm, and provides a remediated
assessment feedback loop. Integrating these multiple forms of learning into a custom training solution that can
increase consistent and effective decision making and enhance key skills for situational awareness will be
transformative in real-life emergency situations.
