Design and Validation of Simulation-based Training for Emergency First Responders

"Simulation-based training is a promising instructional tool for training first responder military and civilian emergency personnel but its growth and adoption into practical use in training programs has been significantly hindered by the lack ofvalidation. We will address this challenge through two interrelated objectives. We will design a validated training program for first responders that uses simulation technology effectively to increase skill levels. We will also demonstrate, in theprocess of developing this training program, the methods by which such training should be developed and validated. Our technical objectives include identifying the training needs of the first responder and mapping those to the strengths of simulators toinform the design of effective and optimal configurations of simulator-based training programs for first responders. We will draw upon the systematic measure-development process pioneered by Aptima for military aviation to design and develop a set ofperformance measures. The Phase I work will culminate in a proof of concept demonstration of our training program and validation methodology using a simulator in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School, Center for Medical Simulation. There will betwo products at the end of Phase II-firstly the training program itself, to be transitioned into a variety of first-responder environments, and secondly, the methods used to design, develop, and validate