Simulation Exercises.
All response agencies face challenges in preparing for low-frequency-high-impact events (e.g., tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunami’s, mass casualty incidents). Simulation exercises (SIMEX’s) are an effective teaching technique that replicate real-life incidents with immersive, interactive, low risk, facilitated and simulated scenarios.
Studies have demonstrated that SIMEX’s enhance performance and reduce errors. They are an effective technique for developing participants knowledge, skills, experience and confidence. Participants are stressed but not overwhelmed, resulting in a constructive learning outcome.
Key competencies, such as communication (interpersonal; intra-agency; inter-agency), problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork and leadership are developed in a facilitated and controlled manner.
Our Simulation Exercise services include:
Field Exercises (FIELDEX):
Our FIELDEX’s simulate complex, “real-life”, incidents that incorporate all the key elements of a major response, including activation and mobilisation, inter-agency coordination, command and control, logistics, operational and tactical decision-making, technical operations, reporting, documentation and demobilisation.
The benefits of running FIELDEX’s include:
- Improved consequence awareness
- Increased knowledge retention
- Rapid feedback mechanism
- Perform high-risk activities (decision-making, operations) in a low/no risk environment
- Facilitated intra/inter-agency cooperation
- Scalable
- Repeatable
- Customisable
- Outcome-focused debriefing
Virtual Exercises (VIRTEX)
Similar to our FIELDEX’s, our VIRTEX’s cover many of the same activities, however these are facilitated remotely on-line.
In addition to the benefits of a FIELDEX’s, VIRTEX’s also offer:
- Enhanced time and cost effectiveness
- Increased number of beneficiaries (Observers are able to “dial-in” to see and hear the interactions)
- Highly customisable
- Staged learning outcomes with sub-groups prior to bringing the larger group together
Tabletop Exercises (TTE):
Our Tabletop exercises are interactive, task-orientated sessions where team members act out their roles and responsibilities during a response to a particular emergency incident. These sessions are facilitator-guided, allowing for real-time feedback and corrective action. Our TTE’s are delivered virtually or in-person.
DART utilises SIMEX’s for the following purposes:
Designing structured learning experiences to address specific threats, risks and vulnerabilities
As an assessment tool to validate required competencies and requirements, e.g., INSARAG Guidelines, WHO Guidelines and SPHERE Standards
Validate organisational policy, process and standard operating procedures
Fulfil regulatory authority requirements, e.g., annual testing requirements
We develop your SIMEX’s in close consultation with you
- Firstly, we determine your:
- Regulatory / legislative requirements
- SIMEX priorities
- SIMEX objectives
- SIMEX participants
- Most appropriate format
- Secondly, we:
- Compile a design and development team
- Develop the exercise scenario
- Develop scripts and data injects
- Assign tasks and responsibilities
Then we:
- Facilitate the implementation of the SIMEX
- Provide immediate feedback after key activities
- Conduct a post-SIMEX debrief
- Provide a comprehensive SIMEX report and verification of compliance
- Comprehensive performance evaluation – this may be against an existing or predetermined set of criteria, e.g., INSARAG IEC/R Checklist
- Recommendations for a corrective action plan
- Recommended implementation schedule to ensure compliance and currency with relevant guidelines
- Then, we:
- Facilitate the implementation of the SIMEX
- Provide immediate feedback after key activities
- Conduct a post-SIMEX debrief
- Provide a comprehensive SIMEX report and verification of compliance
- Comprehensive performance evaluation – this may be against an existing or predetermined set of criteria, e.g., INSARAG IEC/R Checklist
- Recommendations for a corrective action plan
- Recommended implementation schedule to ensure compliance and currency with relevant guidelines
