by Steven Gillespie
Training Officer, Wheat Ridge (CO) Fire Department
The Wheat Ridge (CO) Fire Department has developed a virtual fireground environment usingFLAME-SIMsoftware. The intent of thistraining是为了开发其成员的认知和务实决策过程，从而防止在压力，紧急和敌对的条件下运作时受伤，死亡或财产的重大损失。
The Wheat Ridge (CO) Fire Department utilizes FLAME-SIM as the basis for officer and tactical development because research, such as the 2003National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)report1,压力下的判断和决策：应急管理人员的概述，highlights the importance of the aforementioned training objectives by reporting that:
“… stress is one of the factors that decision makers must contend with in most life-or-death situations. They suggest that a better understanding of individual judgment and decision making activities whilst under stress would yield a better understanding of how people reach the choices they make in emergencies.”
Flame-SIM为我们的成员提供了在各种压力大的情况下进行培训的机会，每个人都可以开发出必要的系统和流程，以做出更安全，更有效和熟练的决策。
自从November of 2009, our members have completed 41模拟训练方案。使用模拟培训的影响是直接的。与购买火焰-SIM并制定基于模拟的军官和战术开发计划相比，模拟培训提高了我们的组织以更安全，更高效和熟练的方式运作的能力。
Of our members who have participated in the simulation-training program, 75% rated the comfort level of their individual knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA), in the context of decision-making and stress management, as somewhat comfortable. Following the completion of a simulation training program (4 days), those same members “agree” or “strongly agree” that they now possess the KSA to operate in a safer, more efficient, and proficient manner.
Given the fiscal constraints placed upon our organization, the difficulties in conducting training directly related to stress management, decision-making, and tactical operations, little if any training models will provide the aforementioned results. In short, the Wheat Ridge (CO) Fire Department has gotten what we paid for. We are safer and better prepared as a result!
1. Kowalski-Trakofler, K. M., Vaught, C., & Scharf, T. (2003). Judgment and decision making under stress: An overview for emergency managers. International Journal of Emergency Management, 1(3), 278-289. Available fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pdfs/jadmu.pdf
More info:www.flame-sim.com
