First Responder: Are You Ready? A Serious Game for training in the Incident Command System (ICS) Designed by by Jay Allen & Geof Boyle

Analysis 1 of 3 Instructional Goals Raise the awareness of and develop an appreciation for personal preparedness in and educational and entertaining format Develop genuine knowledge and skills of the National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS) with the goal of improving personal preparedness.

Analysis 2 of 3 Current Instructional Strategies Learner Analysis ILT and Online “Death by PowerPoint” Booming Virtual World 3D Development Learner Analysis “Joe and Jane Citizen” Millions of first responders Link to wiki and Design Document to briefly cover Instructional Goals Instructional Goals This “game” is to (a) raise the awareness of and (b) a personal preparedness towards being self-reliant in an era where natural or man-made disasters are more common than in times past. The underlying concept is: if an individual is personally prepared, they should be in a position to also help others and thereby contribute to the prevention of and response to circumstances which interrupt the normalcy of life.   The primary goal of this game is to enhance “preparedness” as a real-time strategy of citizenry. The secondary goal of the game is to teach the content of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) methodology of response in order to provide the player with the context of being a productive participant should disaster strike. As training in both the NIMS and ICS is a Federally-funded activity (coordinated through FEMA) and a bonus to first responders who complete training (State and local units who show high completion rates of this training among their members are eligible for Federal grants), it is also appropriate to explore expanding knowledge of both NIMS and ICS to the general public.

Analysis 3 of 3 Content Analysis FEMA courseware for Incident Command System Level 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System ICS and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the ICS. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Paramount is introduction of terminology, structure, and the use of standard forms

Design 1 of 4 Use of JGAME as platform Modeling after “Warcraft 2D” Even though Flash-programming seemed to be more engaging Modeling after “Warcraft 2D” Comparative analysis completed to draw parallels between existing game and current concept “God-like” role to orchestrate overall game action while also taking on some first-person responsibilities

Design 2 of 4

Design 3 of 4 Location, Location, Location Complexity Setting? Influence of Fallout 3 release – Washington, D.C.! Decided on rural landscape to keep Computer Science class from freaking out Complexity Balance between reality and reasonableness Keep storyline succinct and provide positive and negative reinforcement to “guide” learner to success

Design 4 of 4

Development 1 of 2 Group Management “Competing” CS Teams Team Alpha Team Bravo? – “Is anybody out there?” – Pink Floyd

Development 2 of 2

Implementation 1 of 1 Here we go! FRAYR prototype

Evaluation 1 of 3 In-Game Positive and Negative reinforcement in the form of text and game play feedback to player actions Compliance with appropriate response will elicit congratulatory remarks and appropriate game response (i.e., incident will control) Avoidance of appropriate responses will elicit additional “encouragement” to take proper action, but will also be accompanied by negative game response (e.g., incident will expand)

Evaluation 2 of 3 Paused-Game

Evaluation 3 of 3 Command Structure Screen – switch from main playing screen As player utilizes elements of ICS command structure, the appropriate areas on a command structure template screen are highlighted Repeated viewings of this structure as it relates to game play are intended to reinforce the ICS structure and terminology to the player

Post-Process Evaluation 1 of 1 Group Interaction Even more collaborative given various communication styles Deeper understanding of CS-side of house ISD? Game Theory?

Motivation