IMPRINT VR Trainer Evaluation

IMPRINT aims to enhance trainee performance and set operational expectations outside of the hot zone in hyper-realistic exercises that challenge physical, psychological, and cognitive capabilities through adaptive behavioral science enhanced VR modules and seamlessly integrate with HAZWOPER training.

The investigators anticipate trainees and classes assigned to the intervention will perform better than those who use standard paper and PowerPoint based activities. The investigators believe their comprehension of topics will be greater, and it is likely that they will have a greater ability to recall HAZWOPER guidelines in the field. The investigators also anticipate after class survey results will indicate a better HAZWOPER training experience and increased levels of satisfaction with the course.

Additionally, the investigators anticipate that trainers using the IMPRINT VR modules will find the tool more effective and engaging compared to standard PowerPoint and video-based training methods. The investigators expect that trainers will report greater ease in delivering complex HAZWOPER concepts and that the VR modules will enhance their ability to facilitate trainee comprehension and recall of HAZWOPER guidelines. We also anticipate that trainer feedback will reflect a more positive teaching experience and higher levels of satisfaction with the training process.

Long-term benefits of participation include improvement in retention of HAZWOPER guidelines when responding to Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) disasters. The investigators anticipate trainees and classes assigned to the intervention will perform better than those who use standard paper and PowerPoint based activities. The investigators believe their comprehension of topics will be greater, and it is likely that they will have a greater ability to recall HAZWOPER guidelines in the field. The investigators also anticipate after class survey results will indicate a better HAZWOPER training experience and increased levels of satisfaction with the course.

To successfully transfer skills and develop trainees' procedural cognitive maps VR training systems must enable full immersion into training exercises by integrating PPE, enabling 3D object haptic interaction and natural walking to support spatial skill development, and provide trainer support. Research has shown significant performance benefits from VR delivered targeted mission rehearsal. To realize these benefits before facing real emergencies, trainees must have the opportunity to hone their skills in a controlled setting that mimics real-life scenarios as closely as possible through fully immersive exercises. This immersive context driven approach is critical for skill transfer and well understood in parallel domains. Immersion is best achieved through a combination of sensations, including haptic (tactile touch, force feedback, temperature, etc.), audio, and visual (simulated detector reads of simulated radiation). Several recent empirical assessments of VR systems demonstrate superior skill transfer when haptic immersion is integrated in a domain appropriate way (e.g., heat exposure fire training, or stress inducing stimuli for disaster response).

It is not known whether this skill transfer occurs within the HAZMAT domain, or how to best operationalize these findings within training.

The investigators will be targeting participants who participate in The New England Consortium (TNEC) training offerings. Given the training takes place in Massachusetts the investigators will use Massachusetts demographics to set our inclusion targets.

Inclusion criteria

• Students taking the 40-hr HAZWOPER course at The New England Consortium
• Trainers teaching the 40-hr HAZWOPER course at The New England Consortium

Exclusion criteria

• N/A