Program for Terrorism Response Training

Dartmouth Interactive Media Lab (IML)
June 13, 2007

Dartmouth’s Interactive Media Laboratory (IML) has launched a new, video game-based training program for first responders featuring simulated terrorist attacks using weapons of mass destruction.

The program, called “Ops-Plus for WMD Hazmat,” is the first course for IML’s Virtual Terrorism Response Academy (VTRA). The course provides more than 16 hours of training to handle CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive) emergencies. Dozens of local, state, and federal responders helped develop and test “Ops-Plus.”

Throughout the interactive program, fire, police and EMS trainees learn from leading WMD and hazmat-response experts. The course begins in the simulated Hazmat Learning Lab, then proceeds to fully-interactive, simulated emergency situations. During the program, the trainee uses accurately-modeled instruments, answers various WMD-related questions, and makes tactical decisions. In the debriefing section, an expert trainer explains the impact of the trainee’s decisions during the simulations.