“This is a T.E.S.T.” (Tabletop Exercise Simulation Tool): Using Gamification to Train Public Health Staff in Community Reception Centers for a Nuclear or Radiological Incident

Abstract

Introduction:After a nuclear or radiological (nuc/rad) incident, there is a need to screen, potentially decontaminate, and monitor the affected population. A Community Reception Center (CRC) is a site that provides these services, plus more, to those displaced by a large-scale incident. By using CRCs, federal agencies and state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) health departments can monitor the affected population, help prevent hospitals from becoming overburdened with persons not critically injured, compliment shelter operations, and obtain a basis for a long-term registry. However, public health staff often are not fully trained in their CRC role and the decision-making factors.Method:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a unique training board game, “This is a T.E.S.T.” (Tabletop Exercise Simulation Tool), for public health staff about their CRC role and decision-making factors. We play-tested the game with several CDC and STLT staff in 2022 and received informal feedback.Results:Players found the game facilitated discussion and identified gaps in CRC plans, safety hazards, population needs, and staffing requirements. They also said the game improved collaboration and communication. Over 90% of players strongly agreed the game accurately simulated both bottlenecks and resource needs, individual needs and anxiety, and allowed a greater understanding of CRC operations.Conclusion:Games have been used for emergency response using different platforms such as virtual reality and video games. This is a T.E.S.T. facilitates collaboration by tasking players with managing resources, staff fatigue, public anxiety, and hazards. Players provided valuable feedback on its usability while learning more about CRCs. “This is a T.E.S.T” provides a unique, innovative training experience that incorporates components from typical tabletop and full-scale exercises, CRC capacity estimates through CDC’s CRC SimPLER (Simulation Program for Leveraging and Evaluating Resources), and key principles of adult learning.