Virtual Training Environments for Major Incident Response Planning in UK Gas Infrastructure

Rogage, Kay (2018) Virtual Training Environments for Major Incident Response Planning in UK Gas Infrastructure. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 9 (2). pp. 130-144. ISSN 1759-5908

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Abstract

An evaluation of a virtual training environment for testing UK gas pipeline emergency response plans. Interviews, observations and desk research were used to identify current methods for testing plans. A virtual training environment was developed and evaluated with industry experts using participatory design techniques. Key themes relating to both the current methods for testing plans and for a virtual training environment were identified using thematic analysis.

Improved training performance, remote participation and evidence of decision testing are benefits a virtual training environment can bring to current practice. It is suggested that a virtual training environment can enhance, rather than replace the current process of testing emergency response plans.

Analysis of the virtual training environment being used to test plans in a live context would give further ecological validity to the findings. A study of the prototype used to test plans for incidents involving sectors outside the gas industry would further validate the findings.

The application of a virtual training environment to facilitate testing plans and the decision making processes for major incidents involving high-pressure gas pipelines and storage sites, is yet to be documented. This paper contributes to the literature by documenting the decision making process and evaluation of a virtual training environment for testing plans in this context.

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