Research reveals that experience plays a central role in making effective decisions, especially during critical situations. The Adaptive Virtual Environment Response Trainer (AVERT) allows decision makers to build a pattern base that enables them to make recognitional decisions when real world challenges arise. AVERT offers progressive training, from acquisition of knowledge through informational presentations, to building of skills in an individual role trainer with simulated teammates, to formulating abilities by exercising with a team in a real-world environment.
AVERT is a simulation-based training system that allows individuals or teams to make decisions in realistic situations and see the outcomes. AVERT is completely web-based with no software install; the user needs only a broadband connection to join an exercise. Each exercise scenario presents the unfolding situation through realistic injects including email, news videos, website articles, and simulated phone calls. Users make decisions and mitigate the incident by responding to messages, communicating with teammates, and giving commands to simulated entities.
AVERT scenarios can be created to exercise any domain. Currently, AVERT, branded as the Emergency Management Staff Trainer, is being used to train National Guard Joint Operations Center staff as well as Public Health and Emergency Management personnel.
