Complexity Level of Virtual Simulation Scenarios for Command and Control Behaviors Assessment

Abstract

This ongoing evaluates the command-and-control (C2) activities of rescue incident commanders. The study analyzes the assessment results of 382 commanders’ C2 behaviors using virtual simulation scenarios in two cases and compares them with other scenarios created through the Collaborative Authoring Process Model for Virtual Simulation Scenarios (CAPM). In the first scenario, involving a chemical leak in a hangar, 60 working incident commanders participated. In the second scenario, 83 commanders responded to a more complex case featuring fire spread and multiple casualties in a care home. Scenario complexity increases with the number of victims, key individuals, and the size of the building. When scenarios become overly complicated for first-level command, the standard ranking of common C2 behaviors is not maintained. To guide the development of future virtual simulation scenarios, recommendations for situational elements should be tailored to each command level, ensuring that the scenario storyline aligns with the appropriate level of likelihood and complexity.