Columbia Gas (NiSource)
First Responder Training Game
In dealing with natural gas, a tiny failure
can cause loss of life and considerable property damage. In order
to prevent potentially catastrophic accidents (e.g., a gas explosion),
Columbia Gas invests significant time and effort in their first
responder training. Until now, their training has been instructor-based
classroom teaching. However, the company's multi-state footprint
meant that instructors had to fly back and forth to teach the
first responders. The high costs and the ability only to reach
a limited number of employees at a time rendered this approach
less than desirable.
Working with Columbia Gas, Etcetera Edutainment is creating a
first responder training simulation that provides a 3D realistic
environment of houses, buildings, surroundings and equipment.
Players navigate the virtual environment, interacting with
virtual customers, appliances, pipes, and so on to safely check
for gas leaks and other potential problems.
This virtual training can be administered over the Internet by
a remote instructor, reducing the need for instructor travel.
Additionally, training sessions can be completed as they fit within employees' schedules, eliminating the need to arrange
large group sessions.
Trainers set up "real world" situations including
a variety of potential hazards - even gas explosions - providing
a level of realistic training that would be physically impossible,
environmentally detrimental, unsafe, or cost-prohibitive to create
in any other format.
return to Industrial Safety >>