Simulation Level-of-Detail and Timespan
Simulations can vary widely in terms of the detail you need to include for the target use and the audience.
| Sets & Reps | Multi-Decision Exercise | Full Scenario | |
| Description | Quick-turn, single interaction scenarios that build ‘muscle memory’, followed by feedback & critique. | Allow exercise to evolve after one or more decisions made and consequences begin to manifest. | From dispatch or on-scene arrival through command transfer or scenario completion. Once individual concepts and skills have been practiced, allow conditions to change, observing or evaluating the candidate’s actions and consequences of actions that permit planning and plan iteration |
| Objective | Develop critical thought processing and initial decision-making skills that are required for a safe and effective IAP. When students have demonstrated consistent performance on the stated objective, they are then exposed to full scenarios which allow all learned knowledge and skills to be demonstrated in combination. | Set of decisions resulting in action and consequence | Allowing sufficient time for plans to be developed and consequences to play out until successful or unsuccessful conclusion (for example, command relieved) |
| Duration | May be 5 minutes or less. | Should be less than 10 minutes. | May be up to 20 minutes or longer. |
| Views | Normally performed with single view scenarios, although “standard” multi-view scenarios can also be used. | Depends on the role of the student(s). For example, for Battalion Chief and Executive Officer students who typically remain at the Command Post or EOC, you would need a limited number of views. Alternatively, company officers and firefighters who need to visit several views (such as interiors) will need more views. | |