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

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.