The creation of a training model to support decision-making of emergency management practitioners: a design research study

Errors in decision-making worldwide highlight the need for training in decision-making. The unpredictability and complexity of emergencies makes training in every possible emergency impossible. Rather than training in specific examples of major emergency events, training in a decision-making skill set will provide a method of response that will be transferable to all emergencies. Various scenarios will support the training as a decision needs a context for application. The resulting educational tool will focus on emergency services at the strategic and tactical levels in the response stage of an emergency. The continual engagement of stakeholder should result in a purpose-built training course. Design science research approach will be utilised, investigating connections between theories of cognitive load and expert performance. Key aspects of the developed training course will include the concepts of metrics, deliberate practice and proficiency based progression, to ensure an appropriate training programme rather than a mere educational experience.