%0 Journal Article
%T Virtual training environments for major incident response planning in UK gas infrastructure
%J International journal of disaster resilience in the built environment
%D 2018
%A Rogage, Kay
%V 9
%N 2
%P 130-144
%X This paper aims to evaluate a virtual training environment for testing UK gas pipeline emergency response plans.       Design/methodology/approach      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 by 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.       Findings      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.       Research limitations/implications      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.       Originality/value      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.   Keywords:     Emergency response planning, Emergency response training, Gas infrastructure, Major incidents, Multi-agency response, Virtual training environment; Pipeline transportation<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Emerald Group Publishing
%@ 1759-5908
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2017-0007