Immersive training evolves

Editorial and photography: Jesse Wray-McCann

Counter terrorism experts have gathered at the Victoria Police Academy for a virtual training scenario based around a bomb scene examination.

Not only has the exercise brought together specialists from across Victoria Police, but thanks to the organisation’s new, state-of-theart immersive learning system, they are linked in with their counterparts from other jurisdictions around Australia and New Zealand.

Acting Inspector Chris Price of Victoria Police’s Simulated and Immersive Learning Unit said the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee’s real-time exercise was just the beginning of what is possible with the Avalanche TTX (tabletop exercise) system.

“The exercise was run from Queensland, but they had participants from all around Australia taking part in it all at the same time,” A/Insp Price said.

“We hosted the Victorian contingent here at the Academy and we had arson chemists, bomb techs, bomb scene examiners and more.

“The new immersive learning system really opens us up to not only connect with other police jurisdictions across Australia, but globally as well for joint-agency exercises, because a lot of organisations around the world use it.”

Avalanche TTX has replaced the long-serving Hydra as Victoria Police’s primary system for delivering immersive, discussion-style exercises to recruits, police, protective services officers, police custody officers and Victorian Public Service employees.

The multi-room audio-visual system is used to train and test participants’ decision making by immersing them in a scenario through videos, audio clips, paper documents and role playing.

Some of the exercises for which the system is used include scenarios for active shooters, hostage incidents, vehicle pursuits and bushfires.

The new immersive learning system means members can train for real-world scenarios without real-world consequences.

Photo: Jesse Wray-McCann

The system facilitators can speed up or slow down each exercise to customise the training experience.

People Development Command Assistant Commissioner Kevin Casey said the primary Avalanche TTX facility is based at the Academy but, for the first time, this kind of immersive learning will be available in country areas.

“Regional members will also benefit from the portable kits, with the same immersive learning opportunities now available without travel to Melbourne,” AC Casey said.

“This is important because it means we are continuing to enhance the ongoing training of our regional members but they can spend more time in their communities on the frontline without the need to travel to Melbourne.

“It’s real-world training without real-world consequences, and it prepares our members for emergencies and critical incidents when effective decision making is crucial.”

A/Insp Price said the new immersive learning system is the product of an Australian company, which has presented many benefits.

“We’re finding that we're getting really quick and constant updates from the provider to improve and tailor the system for our specific needs here at Victoria Police,” he said.