In the Emergency Management Network Leaders and Innovators interview series, Todd DeVoe speaks with Arthur Simental, a certified emergency manager and game creator, about an innovative training board game for emergency managers. The guest shares their journey into emergency management, which began after high school with an introduction to an exercise in Colorado Springs. Inspired by disaster movies and exercises, they developed a passion for emergency management and training.

The conversation covers creating a unique board game that fills a gap in emergency management training by being more immersive and engaging than traditional tabletop exercises. The game focuses on ESF (Emergency Support Function) roles, simulating real-life scenarios like wildfires, resource allocation, and political challenges. It introduces an element of "chaos" through cards, keeping the game dynamic and unpredictable, reflecting the nature of real emergencies. Additionally, the game is designed to be cost-effective, making it accessible to smaller emergency management programs.

The game also emphasizes team-based wins, as success in emergencies relies on collaboration. The guest highlights how they sought to create a tool that trains emergency managers and educates the public on emergency management processes. They discuss the importance of balancing fun, replayability, and authenticity while advancing emergency management training methods through both traditional and potentially digital platforms in the future.

Link to Game

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthursimental/

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