WISER Training Resources

Overview
Instructions
Package Contents
Requirements
Feedback
Disclaimer

Overview

Trainers are invited to download ready-made educational materials for training groups of responders on the usage of WISER. In addition to a module that provides an introduction to WISER, scenario-based modules are available so a training unit can be built which meets the needs, interests, and time constraints of your department or organization.

The provided materials consist of various "modules", where each module consists of a presentation, a script, and a handout. The presentation, which is run with Microsoft PowerPoint, includes embedded video or screen shots that demonstrate the use of WISER. The script and handout are Microsoft Word documents. Trainers can modify these materials as appropriate for their particular needs.

A single download is available that includes the module introducing WISER and the scenario-based modules that have been produced so far.

Instructions

Beneath the folder in which the downloaded WISER training package is extracted, folders will exist for each of the training modules. A module is defined as a PowerPoint presentation, a script document, and a handout document.

The expected use of these documents is as follows.

• A copy of the handout document is distributed to trainees prior to the presentation.
• Using an overhead projector, the trainer will step through the PowerPoint presentation. The script document provides a script for the trainer to follow as they do so. For each slide, it contains details to which they should speak.
• The script document also contains discussion points for the end of the presentation.
• The handout document may include additional items for the trainee to consider and try on his own.

Note that the screen shots and videos in the presentations demonstrate WISER using a Pocket PC. However, the WISER user interface is very similar for each of the supported platforms, so users should be able to easily translate these Pocket PC demonstration to their platform of choice.

Live demonstrations of WISER (such as with an overhead projector) can be most easily performed using WISER for Windows. WebWISER is also an easy option if an Internet connection is available, but note that the ERG tool is not currently part of WebWISER. If there is a preference to demonstrate with a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone, a Windows Mobile emulator can be installed that permits simulation of these devices on a PC. Instructions are included in the WISER on the Windows Mobile Emulator document included in this package. Demonstrating with WISER for Palm OS is the least desirable, as it does not include several features (such as tools) that are available on the other platforms. However, if it is important to provide live demonstrates for Palm OS users, then a Palm OS emulator is available as well; contact us for details.

Trainers are free to modify the modules to suite their own desires and needs. In doing so, they should consider the following:

• Doing so may require the ability to create videos and/or take screen shots of WISER.
• The Authoring Notes document included in this package contains notes to be aware of when modifying the modules. In particular, it discusses procedures for the embedded videos.
• The WISER-Scenarios document included in this package contains other scenarios that may be candidates for building WISER training modules.

Package Contents

The following is a summary of the contents of the WISER training package.

• WISER: Basic Training - Intro
  • Summary: An introduction to WISER. Includes background, history, an overview, and demonstrations of the key features of WISER.
• WISER: Basic Training - ERG
  • Summary: An overview of the integration of Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) data in WISER, and the "tool" which provides a complete electronic version of the ERG.
• Scenario: Overturned Tanker
  • Summary: Known substance look-up, using WISER to locate specific information relevant to the challenges of the scene.
  • Scenario: You are the first responder on the scene of an overturned tanker truck carrying Isopropyl Alcohol (UN 1219). The tank is leaking, there is a small fire caused by the engine, and the driver is suffering effects of inhalation of the chemical.
  • Key Features: Look up the substance by name or ID and locate critical information including protective distance, fire fighting procedures, treatment for the driver, and the corresponding ERG guide. The user profile feature makes such prominent information more readily accessible.
• Scenario: Mall Bomb
  • Summary: An unknown substance scenario that demonstrates identification based on properties and symptoms.
  • Scenario: Responders are presented with the aftermath of a chemical bomb at a busy shopping mall.
  • Key Features: Responders will learn how to identify an unknown substance based on its physical properties and health effects. This scenario also highlights triage tools that are available within WISER.
• Scenario: Mobile Meth Lab
  • Summary: An unknown substance scenario that demonstrates identification based on substance categories as well properties and symptoms.
  • Scenario: Responders are presented with unknown substances retrieved from a vehicle that appears to be transporting materials to illegally produce methamphetamines (meth).
  • Key Features: Responders will learn how to identify an unknown substance based on its physical properties and health effects, and introduces how to use substance categories (e.g., the "Meth Lab" category) to further aid in identification.
• Scenario: Warehouse
  • Summary: An unknown substance scenario that demonstrates identification based on properties and symptoms, and then demonstrates techniques for further reducing the results list.
  • Scenario: Following an incident in a warehouse, a hazmat specialist is called in to identify the contents of leaking drums which have affected exposed workers.
  • Key Features: Responders will learn how to identify an unknown substance based on its physical properties and health effects. This scenario highlights techniques, such as grouping, that can be used to further reduce the list of possibilities beyond what results from the property and symptom inputs.
• Miscellaneous Documents
  • README.html - contains the above summary and notes about the use of these materials.
  • Authoring Notes.doc - notes to be aware of if modifying the modules. In particular, discusses procedures for the embedded video.
  • WISER on the Windows Mobile Emulator.doc - for those interested in demonstrating WISER on a Windows Mobile device, this document provides instructions for installing and using the Microsoft emulators, which can be used to simulate a mobile device on your laptop/desktop PC.
  • WISER-Scenarios.mdb - a Microsoft Access database containing descriptions of sample scenarios that could be used to create WISER training modules (some of which have been used above).
  • WISER-Scenarios.pdf - A printable document containing the scenarios of the above database. This document requires Adobe® Reader®, freely available at adobe.com.

Requirements

Viewing the contents of the training modules requires:

• Microsoft PowerPoint - for the presentations
• Microsoft Word - for the scripts and handouts
• Adobe Flash Player - required for Flash video included in the presentations; for details, see the "Authoring Notes" document included in the download, or the notes included at the end of the "script" documents in each module.

Feedback

After evaluating the available WISER training materials, we would greatly appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc., that you may have. Please do so by visiting the feedback page of the WISER web site. Thank you!

Disclaimer

The content of this training material is intended only to demonstrate data and features available in WISER, and is not intended to portray the accurate and appropriate protocols for handling the scenarios and substances included in the demonstrations.

The U.S. Government does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.