Practicing for Real Life: Reality Based Scenario Training

Over the last 20 years we have provided training to first responders in a variety of topics, capacities, environments, and situations. As the trainings evolved in both scope and intensity, we realized the strong need to practice the skills that were presented. Initially, the "practice time" was simple and direct, usually completed in a short activity within a classroom setting. Almost immediately, the feedback regarding the training focused on the "exercises" used to solidify the concepts. The praise was positive and consistent, so we decided to dedicate 30 percent of all our training time to these exercises. That decision is when scenario-based learning was born for us. The scenario-based approach became our focal point and the median for fully understanding class material. We hired actors and trained them to play roles. The roles were defined by the scenarios that we wrote and revised. Facilitators were then trained to use these tools to emphasize concepts presented in class. The classes then took on a life of their own and the scenarios became the stars. Every training required new and specific scenarios to meet the training objectives. In this workbook you will learn how to set-up and facilitate de-escalation based scenarios for real-world training. This brief intro to the concepts gives a structure which provides a platform for adult learning that is unparalleled. Our struggles will now be your advantage. There are over 175 pages of detailed scenarios with multiple variations written for law enforcement, fire, hospital, paramedic/EMT, dispatch/911 operator, school-based situations, and general civilian interactions. They have been created and revised to allow you to hit the ground running. No longer will you require days of pre-planning. With this book you have the scenarios to focus your time on actual training. The scenarios are designed to provide guidance and structure to your training so that attendees gain the most in a short period of time.

As a professional in a high-risk work environment, have you ever wanted to really learn how to apply what you have just read or been taught? Have you ever wanted to spend real time practicing a skill in order to master it? As an instructor, have you ever thought about ways to really challenge your students, and force them to apply the skills you have been working so hard to create? As a training coordinator, how do we create muscle-memory for cognitive and verbal-based skill-sets? Over the last 20 years we have had the opportunity to provide training to first responders in a variety of topics, capacities, environments, and situations. As the trainings evolved and grew in both scope and intensity, we realized that there was a strong need to practice the information and the material that was presented. Initially, the "practice time" was simple and direct, usually completed in a short activity within a classroom setting. Almost immediately, the feedback we got regarding the training focused on the "exercises" used to solidify the concepts. The praise was overwhelming positive and consistent, so we decided to incorporate about 30 percent of all our training time to these supplemental exercises. That decision was when scenario-based learning was born for us. The scenario-based approach became our focal point for class objectives and the median for fully understanding class material. We started hiring actors and training them to play roles. The roles were defined by the scenarios that we wrote and revised. Facilitators were then trained to use these new tools to emphasize the concepts presented in class. The classes then took on a life of their own and the scenarios became the stars. Every training required new and specific scenarios to meet the training objectives. In this workbook you will learn how to set-up and facilitate verbal-de-escalation based scenarios for real-world training. From this brief introduction to the concepts, you will be given a structure which will allow you to provide a platform for adult learning that is unparalleled. Our trial and tribulations over the last 20 years will now be your advantage. In this workbook there are over 175 pages of detailed scenarios with multiple variations written for law enforcement, fire, hospital, paramedic/EMT, dispatch/911 operator, school-based situations, and general civilian interactions. They have been created and revised to allow you to hit the ground running. No longer will you require days of pre-planning for your event. With this book you have the scenarios to focus your time on actual training. The scenarios have been designed to provide guidance and structure to your training experiences so that attendees gain the most in a short period of time.

Dr. Rodgers is a public safety psychologist who has been practicing in the Southwest for over 20 years. He has a master's and a doctorate degree in clinical forensic psychology from the University of Denver. He attended a police academy while in graduate school and he is currently licensed as a Psychologist in both New Mexico and Colorado. He has been coaching baseball, football, and wrestling since 2004 and he and his wife have been running the non-profit Blue Thunder Foundation since 2018. Dr. Rodgers has been the Agency Director for Public Safety Psychology Group since 2004. At the present time, he works as a consultant/psychologist for over 140 local, state, and federal law enforcement, fire, dispatch, paramedic/EMT, and corrections agencies. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (as a member of the ethics committee for the police psychologist section), the National Sheriff's Association (as a board member of the psychology section), and the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology. Dr. Rodgers is a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Phoenix and he has also taught at the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. In 2016, Dr. Rodgers was awarded a Diplomate in Police Psychology from the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology. He was also appointed in 2014 to the NM Sexual Offender Management Board. In 2014 he was also featured in a TEDx talk on police psychology. Dr. Rodgers is extensively trained in hostage negotiations, crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and interview and interrogations, He is certified as a Master Professional Lecturer by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Training Academy.