The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed TEST to train emergency preparedness and response partners on various roles and responsibilities that they might take on when responding to any incident. TEST is a collaborative game that bridges the gap between discussion and operational exercises. It uses narrative-based problems to foster teamwork, discuss resource management, and aid in understanding specific roles and responsibilities during an emergency.

How to use TEST

TEST can be used as a training and exercise tool, depending on the needs of the jurisdiction. It is aligned with adult learning principles and FEMA's Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) exercise design. Facilitators can modify objectives and gameplay to meet training and exercise requirements.

What's included

TEST toolkits include all game components, documentation (rulebook), and training materials.

This is a TEST: Community Reception Center (CRC)

This is a TEST CRC Edition can be used by preparedness staff to train and exercise on CRCs.

This is a TEST: Points of Dispensing (POD)

This is a TEST POD Edition can be used by preparedness staff to train and exercise on PODs.

Games can increase engagement and knowledge retention in emergency-preparedness trainings and exercises. CDC pilot-tested TEST CRC for community reception centers with jurisdictions around the country.

Participants (n=211) said:

The TEST format suited their learning style (93.8%).

The TEST format for learning could be beneficial for training others (97.6%)

TEST facilitates cooperation and collaboration (98.6%).

They would recommend TEST to a colleague (96.2%).

They were more prepared for a full-scale CRC exercise or radiation response (87.5%).

Group of public health staff playing TEST at a conference.

See TEST in Action‎

See how jurisdictions are using TEST for planning.

See how hospitals and public health are coming together to train with TEST.