FIGURE 1
Example of a TEST (Training and Exercise Simulation Tool) Community Reception Center (CRC) Player Mat
tion and pill dispensing at points of dispens- ing. CDC plans to continue to grow the TEST game series with new subjects and expansions to current games. CDC is currently develop- ing templates so that state and local agencies can adapt the game and modify the content to further meet their individual needs. For more information on This is a TEST, visit www.cdc.gov/readiness/php/testgame/ index.html or contact testgame@cdc.gov. Corresponding Author: Lauren Finklea, MS, DrPH, Health Physicist, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford High- way NW, Atlanta, GA 30084. Email: lna8@cdc.gov References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). This is a TEST: Community Recep- tion Center (CRC) . https://www.cdc.gov/ radiation-emergencies/php/crctest/ Copper, F.A., Mayigane, L.N., Pei, Y., Charles, D., Nguyen, T.N., Vente, C., de Vázquez, C.C., Bell, A., Njenge, H.K., Kandel, N., Ho, Z.J.M., Omaar, A., de la Rocque, S., & Chungong, S. (2020). Simulation exer- cises and after-action reviews—Analysis of outputs during 2016–2019 to strengthen global health emergency preparedness and response. Globalization and Health , 16 , Article 115. https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12992-020-00632-w Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2024). Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program . https://www.fema.gov/ emergency-managers/national-prepared ness/exercises/hseep Finklea, L., Go, R., & Houghton, E. (2024). Evaluating reception center models for Photo 1. Public health professionals playing TEST (Training and Exercise Simulation Tool) Community Reception Center. Photo courtesy of the National Association of County and City Health Ocials.
Note. The player mat highlights what actions the player can take from the perspective of the specified role.
Building in Inclusivity Along with collaboration, fostering awareness of population needs was a major objective. This focus was done in several ways through- out the game. One way was to acknowledge that dierent people have dierent needs and accommodations—both visible and invisible. Players would draw problem cards that pro- vided short narrative text about the situation and then oer choices on how to respond (Figure 2). This process showed players the potential negative impact of not helping oth- ers. Scenarios and prompts were drawn from real-world responses and stories from the field. Evaluation and Improvements TEST received positive praise during the large exercise in Texas. Due to its success, CDC
continued to refine and develop it, piloting it around the country to ensure it continued to meet the needs of state and local response organizations (Photo 1). When evaluating the game, CDC brought together representatives of dierent profes- sions including public health, emergency management, and environmental health, and with people who had varying levels of comfort with board games. Evaluation data showed that regardless of profession or enjoyment of board games, players found TEST to be engaging and would highly recommend it to a colleague. Looking Ahead Due to the success of TEST CRC Edition, CDC has since developed another version. The sec- ond version focuses on vaccine administra-
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January/February 2025 • Journal of Environmental Health
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