The Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST) has issued new guidance for enhancing interoperability training. This guidance was produced through collaboration between researchers at the University of Liverpool and Lancaster University as part of the Psychology of Interoperability project.
The guidance highlights the significance of team training for fostering effective teamwork in the UK Emergency Services, with specific emphasis on improving interoperability between different response agencies. The results of a mixed-methods online survey indicate that live exercises and in-person training are considered the most effective methods for interoperability training. Conversely, participants did not find e-learning to be particularly useful.
The guidance outlines five critical requirements for practical interoperability team training, underlining the need for representative, realistic, and face-to-face training, emphasising sharing perspectives, awareness, and building relationships. The research concludes that future interoperability team training should be regular, interactive, practical, and social to bring about behavioural changes.