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Documents & Resources

Simulations provide documents and resources that help you make informed decisions. Learn to find and use them effectively.

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Resource Library

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Accessing Resources

1

Open Resources Panel

Click Resources icon/tab (usually bottom or side panel)
2

Browse or Search

Scroll through library or use search function
3

Select Document

Click to open in viewer or new tab
4

Review Content

Read relevant sections
5

Apply Information

Use in decision-making

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Document Types

Emergency Plans

Procedures, protocols, response plans

Contact Lists

Key personnel, stakeholders, vendors

Data & Reports

Statistics, analytics, status reports

Policies

Company policies, regulations, guidelines

Maps & Diagrams

Facility layouts, geographic maps, flowcharts

Communications

Templates, past messages, media kits

Technical Specs

System documentation, technical details

Reference Materials

Background info, best practices, guides

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Using Resources Effectively

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Strategic Document Use

Pre-Read
  • Review available documents at start
  • Identify emergency plans
  • Note where key info is located
  • Bookmark critical resources

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Search Strategies

Keyword Search:
  • Use terms from decision question
  • Try synonyms if first search fails
  • Use quotes for exact phrases
  • Filter by document type if available
Browsing:
  • Start with emergency/crisis plans
  • Check contact lists for stakeholder info
  • Review policies for compliance requirements
  • Maps for geographic context

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Resource Prioritization

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High-Value Documents

Focus on these first:
Emergency Response Plan: Your primary guide
Contact List: Know who to reach
Organization Chart: Understand roles
Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance
Communication Templates: Faster response

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When to Deep-Dive

Invest time reading thoroughly when:
  • Document directly answers decision question
  • You’re unfamiliar with procedures
  • Regulatory compliance required
  • Creating external communications
  • High-stakes decision

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When to Skim

Quick scan when:
  • General context only
  • Confirming what you already know
  • Peripheral information
  • Time-pressured decision

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Document Features

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Interactive Elements

Some documents may include:
  • Hyperlinks: Navigate to related sections
  • Search: Find specific terms within document
  • Annotations: Notes or highlights (if feature available)
  • Download: Save for offline reference

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Media Resources

Photos, Diagrams, Maps
  • Zoom for detail
  • Check caption for context
  • Note source and date
  • Use for spatial understanding

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Information Organization

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Note-Taking from Documents

Effective Notes: 
Document: Emergency Evacuation Plan

Key Points:
- Assembly Point: Parking Lot B
- Floor Wardens: Listed on page 3
- Accountability: Department leads check roster
- All-clear: Building manager authority only

Application:
- Use this for evacuation decision
- Contact floor wardens for status
- Ensure accountability process

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Creating Quick Reference

Personal Cheat Sheet: As you find useful info, jot down:
  • Key contacts with roles
  • Critical thresholds (e.g., “Evacuate if >100 ppm CO”)
  • Decision criteria
  • Procedures in brief

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Common Resource Challenges

  • Try different search terms
  • Browse by category
  • Check if referenced in timeline events
  • Ask AI mentor what type of resource might help
  • Use search within document
  • Check table of contents
  • Read summary/executive summary first
  • Scan headings for relevant sections
  • Check document dates (newer usually takes precedence)
  • Consider source authority
  • Look for updates or amendments
  • Note discrepancy in your decision rationale
  • Real crises often have information gaps
  • Make reasonable assumptions
  • Note what you don’t know
  • Proceed with available information

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Resource-Based Learning

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What Documents Teach

Different resource types develop different skills: Procedures → Process Following, Compliance Contact Lists → Stakeholder Mapping, Escalation Data/Reports → Data-Driven Decision-Making, Analysis Policies → Risk Management, Governance Maps → Spatial Reasoning, Geographic Context

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Connecting Resources to Decisions

Strong decision-making often involves:
  1. Identify Decision: What needs to be decided?
  2. Find Resource: Which document might help?
  3. Extract Info: What does it say?
  4. Apply: How does this inform the decision?
  5. Cite: Note that you used this resource
Example: 
Decision: Should we evacuate?

Resource: Emergency Evacuation Plan, Section 4

Info: "Evacuate if fire department advises, or if smoke/flames visible on multiple floors"

Application: Smoke confirmed on 2 floors per event feed → Meets evacuation criteria

Decision: Evacuate now (supported by company procedure)

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Next Steps

Making Decisions

Apply resource information to decisions

Timeline Events

Connect events to resources