Building just-in-time CBRN training for Air Force emergency responders

PowerTrain partnered with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Emergency Management Division to design and develop the CBRN Field Craft training suite for Air Force Emergency Responders preparing for CBRN Validation Exercise (VALEX) events. The goal was to create practical, accessible refresher resources that could help personnel quickly revisit critical knowledge before applying it in the field.

Bridging the gap between training and real-world response

Airmen receive extensive CBRN training throughout their careers, but there is often a gap between formal instruction and the moment those skills are needed during exercises or deployment activities. AFCEC needed a way to reinforce essential knowledge with concise, effective tools that could support just-in-time review across a wide range of topics. The solution also needed to be delivered quickly enough to support an upcoming VALEX field training exercise.

Turning complex CBRN content into practical field support

To meet that need, PowerTrain designed a multi-format training suite built around real-world application and accessibility. The suite transformed complex technical material into short, actionable resources that personnel could use to refresh their knowledge efficiently. Content covered critical areas including pre-planning, personal protective equipment, equipment fundamentals, detection and decontamination principles, and emergency management tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Building 38 performance support tools for the moment they’re needed

The final suite included 38 unique, mission-aligned performance support tools developed to elevate preparedness for future VALEX evaluation exercises. These resources included traditional videos, custom animations, procedural checklists, paper-based job aids, and reference materials designed to support Airmen in the CBRN operational environment. Together, they created a dynamic repository of microlearning resources intended to complement prior instruction and provide a reliable source of refresher training when time and clarity mattered most.

Designed for the field, aligned to the mission

PowerTrain worked closely with the client and subject matter experts to ensure that each topic was addressed with the right level of depth and in the right format. Because the project required dozens of unique topics to be delivered in an easily digestible way within a short time frame, the team used an agile ADDIE-based development process to keep production moving while maintaining quality and consistency. PowerTrain also created custom branded templates so the entire suite would feel cohesive across formats and products.

Supporting readiness for VALEX and beyond

The CBRN Field Craft training suite was designed to do more than present information. It was built to support just-in-time performance, sustain operational readiness, and help Emergency Management personnel respond effectively when it matters most. By giving Airmen intuitive, on-demand resources they could use before exercises or operational activities, the project supported AFCEC’s broader training vision while making complex content more practical and usable in the field.

Recognized for instructional impact

The project received a Bronze in the 2025 Horizon Interactive Awards in the Instructional – Video category, recognizing the strength of the learning experience and the impact of the work.