# Immersive Modular Preparedness Intelligent Tutor (IMPRINT)

> **NIH NIH R43** · CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, INC. · 2020 · $85,104

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Instructors must deliver engaging, realistic, and immersive, tabletop simulations at the conclusion of
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) recertification to support first responder
safety and adherence to protocol in the field. This exercise often burdens instructors to deliver a paper or
PowerPoint simulation that, although based on real events, fails to meaningfully engage or immerse trainees.
When trainees fail to engage they are putting themselves and others at risk by decreasing their ability to adhere
to protocol when responding to Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) incidents in the field. Therefore, emergency
response training organizations require a cost-effective training solution that increases the realism and
authenticity of tabletop simulations to better equip trainees to execute HAZWOPER safely and effectively when
they are in the field.
 Charles River Analytics, in partnership with Lt. Michael Kates of the Boston Fire Department, proposes
to prototype Immersive Modular Preparedness Intelligent Tutor (IMPRINT). IMPRINT aims to be a robust,
commercial, portable adaptive VR solution that will be complimented by an intelligent virtual training system
and development framework that will actively improve trainees’ ability to perform HAZWOPER procedures
within a wide range of realistic field scenarios. IMPRINT will be an untethered intelligent tutoring system (ITS)
using the Oculus Quest VR headset to provide an immersive, virtual training experience. With IMPRINT,
trainees can apply complex, dangerous procedures in a safe, controlled environment through guided
immersive complex procedure rehearsal. Results from this Phase I effort will result in a prototype system that
will complement existing training, and be evaluated for skill transfer under a follow-on Phase II effort. This effort
will extend our existing commercial solutions with advanced intelligent tutoring and VR simulation to provide
support for complex Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) via high-fidelity, immersive VR classroom
training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987185
- **Project number:** 1R43ES031818-01
- **Recipient organization:** CHARLES RIVER ANALYTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Austin Crumpton
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $85,104
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987185

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987185, Immersive Modular Preparedness Intelligent Tutor (IMPRINT) (1R43ES031818-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987185. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*