EDITORS NOTE: Thanks to the Washington State Patrol for giving Chinook Observer reporter Kevin Heimbigner a unique behind-the-scenes look at simulator training at the patrols Vancouver facility. This first-person story is the result of Heimbigners experience.

VANCOUVER A semi-truck has overturned on what looks like Interstate-90 by Moses Lake. I am behind the wheel of a 2009 Crown Victoria Washington State Patrol (WSP) cruiser and Im stopped at a rest area. I turn the key to the car, signal left, and give it gas. Just then a woman exits from the cab of a log truck and walks directly in front of me.

I hit the brake pedal, but nothing happens. Learn how much pressure you have to use to operate the gas and brakes, the supportive voice of instructor Neil Hoffberger says as I avoid running over the pedestrian. I am in the WSPs simulator at District V headquarters in Vancouver as guest of Corporal Mark Lewis, Hoffberger, and public information officer Ryan Tanner.

Sgt. Brad Moon, secretary Nikki Footh of Naselle and Freddy Williams have helped set up the simulation and I have ridden from Naselle with trooper Lonnie Eaton, who has come for his two-year training, review and assessment  on Monday, July 18.  

Clear the intersection, Hoffberger instructs during another scenario. I am on a two-lane street in what is Salt Lake City as the simulator was built by the Utah company, Military Professional Resource Inc. All three lanes are blocked, including the left-hand turn lane by a city bus. Thinking he means Go, I proceed into oncoming traffic and get a glimpse of something green between the cars stopped on H Street. 

I brake hard. The green car turns and collides head on with my stopped cruiser. He could have stopped, I think. The simulator gives a hard bump very similar to a low-impact collision and the steering wheel is involuntarily yanked from my grip due to the impact.

Oops, Hoffberger says. Proceed with your call.

Somewhat mastering the slower-than-usual response of the brakes and accelerator and the hair-trigger steering wheel, I manage to complete two city simulations without further incident. On the Utah freeway near Walden I hit speeds of 104 miles an hour, but it doesnt feel like it. I avoid a taxi that abruptly pulls in front of me as I proceed down the right shoulder toward the overturned semi.

My siren is off, lights on as I pass on the right. Good, a person hears a siren they immediately think to turn to the right and into you, Hoffberger praises. A computer has recorded my every move and my three scenarios could be reviewed in detail.

So realistic, it makes trooper woozy

Trooper Eaton has flawlessly gone through the same set of simulations and he has viewed a series of three videos, fulfilling his duties for another two years. The first time I felt sick, but didnt get sick, Eaton says. I had a headache afterwards the first time, but today the training went fine, Sgt. Moon radios Eaton as he goes by us near Kelso after also completing the training earlier that morning. All seven troopers and Sgt. Moon will complete the exercise.

The simulated training saves the WSP between $850,000 and $1 million each year because officers dont have to go to the academy in Shelton and that doesnt even include the cost of the occasional fender bender, Lewis explains. This training is more about officer choices and not about driving skill. We began training in Port Angeles in February and after going around the state we will finish in Vancouver July 30. We work with up to 15 officers a day.

Tanner says, We have almost 700 WSP troopers and others who we serve. The advantage is that every officer is put in consistent situations so we can compare results. We can also be very flexible by changing road or weather conditions such as having a sheet of ice in a snow storm. We can cause an engine failure or a flat tire. It can be night or day and we can change the console to fit the type of patrol car the officer drives.

They still learn on the road

The simulation does not replace actual driving practice at the WSP Academy. We use our own patrol cars for much of the high-speed and other training. The course is where you really learn and practice driving skills, Eaton says. For the pit maneuver we use a special car with a reinforced bumper. Being in the car that is spun out is quite an experience, too. I have never used the maneuver on duty, but I know it works from our training.

Tanner says of the simulator, One officer actually got sick and lost it and many feel motion sickness. Lewis explains, We call it simulator adaptation syndrome (SAS). Your mind sees one thing and your body feels another. We keep a fan on and low light to minimize the effects of SAS. 

Trooper Eaton is a veteran of 21 years in the WSP, with eight being served near Kalama  and then 13 years in Naselle. He is a Naselle High School, Eastern Washington University and WSP Academy graduate. Before getting in his 2005 Ford Explorer, he and I sign about two dozen liability releases. 

He shows me how to ignite and set flares, how to use the radio, where the medicine kit is, and how to get access to the two loaded guns that are secured just inches from where we sit. He reminds me of the seatbelt and I realize I may be left behind if a high-speed chase develops or that I may be called on as a witness.

The only incident in our 200-mile trip is when an out-of-state car passes us at 80 miles per hour on I-5. Eaton immediately moves to the fast lane. The drivers brake lights come on and he signals to the middle lane. Eaton follows. I can almost feel the hairs on the back of the drivers neck stand up. After a mile at a legal 65 speed Eaton passes the chastised offender and we proceeded to Vancouver. 

Eaton completes his session by viewing a video of an officer killed while on duty. About 40 percent of all troopers who die in accidents in the U.S. werent wearing seat belts, Eaton says with emotion. How did you do on the machine? he asks me.

Good, Hoffberger concludes.  

I ask if this means I can drive home. Uh, no, Eaton answers quickly, chuckling. 

I see how it is, you hit one green car and you probably wont even let me wear your hat? I joke.

Where do you want to eat lunch? he replies, showing the people skills that cant be simulated.