Controller and Evaluator Briefing

1. Controller and Evaluator Briefing [Exercise Name] [Date]

2. Welcome and Introductions

3. Meeting Agenda • Exercise Overview • Exercise Location and Area • Exercise Schedule • Exercise Scenario • Control Concepts • Exercise Controllers • Exercise Evaluators • Administrative Details • Conclusion

4. Exercise Objectives • [List exercise objectives.]

5. Exercise Players • [List participating hospitals, agencies and organizations.]

6. Safety • Safety is EVERYONE’S concern. • Safety concerns override exercise execution. • Be aware that operating in an operations-based exercise environment is inherently dangerous. • Controllers and evaluators must immediately inform the safety controller or senior controller of safety concerns. • Actual emergencies will be identified by the phrase “This is a real emergency.”

7. Weapons Policy • Personnel serving as exercise participants will NOT carry a loaded weapon within the confines of the exercise play area. • Authorized individuals may carry their weapon only after: • It has been properly cleared and rendered safe (i.e., no ammunition in chamber, cylinder, breach, or magazines) • The weapon has been marked or identified in a conspicuous manner (i.e., bright tape visible around the stock or holster) • Personnel providing exercise site security may carry loaded weapons.

8. Exercise Location and Area [Insert maps.]

9. Exercise Schedule [Insert exercise schedule.]

10. [Insert scenario overview here, including date, time, setting, incident, and weather, as appropriate.] Scenario

11. Exercise Artificialities • Artificialities and constraints, such as the exercise assembly area, may detract from realism. Some other artificialities include the following: • Surrogates may be playing in place of some key decisionmakers. • Real distances may be reduced to fit play location constraints. • The exercise will be played in real time. However, there may be some time jumps or acceleration to meet certain objectives.

12. Exercise Play • Exercise play will be on [date] from [time] to [time]. • Exercise play will take place at [exercise sites]. • Play will be restricted to the delineated areas surrounding [the exercise site].

13. Control Concepts

14. Controller Functions • Inject • Enforce • Report • Attend responder Hot Wash • Attend final Controller and Evaluator Debrief at [time] • Complete and turn in exercise documentation

15. Controller Responsibilities • Senior Controller • Monitors exercise progress and makes decisions regarding any deviations or changes • Coordinates any required modifications • Controller • Introduces, maintains, and coordinates exercise events in accordance with the Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) • Observes and reports exercise artificialities that interfere with realism • Additional information is listed in the Controller and Evaluator (C/E) Handbook.

16. Controller Guidelines • DO: • Deliver injects promptly as directed by the senior controller or exercise director • Notify the senior controller of events or need for changes • DO NOT: • Hold personal conversations with players • Provide extra or advance information to players • Prompt players (unless directed by the senior controller/lead exercise planner)

17. Documentation • Exercise Plan (ExPlan) • C/E Handbook • Guidelines • Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEGs) • MSEL • Timeline • Messages • Activity Log

18. Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) Timeline • [List high-level MSEL timeline information.]

19. Control and Observation Concept • Exercise conduct is the responsibility of the exercise director and senior controller. • Controllers and evaluators are organized by objective and location. • Experienced controllers are in key positions. • Observers and media personnel remain in designated area.

20. Control and Observation Guidelines • Coordinate activities with the exercise director, lead exercise planner, senior controller, and other controllers in your area. • Notify the lead exercise planner and/or senior controller of ANY problems related to safety or scenario play.

21. Exercise Evaluation

22. Evaluator Functions • Observe • Record key events and times as they occur • Report and elaborate • Collect information

23. Evaluator Responsibilities • Evaluate each assigned player area and objective. • Understand the exercise concept and scenario. • Know the procedures for the element being evaluated. • Inform the senior controller of problems related to exercise design. • Observe, record, and report participant actions. • Ensure collection of all evaluation data, EEGs, and materials after the exercise. • Additional information is listed in the C/E Handbook.

24. Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEGs) • EEGs will be used to track evaluation of the objectives. • The following target capabilities have been selected to be evaluated: • [List target capabilities.]

25. Evaluator Guidelines • DO: • Observe and record player activities • Document strengths and problem areas • Write legibly • DO NOT: • Leave your post at key times • Prompt players • Get in the way • Answer questions for players

26. Responder Deployment • Emergency equipment located in and dispatched from the exercise assembly area will be released according to Incident Command. • The deployment timetable is an estimate based on a real-time response to [incident site]. • The deployment timetable can be found in the C/E Handbook.

27. Exercise Communications • The controller/evaluator radio network is a designated channel to: • Report emergencies or safety issues • Report major timeline events • Acknowledge communication checks for timeline status • Please keep nonessential radio traffic to a minimum.

28. Exercise Identification Controllers [color] badges Evaluators [color] badges Support staff [color] badges Players [color] badges Observers [color] badges Media [color] badges Actors [color] symptomology tags

29. Administrative Details • Restrooms will be available. • Drinkable water will be located throughout the exercise site. • You may keep your hats. • After the Hot Wash, please return: • All badges • All documentation (EEGs/activity logs)

30. Final Reminders • Safety comes first. Use the phrase “This is a real-world emergency” when an emergency occurs. • Know your role and the scenario. • Do not prompt or get in the way of players. • Contact the exercise director and/or senior controller with any problems or questions.

31. Questions