Drills…..The Forgotten Exercise Activity …..Not Really.

1. Drills…..The Forgotten Exercise Activity • …..Not Really.

2. Discussion Based Operations Based Building-Block Approach

3. Most Familiar Exercise Types • Tabletop Exercise (Discussion Based Exercise) • Functional Exercise (Operations Based Exercise) • Full-Scale Exercise (Operations Based Exercise)

4. Tabletop Exercise • Discussion based exercise (i.e. talking not doing) • Facilitated analysis of an emergency situation • Informal, stress-free environment • Designed to elicit constructive discussion • Participants resolve problems based on existing plans and identifying needed changes

5. Functional Exercise • Fully simulated interactive exercise that tests the capability of an organization to respond to a simulated incident • Involves no movement of equipment • Tests multiple functions in a coordinated response (EOC environment) • Events are projected through a scripted exercise scenario • Time-pressured • Realistic simulation

6. Full-Scale Exercise • Simulates a real incident as closely as possible • Evaluates the operational capability of emergency management systems in a highly stressful environment • Requires mobilization of multiple resources and organizations (e.g., law enforcement, fire, EMS, EMA) • Players respond as if it were an actual incident, with minimal interference from controllers or evaluators • Should test and evaluatemost functions of the plan

7. Then What Is a Drill? • Operations based exercise activity • Not a tabletop • Not a functional • Not a full-scale • A DRILL!

8. Drills • Have a narrow focus and are conducted in a training environment • A coordinated, supervised exercise activity normally used to test a single specific operation or function/capability • No coordination, no EOC • Involve equipment and personnel in a realistic environment • Purpose: Perfect one small part of a response plan and help prepare for more extensive exercises

9. Conducting a Drill • Prepare: Review operational procedures and safety precautions beforehand • Set the stage: Present purpose, objectives, scenario • Monitor the action: Intervene if necessary to keep the drill on track

10. Who Is Involved in a Drill? • Players • Actors (limited) • Controllers • Evaluators • Observers/VIPs

11. Other Considerations • Should provide designated area for response operations during exercise play • Weather conditions • Date and time • Exercise date and time affect exercise play • Population demographics • Weekday versus weekend • Morning versus night • Lessons Learned: • Focus more on the training aspects of doing it right. Repeat if necessary.

12. Sample Drill Site

13. Logistics • Logistical considerations for Drills include: • Venue • Restrooms • Water and food • Communications • Videotaping (Training) • Props and devices • Site security • Safety

14. Examples of Drills • Notification • Communications • Evacuation (fire) • Shelter-in-Place (tornado) • Lockdown (active shooter) • Decontamination • Triage • Crime scene preservation • Threat awareness (recognition)

15. Questions/Comments

16. Darren Price, MEP Exercise Program Manager Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2855 West Dublin Granville Road Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 799-3660 deprice@dps.state.oh.us Contact Information