Exercise Design for FEMA Professional Development Series

1. Exercise Design Taken from FEMA Professional Development Series

2. Welcome Administrative Items: -Breaks -Lunch -Cell phones -Fire / Severe Weather / Evac Procedures

3. Introductions • 30 seconds or less • Name • Organization • Role • Exercise experience • Types of exercises conducted, participated in, etc.

4. Requires participants to function in the same capacity as they would in a real event Promotes preparedness Tests policies and plans Trains personnel Exercise A focused practice activityusing a simulated situation

5. Identify the five major accomplishments in designing and implementing an exercise. Define the purpose of the four exercise documents. Unit Objectives

6. Describe and apply the eight exercise design steps. Explain the purposes and characteristics of tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises. Compare and contrast the design considerations for tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises. Course Objectives

7. Identify the tasks involved in a systematic exercise evaluation process. Describe the purpose, benefits, and potential sources of exercise enhancements. Design and implement a small functional exercise using the eight-step design process. Course Objectives

8. Unit 1: Course Introduction Unit 2: The Comprehensive Exercise Program Unit 3: The Exercise Process Unit 4: Exercise Design Steps Unit 5: The Tabletop Exercise Unit 6: The Functional Exercise Unit 7: The Full-Scale Exercise Course Content

9. Unit 8: Exercise Evaluation Unit 9: Exercise Enhancements Unit 10: Designing and Implementing a Functional Exercise Unit 11: Course Summary Course Content

10. UAL 232 crash: Problems revealed in full-scale exercise had been corrected Loma Prieta earthquake: Effective response was preceded by earthquake exercise Why Exercise?

11. Oklahoma City bombing: “If an integrated emergency management system is to be utilized and effective in future disasters, all levels of government must be on the same page of the book.” Why Exercise?

12. 2000 Denver building collapse scenario preceded 2001 World Trade Center collapse. Why Exercise

13. Provides individual training Leads to system improvement Benefits of Exercising What are some specific reasons to conduct exercises?

14. FEMA and other agencies providing Federal funds Nuclear Regulatory Commission SARA Title III (chemical facilities) Licensing of public facilities (e.g., airports, hospitals) OSHA FINRA, SEC Regulatory Requirements

15. Alert Notification (Emergency Response) Warning (All personnel) Communications Coordination and Control Emergency Public Information Damage Assessment Functions

16. Public Works/Engineering Transportation Resource Management Continuity of Government Continuity of Operations (Organization) Functions

17. In Unit 1, we: Previewed the course. Considered benefits gained from exercising and reasons to exercise. Completed a needs assessment. Unit Summary Next: The Comprehensive Exercise Program

18. Unit 2: The Comprehensive Exercise Program

19. Identify the basic components of a comprehensive exercise program. Explain the importance of designing a comprehensive exercise program to meet the needs of your organization or community. Unit Objectives

20. Broad commitment: Multiple groups involved in planning, preparation, and execution. Careful planning: Each exercise carefully planned to achieve identified goals. Increasing complexity: Increasingly complex exercises build on each other until mastery is achieved. Progressive Exercising Success Breeds Success!

21. Organization decides Participants also determined by nature and size of exercise Tabletop—Key decision makers Functional—Particular functions Full-scale—All functions, key personnel. Who Participates?

22. 1. Orientation seminar 2. Drill 3. Tabletop exercise 4. Functional exercise 5. Full-scale Types of Exercise Activities Theoretical Simple Narrow Inexpensive Complex Broad Costly Realistic

23. An overview or introduction Familiarizes participants with roles, plans, procedures, or equipment Can also be used to resolve questions of coordination and assignment of responsibilities Orientation Seminar

24. Be creative: Use varied methods. Make the session interactive. Plan ahead: Do not try to “wing it.” Be ready to facilitate: Help participants stay focused. Keep things positive and moving along. Conducting an Orientation

25. A coordinated, supervised exercise activity normally used to test a single specific operation or function No coordination, no EOC Purpose: Perfect one small part of response plan, help prepare for more extensive exercises Drill

26. 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. Conducting a Drill

27. Facilitated analysis of an emergency situation Informal, stress-free environment Designed to elicit constructive discussion Participants resolve problems based on existing plans and identify needed changes Tabletop Exercise

28. Fully simulated interactive exercise that tests the capability of an organization to respond to a simulated event Tests multiple functions in a coordinated response Time-pressured Realistic simulation Functional Exercise

29. Simulates a real event as closely as possible Evaluates operational capability of emergency management systems in a highly stressful environment Requires mobilization of all resources Should test and evaluatemost functions of the plan Full-Scale Exercise

30. Built by a team Based on operating plan Involves: Analysis of capabilities and costs. Scheduling. Public relations. Development of long-term plan. Provides basis for individual exercise design Building an Exercise Program

31. Organizational program: All departments and major functions. Vendors, external entities. Planning Team

32. Team organization Goal setting: Long-term goals, mission statement Sequence and scheduling: Plan series of exercises to meet goals of all participating entities. Organize exercises into progressive sequence. Develop time schedule. Planning Tasks

33. Timeframe Problem statement Long-range goal(s) Functional objectives Schedule Exercise descriptions: Type of exercise Participants Purpose Rationale Plan Elements

34. In Unit 2, we: Discussed the characteristics of and types of activities in a comprehensive exercise program. Reviewed the main tasks in building an exercise program. Initiated a comprehensive exercise program plan. Unit Summary Next: The Exercise Process

35. Unit 3: The Exercise Process

36. Identify the five major accomplishments in designing and implementing an exercise. Describe the organization of an exercise design team. Define the purpose of the four exercise documents. Unit Objectives

37. Three ways to visualize: Organized by task sequence Organized by task categories and phase Organized by major accomplishments Exercise Process: The Big Picture

38. Major Task Accomplishments 1. Establishing the base 5. Exercise followup 2. Exercise development 4. Exercise critique and evaluation 3. Exercise conduct

39. Process applies to: All types and levels of exercises. Any size jurisdiction. Any type of organization. Flexibility is the key: Each task must be designed, tailored, and applied in a way that suits your objectives and capabilities. Using the Exercise Process

40. 1. Review the current plan. 2. Conduct a needs assessment. 3. Assess capability to conduct an exercise. 4. Define the scope. 5. Select the exercise type. 6. Address costs and liabilities. 7. Develop a statement of purpose. 8. Gain support and announce the exercise. Task 1: Establishing the Base

41. 1. Assess needs. 2. Define scope. 3. Write a statement of purpose. 4. Define objectives. 5. Compose a narrative. 6. Write major and detailed events. 7. List expected actions. 8. Prepare messages. Task 2: Exercise Development

42. To conduct a successful exercise: Be clear. Sustain action. Foster realism. Establish timelines. Review emergency call-off procedures. Capitalize on problemsituations. Task 3: Exercise Conduct

43. Evaluate how well the objectives have been achieved. Extent and depth of evaluation is determined by participating organizations. Critique and report: Analyze results and giverecommendations for addressing deficiencies. Task 4: Evaluation and Critique

44. Getting full benefit from an exercise requires following up on evaluation recommendations. Assign responsibility. Monitor progress. Complete the cycle: Build testing of improvements into the next exercise. Task 5: Exercise Followup

45. When was your last exercise? What exercise experience is available? How much preparation and development time can be devoted? What skills can people provide? What physical facilities are available? What communication facilities and systems are available? What attitudes can you expect from leaders? Assessing Capability

46. Cost items: Salaries Contract services Equipment and materials Fuel Miscellaneous items Other considerations: Reimbursement for overtime? Who foots the bill? Exercise responsibilities covered in job descriptions? Routine exercise costs recognized by leadership? Injury and damage covered by insurance? Costs and Liabilities

47. Gaining support of the highest manager / leader gets participant cooperation. To gain official support: Seek support for entire exercise program. Protect the organization. “Sell” the process. Announce the exercise. Gaining Support

48. Use the needs assessment, capability analysis, purpose statement, and objectives as sales tools. Present the exercise concept, including: Need for the exercise. Organizational capability. Type of exercise. Scope and purpose ofthe exercise. Selling the Process

49. Is responsible for entire development process Should be someone who: Can devote significant time. Is familiar with the emergency plan. Knows the participating organizations. Is NOT a key operational member. Exercise Design Team Leader ?

50. Determine exercise objectives. Tailor the scenario. Develop the sequence of events and associated messages. Assist in development and distribution of pre-exercise materials. Help conduct pre-exercise training sessions. May act as simulators or controllers. Design Team Responsibilities