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Powerful Campus Tabletop Exercises. Dr. Victoria Calder Director Texas School Safety Center Texas State University. WHAT IS A TABLETOP EXERCISE?. Scenario-based discussion Explores effectiveness of emergency policies, plans, procedures Leads to action.
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Powerful Campus Tabletop Exercises Dr. Victoria Calder Director Texas School Safety CenterTexas State University
WHAT IS A TABLETOP EXERCISE? • Scenario-based discussion • Explores effectiveness of emergency policies, plans, procedures • Leads to action
What are the benefits and opportunities of tabletops? • Allows for testing multiple capabilities • Ability to “fast forward” • Low-stress learning experience • Vicarious learning for observers
What are the drawbacks of tabletop exercises? • Inability to gauge real-life obstacles • Loss of “adrenaline” of real-life or drill • Requires skilled facilitation
Who Are the Participants in a Tabletop Exercise? • Facilitator • Players • Evaluators • Observers
What are the “Rules of Play” in a school-based tabletop? • All actions are guided by School Board policy • Outside resources may assist • Injects to the scenario will be added during the exercise
What are the “Rules of Play” in a school-based tabletop? • Facilitator guides play • Evaluators assess response • Debriefing follows “play” • Participants share impressions
What is an example of a school-based tabletop? Large City High School Scenario
What are the preliminary steps in planning a tabletop? • Determine what needs to be assessed • Identify the criteria • Define the level of rigor • Define points of observation • Customize
What information should be captured? • Evaluator Forms • Hot Wash Forms • After-Action Reports
What are the key features of an Exercise Evaluation? Objective: Demonstrate the capability to respond to and recover from an intruder-on-campus emergency incident Criterion 1: Staff describes the steps to implement a campus lockdown Observation: Staff uses a clear message- “We are in Lockdown” --no Codes
What is a “Hot Wash?” • What worked well? • What needs improvement? • Recommendations?
What are the key features of an After Action Report? • List of all participants • Objectives • Points of Consideration • Brief scenario description • Summary of Findings • Recommendations
For More Information Contact Dr. Victoria Calder Director, Texas School Safety Center 512.245.8082 vc16@txstate.edu http://txssc.txstate.edu/