Table Top Exercises

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Table Top Exercises

• Secure Community Network

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Training and Exercises

• Training and exercises are invaluable tools for
  preparing staff and testing emergency plans.
• Training and exercises should reinforce concepts
  in the organizations emergency plan.
• Training should be conducted regularly
• (Reality we do what we've practiced, not what is
  in the plan).

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What is a Tabletop Exercise?
-A tabletop exercise is a facilitated,
scenario-based group discussion
-Typically 2 hours to 4 hours in duration
-Scenario should be chosen on likely hazards in
the area -There are many formats and methods
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Why Table Top Exercises?

• Are low-stress discussion of coordination and
  policy within the organization and/or between the
  organization and other agencies.
• Provide a good environment for problem solving.
• Provide an opportunity for key agencies and
  stakeholders to become acquainted with one
  another, their interrelated roles, and their
  respective responsibilities.
• Provide good preparation for a functional
  exercise.
• Cost Effective
• Minimal Disruption
• Validation of your Plan

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Getting Started Steps for Success
Pre-Planning -Hazard Analysis -Establish
Objectives -Inform the Media -Orientation
Meetings -Set Timelines -Identify
Participants -Pre-exercise Training -Single
agency Drill
Tabletop Exercise -Identify a Facilitator -Identi
fy a Scribe -Draft the Narrative -Room Layout
-Breaks/Refreshments -Presentation -Copies of
Materials -Sign in Sheet -Conduct the Exercise
After Action -Immediate Debriefing -Participant
Evaluation -Comprehensive Report -Post Exercise
Meeting -Functional Exercise -Full Scale
Exercise -Revisions -Training -Implementation
Developing a tabletop exercise normally evolves
over a 1-month to 2-month period if conducted
properly.
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Tabletop Exercise Preparation

• Flipchart and markers
• Scribe
• A/V equipment
• Attendance sheet
• Extra seats for observers
• Name tents
• Copies of the exercise scenario
• School floor plans
• Emergency plans-school/county
• Maps (street/aerial/bus routes)
• Additional pre-incident information
• Participant evaluation form

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The After Action Process

• Immediate Debriefing
• Evaluator and Participant Comments
• Written Comments from Evaluators
• Comprehensive Report
• After Action Meeting (Weeks Later)
• Improvement Ideas and Implementation
• Training

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After-Action Review

• After-action reviews capture key lessons learned
  from emergency response and make recommendations
  for improvements.
• Benefits of after-action reviews
• Supports proactive response management
• Provides documentation for any future litigation
• Identifies areas for improvement.
• After-action reviews must not be an after-thought!

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After-Action Review

• Consideration must be made for the best time for
  this - not necessarily immediately after! A
  skilled facilitator is important. Tension must
  be constructive.
• Identify components of after-action reviews
• Exercise / emergency overview
• Exercise goals and objectives
• Analysis of outcomes
• Analysis of capacity to perform critical tasks
• Summary
• Recommendations
• Specific improvements for each partner
• Accountability plan.

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Through Exercises, Organizations Can

• Test and evaluate plans, policies, and
  procedures.
• Reveal planning weaknesses.
• Reveal gaps in resources.
• Improve organizational coordination and
  communications.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities.
• Train personnel in roles and responsibilities.
• Improve individual performance.
• Gain program recognition and support of
  officials.
• Satisfy regulatory requirements.