Pierce College Center of Excellence for Homeland Security

1
Pierce College Center of Excellencefor Homeland
Security

• Table Top Exercise
• March 17, 2006

2
What is a Table Top Exercise?

• Informal discussion using a scripted disaster
  scenario as a catalyst
• No time pressures, designed to promote free and
  open exchange of ideas
• Familiarizes players with roles, functions,
  plans, and procedures
• Identify issues requiring further work

3
Exercise Play

• Introductory narrative, followed by a series of
  questions.
• Dont fight the scenario. What you see is what
  you get.
• Put yourself in the position described in the
  scenario.
• When answering questions, describe your actions
  as if this were real.
• There is no single right answer. Varying
  viewpoints, even conflict, is expected. This is
  intended to be an open, low-stress environment to
  explore issues.

4
Guidelines

• NOT a test, NO hidden agendas.
• Follow your plans.
• Respond from current capabilities.
• Find gaps, suggest improvements.
• Its okay to ask questions.

5
Roles

• GROUPS respond to the situation as presented,
  based on experience, knowledge of plans and
  procedures within your agency.
• Identify a Scribe and Spokesperson
• Community Partners (fire, law, etc.) at each
  table will provide input for their agency actions
  and coordination
• FACILITATORS moderate group discussions,
  answering questions as required.
• CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE captures comments and
  discussion for After Action.

6
Objectives

• Familiarize the participants with their role in
  an emergency or disaster.
• Gain a basic understanding of the NIMS/ICS.
• Determine objectives and their related tasks and
  prioritize them.
• Interact with other members of the campus
  community and public safety community.
• To consider options for providing timely
  information to the campus, public, and media.
• Identify continuity of operations actions of
  agencies

7
Scenario Earthquake

• At 200 p.m. during a spring quarter, weekday
  afternoon, a 6.8 magnitude shallow earthquake
  occurs involving a nearby fault. It is a mild,
  warm weather day. There is significant damage
  visible from the exterior of some buildings.
  Primary city supplied campus power is
  interrupted, leaving only campus generators to
  supply limited power. The on-campus telephone and
  computing systems are operational under generator
  power, however calls to off campus locations are
  currently unable to go through. Area road and
  bridge traffic is extremely limited due to damage
  and freeway/bridge closures. There are roughly 30
  persons injured on campus, primarily involving
  some fractures and contusions. Outside emergency
  assistance may not be available for several days
  because of higher priority response needs
  elsewhere in the city/county. During that time
  period, the college will need to provide shelter,
  food, water and medical treatment for about 2,500
  students, faculty, and staff.

8
Questions

• What are the immediate objectives? How are these
  prioritized?
• Who would serve as the Incident Commander and
  from where would they operate?

9
Questions

• What factors contribute to the activation of the
  EOC? What steps need to be taken to activate and
  staff the EOC? What level of management will be
  present?
• What factors need to be considered to staff your
  EOC 24 hours/day for several days?

10
Questions

• What are the campus community needs for shelter
  and resources and how will these be provided for
  several days?
• How will food, water, and medical needs be
  addressed?
• What are the essential services you provide and
  what services do you rely upon? What steps need
  to be taken to restore these?

11
Questions

• How will the situation and what the college is
  doing about it be communicated? Who are the
  audiences?
• What is the role of the college president and
  other members of the administration? How does
  this role change in
• Mitigation
• Preparedness
• Response
• Recovery

12
Thanks to all participants and facilitators.
13
Issues for Further Action
14
HOTWASH

• Immediate Consideration of Insights with
  Recommendations
• For Strategic Actions

15
HOTWASH

• Based on todays discussions and the issues
  identified, list the top three areas which need
  improvement.
• Identify potential solutions concrete steps
  that should be taken to address these issues.
• List the policies, plans, and procedures that
  should be reviewed, revised, or developed.