“Operation Pine Cone” Pierce County Auditor’s Office Tabletop Earthquake Exercise June 1, 2012

Agenda Introductions Tabletop exercise with objectives Moves with discussions Ground rules Hotwash

Definition of Tabletop A tabletop exercise is intended to stimulate conversations relating to understanding of concepts, identifying strengths and/or shortfalls that may occur during an emergency or disaster. Tabletops are an open discussion, slow- paced problem-solving exercise with no bad questions or answers.

Scope Pierce County Auditor’s Office, in an effort to better prepare for a natural disaster, has designed this tabletop exercise for their staff.

Purpose To discuss policies and procedures for maintaining their essential functions in supporting Pierce County during a catastrophic event.

Objectives Demonstrate the ability for a Pierce County Auditor’s Office employee to launch a PCWARN message and have staff acknowledge receipt of the message. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the essential personnel of the Pierce County Auditor’s office in response to a catastrophic earthquake.

Ground Rules One scenario with three moves. After each move, a group discussion will follow. All participants receive information at the same time. Assume scenario events occur as presented. Please place pagers and cell phones on vibrate.

Exercise Scenario On May 28, 2012 at 08:00 a.m. a 7.1M earthquake occurred on the Tacoma fault line. Media is reporting multiple earthquakes have occurred throughout the I-5 corridor. Initial reports coming in state: the region has been devastated and it is unknown when help is arriving…

Questions? Did you receive a PCWARN message? Did the PCWARN message have the critical information you needed?

Move 1 It is Filing Week and candidates must file for office this week or they will not be on the ballot. The Pierce County Auditor has ensured candidates that the earthquake will not impact this process.

Questions? What essential functions must you perform to ensure candidate filing is completed on time and is accurate? You have been identified as essential personnel. What is your role and responsibility? If the Elections Center is damaged, what is your alternate location? Do you have the needed supplies and equipment to perform your duties?

Move 2 It is the busy summer marriage season. Many couples are coming to get their marriage license. The Pierce County Executive has ensured all Pierce County residents that Continuity of Operation Plans have been implemented to ensure County Government is operational.

Questions? What essential functions must you perform to ensure marriage licensing is an available service? You have been identified as essential personnel. What is your role and responsibility? If the Annex is damaged, what is your alternate location? Do you have the needed supplies and equipment to perform your duties?

Move 3 With property damage being at an all-time high, there are many requests for certified copies of recorded documents. The Pierce County Auditor has ensured property owners that this process will be handled in a timely and official manner.

Questions? What essential functions must you perform to ensure certified copies of recorded documents are available? You have been identified as essential personnel. What is your role and responsibility? If the Annex is damaged, what is your alternate location? Do you have the needed supplies and equipment to perform your duties?

Objectives Demonstrate the ability for a Pierce County Auditor’s Office employee to launch a PCWARN message and have staff acknowledge receipt of the message. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the essential personnel of the Pierce County Auditor’s office in response to a catastrophic earthquake.

Hot Wash Thank you for your time and participation during this exercise. Questions? Please contact: Katie Gillespie or Marci Scott Pierce County Emergency Management