IAEA Training in Emergency Preparedness and Response Module L-051 General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness Lecture

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 2 Objectives Understand the concept of an integrated emergency preparedness program Understand the role of exercises within that program Know the different types of exercises Know the purpose of exercises

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 3 Background EPR-METHOD 2003 – Method for Developing Arrangements for Response to a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency provides: Elements of good response plans and arrangements Performance objectives

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 4 Background (contd) The evaluation of plans and resources is not sufficient Training is important The ability to perform is what matters

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 5 Emergency Preparedness Program Training drill and exercises Coordination Authority Organization QA Programme Plans and Procedures Logistical support and facilities Meet Response Objectives

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 6 Plans and procedures Training Exercises Three Components of an Effective Emergency Preparedness Program

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 7 Emergency Preparedness Effectiveness How do we know if all the emergency preparedness is effective? Do we know if it will really work?

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 8 Evaluating Performance Real Emergency Drill Table Top Test Exercise

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 9 Real Emergency The real test! A learning experience, although too late Even small incidents provide a good learning opportunity If properly evaluated (post mortem) If feed back process If a positive learning attitude is maintained

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 10 Drill Drill = small directed exercise Purpose is learning or testing a small portion of the plan or procedures Examples Activation drill Survey drill Medical drill Decision-making drill A drill is often preceded and/or followed by a training session

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 11 Examples of Drills Communications Notification Station personnel accounting Radiological monitoring Off-site exposure assessment Personnel dose assessment and control Contamination control Off-site protective actions Medical first aid Emergency analysis Public information

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 12 Table Top Table top = exercise without deployment of resources Used mainly for decision-makers Evolution can be slow-time and discussion is encouraged

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 13 Test Test = evaluated or graded exercise for an individual or a team A great way to verify performance Examples: operator testing Not suitable for a large organization or for several interacting organizations

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 14 Exercises Exercise = coordinated response to a simulated and complex scenario Exercises challenge Plan Procedures Resources Performance The only real way (except for real emergencies) to test the integrated performance

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 15 Exercises (contd) Exercises are also an excellent training opportunity to: Test new concepts Learn to respond under stress

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 16 Exercises Facility emergency On-Site Off-Site Full Scale Transport emergency, etc. On-scene Pre-hospital Hospital emergency Longer-term medical management

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 17 Why Exercises? Emergency response exercises are: Powerful tool for verification and improvement Used for training, validation, evaluation and regulatory purposes Increasingly considered an important part of safety Their value depends on clear objectives: Preparation Conduct Evaluation

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 18 Purpose of an Exercise To test the overall performance of emergency response plans, procedures, arrangements, resources and people The main purpose is not to test individuals, but to test the system The purpose of an exercise is not to demonstrate how good the response organizations are, or how bad they could be To train To test or explore new concepts and ideas

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 19 Purpose of an Exercise (contd) A good exercise is not necessarily one where everything goes well, but rather one where many good lessons are learned

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 20 Purpose of an Exercise (contd) Validate a new plan or a new concept Periodic verification Communications Regulatory compliance Continued improvement

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 21 Secrets to a Good Exercise Objectives must be clearly identified and communicated Scenario must be realistic and challenging Exercise instructions must be clear, well communicated and professional Exercise control must be strict, non-intrusive and professional Evaluation must be critical and well substantiated Evaluation report must be timely

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 22 Some Important Definitions: Exercise Team Controllers Manage the exercise Provide the necessary injects and data Evaluators Take notes during the exercise Evaluate the exercise

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 23 Some Important Definitions: Players Emergency responders Take part in the exercise by taking actions required as if it were a real emergency Part of the organizations being evaluated Do not know the exercise scenario

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 24 Some Important Definitions: Observers Observers observe! They do not interfere They do not manage They do not evaluate They stay out of the way!

L-051: General Concepts of Exercises to Test Preparedness 25 Summary Emergency response exercises Are part of a safety program Are the only way to test performance in real time (other than real events) Challenge the entire organization and its interfaces Challenge communications Can be an excellent continuous improvement tool