Tabletop Exercise Tornado

Tabletop Objectives Demonstrate the activation and use of the Incident Command System. Identify additional campus mitigation and preparedness needs. Provide input for continued emergency operations planning.

Tabletop Processes A scenario and update statements will be used to generate discussion of probable response actions. Participants will provide situational responses based on established procedures and plans. The Emergency Operations Plan is available for reference. Other than maps and diagrams, no additional materials will be provided. The exercise will conclude with development of action steps needed to support future mitigation and preparedness efforts.

Ground Rules This is not a test of current capabilities and plans. It is a discussion of probable responses to a hypothetical emergency and consequent cascading events. The exercise will be an open dialogue. All ideas and input are welcome. Finger pointing is not acceptable. There will be no GOTCHA. One person speaks at a time. The scenario will be accepted as is. However, the facilitator may make modifications at her discretion. No hypothetical resources are available. There should be no expectation of issue resolution.

Date: Time: 6:30 PM A meeting is planned in the XXX starting at 7:30. Approximately 75 students, faculty, and community members are expected to attend. There is an intramural softball practice in progress on XXX Field. The NWS issues a tornado alert for XXX County.

Discussion Questions How do you find out about the Tornado Warning? Who is notified and how? Are there particular buildings/areas of immediate concern? What actions are taken at this point?

Date: Time: 6:47 PM NOAA radio notifies that XXX County is under a Tornado Warning. An F3 tornado has just destroyed numerous buildings in (nearby small city). The tornado is moving at 30+ mph in a northeasterly direction.

Discussion Questions Who is in charge of response operations at this point? What are current priorities and concerns? What protective measures are taken? What facilities measures are taken (e.g., gas shutoff)? What additional notification processes are undertaken?

Date: Time: 7:00 PM An F4 tornado touches down near XXX Hall. There is major structural damage to this building and the roof is gone. The XXX Dormitory and the Science Building are also severely damaged. A large metal tank near the softball field; it ruptured on impact and is leaking. You have limited communications capability. Phone lines are out, and cell phones are working sporadically. However, you learn that there have been other touchdowns at the hospital and the jail.

Discussion Questions Who is primarily responsible for immediate situational analysis and response? How, when, and where is the EOC activated? What are your immediate challenges and how will they be addressed?

Date: Time: 8:15 PM You have determined that the tank is leaking water. Damage to the science building is not as bad as anticipated, and the area is secured. You continue to be without power except from generators. Parents and concerned community members are congregating on campus. Numerous students are leaving the area. City and county responders are now arriving on campus. The media are not cooperating; reporters and photographers seem to be everywhere. Casualties to date: 62 students with minor injuries 8 students with life-threatening injuries 5 unidentified bodies 10 students, 1 facilities staff, and 1 security staff reported missing. Search and rescue operations continue.

Discussion Questions There are now a number of agencies on campus. How will unified command be established? What areas of responsibility does the campus ICS retain? What are the notification processes regarding casualties? What is the current involvement of Student Health Services? Counseling? Residence Life? Others? What are you going to do about the media? How will the issue of closing the university be addressed? What information will the decision makers need? Who is responsible for gathering this information?

Date: (3 weeks in future) The university was completely closed for a week. A total of ten students and one staff member died from their injuries. The media reports that a number of parents are considering lawsuits. The media has been relentless in its examination of the university response to this emergency. Questions of preparedness have been raised repeatedly. Repairs to damaged buildings have begun but will not be completed until September at best. Donations of money and a wide array of items have poured into the university.

Discussion Questions What are the effects of the one-week closure and how can they be mitigated? What will be done about the displaced students? How will donations be handled? How will memorials be handled? What immediate and long-term recovery issues are facing the university and how might these be resolved?

Hotwash Did this exercise increase your awareness of campus mitigation and preparedness needs? How? Will this exercise provide input for continued emergency operations planning? How? What action steps should this group take now?