International Drill Design C. Agneta Dahl, NJ Resources, Inc.

Why do we conduct Exercises?  Regulations & Agreements  Test plans, people and equipment –  Ascertain response team performance,  identify gaps in response resources or capability, and  Identify opportunities for improvements in preparedness and response.  Demonstrate capability – Regulators, concerned citizens, NGOs etc.  Develop professional relationships outside of an emergency; build individual and team confidence and competence;  Clarify the roles and responsibilities of emergency responders and how they fit in to the incident management team; and improve coordination, integration and communication between the varied organizations and stakeholders; 2

Regulations & Agreements Domestic:  Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) required exercises  The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (NPREP) structured the requirements of OPA 90. Internationally:  International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990 (OPRC Convention) (108 Countries) Arctic Nations (USA, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark & Finland):  Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013) 3

The Arctic Nations have agreed to:  Be mindful that in the event of an oil pollution incident, prompt and effective action and cooperation among the Parties is essential in order to minimize damage that may result from such an incident, and to  Emphasize the importance of exchanging information, data and experience in the field of marine oil pollution preparedness and response, especially regarding the Arctic environment, and on the effects of pollution on the environment, and of regularly conducting joint training and exercises, as well as joint research and development.  Each Party shall establish a program of exercises for oil pollution response organizations and training of relevant personnel. 4

The Arctic Nations have agreed to:  The Parties shall promote cooperation and coordination by endeavoring to carry out joint exercises and training.  Joint exercises and training should be designed to incorporate lessons learned.  Where appropriate, the Parties should include stakeholders in the planning and execution of joint exercises and training. 5

The Arctic Nations have agreed to:  Maintain a national system for responding promptly and effectively to oil pollution incidents, and that system shall, at a minimum, include a National Contingency Plan or plans for preparedness and response to an oil spill.  Such plans shall include the organizational relationship of the various bodies involved, whether public or private.  Each Party’s national system shall include, as a minimum, the designation of the competent national authority or authorities with responsibility for oil pollution preparedness and response and an authority or authorities entitled to act on behalf of the Party to request assistance or to decide to render the assistance requested. 6

Is all the benefit in conducting the actual Exercise?  Planning cycle up to a year; the relationship building starts here and the foundation can make or break the exercise.  Exercise is conducted and evaluated over a period of a few days. Meets regulatory requirements.  Incorporation of the Lessons Learned in plan and process updates. 7

Where do we begin? 8  Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)  International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard on Societal Security - Guidelines for Exercises (ISO 22398:2013)

How to proceed?  Be mindful that not all nations have exercise programs as robust as that in the U. S., and acknowledge whatever programs do exist and ensure they are considered in the design process.  Each exercise should incorporate lessons learned from previous exercises as well as real incidents,  Recognize exercises must be done regularly to be effective and should be done with continuous improvement in mind, and  each exercise is a building block to the next event gradually increasing the complexity, therefore  Take small bites, don’t start with the biggest scenario and exercise type. 9

What is a successful Exercise?  All participants show up on game day.  The exercise objectives are clearly defined, realistic, and achievable.  The design is detailed enough as to present responders with a realistic experience that allows them to meet exercise objectives.  The participants and the evaluators are very familiar with all applicable plans and organizational structures.  Everyone understand the exercise rules and actually follows them.  There exists a spirit of cooperation, a desire to succeed, with no hidden agendas.  Participants are challenged but not overwhelmed.  All parties found the event productive and are willing to do it again. 10

Establish the Foundation  Who will participate?  Players, Observers? VIPs?  What are the Stakeholder goals/desires/concerns?  Will establish scope of the exercise and objectives  What is the average level of the responders capability?  Determines level of exercise play.  What system will be used to manage the incident?  ICS, or a version of it, or something else?  Incorporate local responders and KNOW that structure before the exercise.  What language(s) will be utilized?  Other issues?  Cultural issues, Diet, Religious needs, local holidays etc. 11

Issues to Consider  Focus on Quality over Quantity  Overwhelmed players don’t come back  Difficult to script all the details for massive exercise creating artificial difficulties for responders.  By trying to do everything, usually nothing gets done well.  Too many moving parts outside your control.  By initially keeping exercises simple and more frequent; you establish the exercise culture and build confidence which in turn will garner participation. 12

Design Issues to Consider  Do not conduct large exercise until responders are ready.  Set clear, realistic and attainable objectives for an exercise.  Design the scenario after you’ve agreed on the objectives, and keep the scenario just complex enough to allow objectives to be met.  Keep the Scenario as real as possible.  Be prepared to adjust at a moments notice.  Have a SimCell staffed with experts, most of them should be from the area being exercised.  Have a QUALIFIED Evaluation Team.  Capture all lessons learned, good or bad. 13

The Reluctant Participant  Fear of the Un-Known  Offer up observation program  Pre-Exercise training  Minor role in first exercise  Seasoned coaches assigned to new responders  Conduct an in-house dry run  Observer Program: Non-affiliated parties invited to observe an exercise just to experience the process.  More likely to embrace ICS as have seen it in action  Eagerly participates in exercise design when it’s their turn  Champions the process within their Nation / Organization. 14

Questions? 15