1. Winter Storm Tabletop Exercise
[property name]
[facilitator/moderator name]
[date]
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2. Agenda Welcome /Introductions About a Tabletop The Learning Exercise
After Action Discussion
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3. About a Tabletop
Tabletop Exercises are designed to help ensure that your program and plans can be effectively executed and that all participants understand their role.
This is your opportunity to validate that your plans will enable the firm to effectively continue business in the short- term and then efficiently recover and return to business as usual.
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4. Exercise Objectives
Coordination: Improve the coordination among the various members of Crisis Team.
Communications: Evaluate the communication process among team members and with other groups.
Decision Making: Assess the decision-making processes and activation of the team.
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5. Guiding Principles Training and learning exercise – not a test!
There are no “hidden agendas” or trick questions.
It’s not about the scenario; it’s about the response.
There are no single or simple solutions.
Open and interactive discussion – there may be more than one response to the crisis.
The end goals:
Understand the process
Identify gaps
Develop team readiness to respond
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6. Questions?
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7. Winter Storm Scenario at
[property name]
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8. Location [company location] [specific building]
[modify picture at right]
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9. Current Conditions Date: Tuesday, February 19th Time: 9:00 AM
Your city has had a fairly typical winter thus far. Roughly 3” of snow is on the ground from recent storms. The weather is currently 27°F and cloudy.
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10. The Incident Begins
A major storm is projected to hit your city on Thursday morning, with 18-22” of snow forecast and daytime high temperatures of 15-20°F for [city].
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11. Based on this information:
Should you be concerned?
What actions are you taking to prepare for the winter weather?
How would such a winter storm disrupt your normal business operations?
Who is in charge of the situation?
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12. Update
As of Wednesday morning, the storm is swinging further south than originally expected ” is now expected for your city.
The storm is expected to arrive Thursday and will last through early Friday morning. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued.
High temperatures will be in the 15-20°F range.
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13. Based on this information:
How does this information change your preparations?
Should the decision be made to excuse non- essential personnel from work?
If so, how is this decision made?
How will information be disseminated to employees?
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14. Update
By Wednesday afternoon, several local school districts have canceled school for Thursday.
Employees with children are worrying about childcare for tomorrow.
Very light snow is beginning to fall.
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15. Based on this information:
How does your employees’ need to find childcare affect your decisions?
Will your employees be able to work from home?
What is the Crisis Leader doing in this situation? Crisis Managers?
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16. Based on this information:
What other information would be helpful in determining the appropriate actions?
Who is responsible for finding this information?
How will they get it?
What other concerns do you have at this time?
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17. Update
Heavy snow has started Thursday morning, with 20 mph winds. Visibility is down to ¼ mile in spots.
The heavy snow and strong wind gusts have taken down power lines around your building.
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18. Based on this information:
How will the winter storm affect your ability to conduct normal business operations?
Have you been communicating with clients?
What information are you giving them?
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19. Update
As of Thursday afternoon, there are 21 inches of snow on the ground.
Your local airport reports they are down to three open runways, with many cancelled or delayed outbound flights. They anticipate full closure in 2-3 hours if the blizzard continues.
Parts of a nearby interstate have closed and officials are recommending no travel.
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20. Based on this information:
How will transportation limitations (closed rail line, unplowed roads, etc.) affect your ability to maintain continuity?
How will an airport closure affect your business operations?
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21. Update
On Friday morning, there is currently 29” of snow on the ground.
Snow has slowed significantly. Winds have also died down and visibility is improving.
Another 6”-10” is forecast overnight, with single- digit temperatures.
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22. Based on this information:
What are the responsibilities of the Crisis Leader? Crisis Managers?
Who is responsible for determining when to resume normal operations?
How will you communicate this with employees?
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23. Update
Overnight snow was much less than forecast – only 3-4” – and temperatures were higher than expected.
No additional snow is in the forecast for Saturday morning.
Power is still out at your building and across the city.
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24. Based on this information:
What are your plans for a loss of power that may last for several days?
What other concerns do you have at this time?
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25. Update The interstate and airport are re-opened Saturday evening.
You inform employees that you will resume business operations on Monday.
Several employees are still waiting for power to resume at their homes.
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26. Based on this information:
Is your company prepared for the possible effects of winter weather?
What are the roles of Executives throughout the event?
How will you support employees who have lost power or suffered home damage in the storm?
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27. Additional Considerations
What circumstances are necessary for you to ask employees not to come to work or to go home?
If your employees cannot come to work because of winter weather, will you compensate them?
What if this is nearly all of your employees?
What about those that DO come in?
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28. Additional Considerations
Remember: snow = water!
Are you prepared for melting and potential flooding that often follows a winter storm?
Winter storms are not just snow: freezing rain, ice, and extreme cold often also occur.
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29. After Action – How Did You Do?
List at least three things that the team did well during this exercise.
List any gaps you recognized.
List three action items to implement that will improve your ability to effectively respond.
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