1. School Emergency Operations Plan Tabletop Exercise
Planning
Exercise
Emergency
Response
Training
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

2. Introductions
Introduce instructors, then have participants introduce themselves with name, agency representing and current position.
Go over logistics: Location of restrooms, refreshments and closest exits.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

3. Agenda Introduction to exercise Exercise play Hot Wash Scenario type
Participants work through pre-determined questions, identify processes
Hot Wash
Evaluate exercise
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

4. Reasons for Undertaking an Exercise Program
Improve readiness and to build local capacity for dealing with emergencies and disasters
Clarify relative roles and responsibilities
Improve inter-agency coordination
Identify unresolved issues and potential problems before a disaster
Identify planning, training and resource needs
Foster confidence of stakeholders/general public
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

5. Tabletop Exercise Characteristics
Informal – low stress – discussion-oriented
Evaluates plans, policies and procedures, not people
Not all answers known – unresolved issues identified during hot-wash critique
Focuses on evaluation of plans, policies and procedures, not individual or agency performance
Ideal training tool for coordinating the plans and actions of multiple agencies
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

6. Critical Areas Covered During Exercise
Shelter in Place Procedures
Staff/Student Tracking
Public Information and communication with residents families/guardians
NIMS/ICS interface
Coordination with First Responders
Contingency Planning
Evacuation
Logistics
Transportation
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

7. Exercise Objectives
Evaluate coordination with outside response agencies and integration of ICS
Evaluate communication and coordination among staff
Test Emergency Operations Plan
Shelter in Place procedures
Evacuation Issues
Internal Command Structure
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

8. Roles and Responsibilities
The Rules
Roles and Responsibilities
Participants
Observers
Facilitators
Participants - Use current response procedures, plans and agreements.
Observers – Take notes during TTX play and please provide your observations/input!
Facilitators – Help fill out the storyline, answer questions, and moderate conversation. Keep play focused, manage time
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

9. Assumptions and Artificialities
The scenario is plausible, events occur as presented
There are not trick questions or hidden agendas
All participants receive information at the same time
Respond with everyday solutions and existing assets
No single accepted solution
Open and safe venue
Varying viewpoints are appreciated and disagreements are expected
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

10. Start Exercise
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

11. Exercise Scenario DATE: November 15th TIME: 9:00 am
WEATHER: 32 Degrees with snow on the ground
STAFFING: Required staff on duty
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

12. Event #1
On-duty staff hears a small explosion in the cafeteria and sees smoke coming from the room.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

13. Event #1 - Questions What happens now? What actions are taken?.
What happens now?
What actions are taken?
Who is contacted?
Draw internal incident command structure.
Preferred Outcomes:
Call 911
Follow Emergency Operations plan
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

14. Event #2
School confirms the fire has engulfed the cafeteria and smoke alarms begin to sound. The sprinkler system automatically comes on and creates a short in the electrical system. All power to the school is now off.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

15. Event #2 - Questions
What steps are taken to begin the evacuation of the school?
What resources are needed to accomplish this task?
Is there a student/staff tracking plan in place?
Preferred Outcomes:
EOP addresses command activation
Staff are trained in pre-identified roles
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

16. Event #3
First Responders arrive on-scene. The fire is contained and extinguished. Power in the facility, however, is still out.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

17. Event #3 - Questions
Once Responders arrive on-scene, how does the internal incident command structure integrate with First Responder incident command?
Draw the updated Incident Command Structure.
Preferred Outcomes:
EOP should address command activation
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

18. Event #4
Power will not be available for several hours. Forecast indicates snow and freezing temperatures. The school is uninhabitable due to fire and water damage.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

19. Event #4- Questions What actions are necessary at this point?
Where are student sent?
Are contracts in place for transportation and sheltering of students?
Preferred Outcomes:
Enough supplies should be on-site and available.
Food should be ordered using existing contracts.
Resources/contracts are in place prior to incident.
Pre-identified relocations sites.
Patient information plan for tracking in place.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

20. Event #5
Families begin calling with questions about the incident and the location of their children.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

21. How would you notify and communicate with the families or guardians?
Event #5 Question
How would you notify and communicate with the families or guardians?
Preferred Outcome:
Notification plan in place and trained on.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

22. Media arrives on-scene
Event #6
Media arrives on-scene
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

23. Event #6 – Questions How do you communicate to the media?
Who is assigned to talk to the media?
Preferred Outcomes:
Public information plan is in place and trained on.
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

24. Hot Wash Unresolved Issues (Responsibility for Follow-Up)
Suggested Changes to Plans, Policies or Procedures
Identified Resource Needs and Shortfalls
Additional Training & Exercise Needs
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11

25. Did We Nail It?
School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit. Colorado School Safety Resource Center (Department of Public Safety), Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) Part 8 of 11