1. Initial Planning Conference [Date]
[Exercise Name]
Initial Planning Conference
[Date]

2. Welcome & Introductions

3. Today’s Goals Initial Planning Conference Review exercise program
Discuss exercise process, structure, participation, and documentation
Propose and discuss design objectives
Select scenario venue and variables
Discuss support requirements

4. Exercise Overview

5. Full-Scale Exercise Field response exercise
[Insert a description of the type of exercise being conducted. This slide is an example of a description for a Full-Scale Exercise.]
Field response exercise
Response groups across the functional spectrum (Incident Command, Fire, Bomb Squad, Law Enforcement, HazMat, EMS, Dispatch, Hospitals, Medical Examiner, Public Affairs)
Focuses on initial response
Multiple events
Individual and team tasks
First hours of local response
No-inspection, no-fault, learning environment
Based on design objectives selected by community

6. Focus of Design Objectives
[The following are examples of design objectives for an operations-based exercise focusing on a chemical attack. Design objectives should be catered meet the needs of each individual exercise.]
Sample Objectives:
Hazard Assessment / Protective Actions
Incident Command / Unified Command
Communication
Decontamination Issues
Life Safety / Law Enforcement Integration
Secondary Devices
Agent Identification
Patient Management / Hospital Preparedness
Equipment Capabilities / Requirements

7. Exercise Participants

8. Participants Responders State / Federal Emergency Management
[Include organizations that are involved with the Emergency Management aspect of the exercise (Mayor’s Office, Public Affairs)]
Responders
[Include the departments, agencies, and any other sources that may provide responders to an incident (Fire, EMS, Police)]
Mutual Aid
[Include any mutual aid assets available (Regional Response Assets, Mutual-Aid Agencies)]
State / Federal
[List agencies that would be involved in a terrorist incident (FBI, DHS, EPA)]

9. Hospital Participation
[Include if applicable to the exercise design]
Allows focus on first responder – hospital integration
Requires extra logistical support
Pool of “victim” actors
Transportation issues
Coordinators for actors (1 per 30)
Extra attention to tracking actors
Special hospital orientation and debriefing

10. Actors Number sufficient to stress system Variety of symptoms
Getting actors is the BIGGEST CHALLENGE

11. Observers and Media Observers Intended to observe field play
No functional role
Media
Invited to observer / record field play
Limit access to play area and escort

12. Exercise Design

13. Initial Response
Pre-Staged versus Real Time Response

14. Exercise Staff Organization
Lead Exercise Planner
Exercise Controllers
Exercise Evaluators
Actors
Exercise Support Staff

15. Exercise Controller Functions
Lead Exercise Planner
Final approval of exercise activities
Monitors exercise progress and coordinates any required modifications
Individual Controller
Introduces, maintains, and coordinates exercise events in accordance with the MSEL
Observes and reports exercise artificialities that interfere with realism

16. Sample Controller Staff Outline

17. Evaluator Functions
Know the procedures for the element being evaluated
Understand the exercise concept and scenario
Cover each assigned organization / exercise area
Inform controller of problems related to exercise design
Observe, record, and report player actions
Ensure collection of all evaluation data, evaluation forms, and materials after the exercise

18. Sample Evaluator Staff Outline

19. * Players may either wear badge or be in uniform
Security and Badging
- Victim
- Controller
- Evaluator
* Players may either wear badge or be in uniform
- Media
- Observer
- Player*
- Support Staff

20. Weapons Policy
Personnel not serving as exercise participants shall NOT carry a loaded weapon within the confines of the exercise play area. They may continue to carry their weapon only after it has been properly cleared and rendered safe (i.e., no ammunition in chamber, cylinder, breach, or magazines) and only after being marked or identified in a conspicuous manner (i.e., bright visible tape around the visible stock or holster).
Personnel providing exercise site security may carry loaded weapons

21. Documentation ExPlan Provides administrative details of exercise
Does not give operational details or scenario information
Reviewed at the Mid-term Planning Conference (MPC)
Distributed prior to exercise

22. Documentation C / E Handbook
Contains all information critical to the exercise
Limited distribution
Contains evaluation materials
Reviewed at the Final Planning Conference (FPC)
Distributed at pre-exercise briefing

23. Evaluation

24. Sample Evaluation Format
Hazardous Materials (HazMat)
Target Areas
Notification and response
Establishment / identification of Hazard Zones
Personal Safety and Protection
Initiation of Decontamination Procedures
Agent Detection and Identification
Evaluation Aspects
Properly Outfitted for Entry
Proper Identification Equipment and Utilization
Entry Team Rotation
Utilization of Mutual Aid Resources
Sample Question: Did the initial responding units recognize a HazMat situation and request proper assistance?

25. Debriefings
Responder Hot Wash
Controller / Evaluator Debrief

26. Support Requirements

27. Exercise Support Requirements
Briefing Rooms / Moulage Room (if needed)
Communications Network and Hardware
Human Needs
Water
Restrooms
Real Emergency Requirements

28. Site Maps and Aerial Recon
[Insert maps and aerial photographs of the exercise site and surrounding area]
Site Maps
Aerial Recon

29. After Action Report / Improvement Plan
Distribution
Local Community
Federal Partners
Purpose
Document Controller / Evaluator observations
Provide Feedback
Pass on lessons learned
Objectives Recommendations Observations Innovations
After Action Report

30. Today’s Tasks

31. Sample Action Items Maps of site
Identify tasks / responsibilities for the Mid-term Planning Conference (MPC)

32. Future Planning Conferences
Mid-term Planning Conference (MPC)
[Date]
Continue Planning Process
Scenario Development
Exercise Support Requirements
Site Visit
Review Exercise Plan (ExPlan)

33. Future Planning Conferences
Final Planning Conference (FPC)
[Date]
Finalize Exercise Plans
Scenario Timeline
Support Needs / Logistics
Review Controller / Evaluator Handbook

34. Closing