1. Drills…..The Forgotten Exercise Activity …..Not Really.

2. Building-Block Approach Discussion Based Operations Based

3. Most Familiar Exercise Types Tabletop Exercise (Discussion Based Exercise) Functional Exercise (Operations Based Exercise) Full-Scale Exercise (Operations Based Exercise)

4. Tabletop Exercise Discussion based exercise (i.e. talking not doing) Facilitated analysis of an emergency situation Informal, stress-free environment Designed to elicit constructive discussion Participants resolve problems based on existing plans and identifying needed changes

5. Functional Exercise Fully simulated interactive exercise that tests the capability of an organization to respond to a simulated incident  Involves no movement of equipment Tests multiple functions in a coordinated response (EOC environment) Events are projected through a scripted exercise scenario Time-pressured Realistic simulation

6. Full-Scale Exercise Simulates a real incident as closely as possible Evaluates the operational capability of emergency management systems in a highly stressful environment Requires mobilization of multiple resources and organizations (e.g., law enforcement, fire, EMS, EMA) Players respond as if it were an actual incident, with minimal interference from controllers or evaluators Should test and evaluate most functions of the plan

7. Then What Is a Drill? Operations based exercise activity –Not a tabletop –Not a functional –Not a full-scale –A DRILL!

8. Drills Have a narrow focus and are conducted in a training environment A coordinated, supervised exercise activity normally used to test a single specific operation or function/capability No coordination, no EOC Involve equipment and personnel in a realistic environment Purpose: Perfect one small part of a response plan and help prepare for more extensive exercises

9. Conducting a Drill Prepare: Review operational procedures and safety precautions beforehand Set the stage: Present purpose, objectives, scenario Monitor the action: Intervene if necessary to keep the drill on track

10. Who Is Involved in a Drill? Players Actors (limited) Controllers Evaluators Observers/VIPs

11. Other Considerations Should provide designated area for response operations during exercise play Weather conditions Date and time –Exercise date and time affect exercise play –Population demographics  Weekday versus weekend  Morning versus night Lessons Learned: Focus more on the training aspects of doing it right. Repeat if necessary.

12. Sample Drill Site

13. Logistics Logistical considerations for Drills include: –Venue –Restrooms –Water and food –Communications –Videotaping (Training) –Props and devices –Site security –Safety

14. Examples of Drills Notification Communications Evacuation (fire) Shelter-in-Place (tornado) Lockdown (active shooter) Decontamination Triage Crime scene preservation Threat awareness (recognition)

15. Questions/Comments

16. Darren Price, MEP Exercise Program Manager Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2855 West Dublin Granville Road Columbus, OH 43235 (614) 799-3660 deprice@dps.state.oh.us Contact Information