TTX Hazmat Explosion

This PIO-focused tabletop exercise was developed adapting a scenario developed by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education, Louisana State University and A&M College for Institutions of Higher Education. 

Instructions

To make the most effective use of our time, prior to our exercise:

  1. Review your Crisis Documentation
  2. Review the entire contents of this exercise website, or download and review the handout

Purpose

  • Provide Participants with an opportunity to review response concepts, plans, and capabilities.
  • Identify ways to enhance our preparedness for emergencies.

Time and Location

When: TBD (Program begins promptly at 8:30am, on [insert date])

Where: TBS (insert location)

[insert room diagram with seating chart]

Refreshments

8:15am: Bagels, Cream Cheese, Coffee will be provided in the morning - Please be seated with your refreshments and ready to begin by 8:30am.

12noon: Lunch will be provided as well, as the discussion will continue into the lunch hour.

Agenda

  8:15am – Refreshments (15 min)

  8:30am – Orientation/Instructions (15 min)

  8:45am – Module 1 (30 min)

  9:15am – Module 2 (30 min)

  9:45am – Module 3 (30min)

10:15am – 15 Minute Break (15 min)

10:30am – Module 4 (30 min)

11:00am – Module 5 (30 min)

11:30am - Module 6 (30 min)

12:00pm – Lunch & Lessons Learned (60 min)

Target Capabilities Reviewed

  • Planning
  • Communications
  • Emergency Information and Warning

Key Issues to Explore

  • Identify strengths and areas for improvement in our university's Communications plans.
  • Examine processes and tools for our organization to share information, both internally and with external partners, to ensure timely and appropriate information reaches those who must act upon it.
  • Assess capabilities to develop timely and appropriate messages for our stakeholder communities (e.g. directly affected students, faculty and staff; family members; and the surrounding community)

Exercise Format

The exercise is based on a developing scenario. - After reviewing the developing scenario in each module, players will discuss the corresponding prompts, and detail any actions to be taken. 

Each module begins with a brief update that summarizes the key events. Participants will review the situation and discuss appropriate response issues.

Exercise Assumptions

During this exercise, the following apply:

  • The scenario is plausible and events occur as they are presented
  • University administration; The Federal Government; tribal, state and local governments respond to the incident in accordinance with established plans and protocols.  This response is not described in detail in the scenario, allowing for a focus on our university's communications capabilities, decisions and actions.  Actions and recommendations attributed to university administration and non-university entities in the scenario are plausable but may not reflect actual response.
  • The local government(s) provides excellent public safety services and has excellent healthcare and educational systems.
  • Local governments and campus administration have an excellent working relationship
  • Many community members enjoy the benefits of having the campus within the region.
  • There is no “hidden agenda.” There are no trick questions.
  • All players receive information at the same time.
  • When possible, discussions and decision-making should be informed first by plans, policies, and procedures that are already in place. If this presents an obstacle, the group should discuss and revise decision-making and come to consensus where possible.  

Exercise Guidelines

Due to time constraints, groups are not expected to be able to work through this entire exercise. However, the following guidelines may be helpful:

  • This is a no-fault exercise designed to  explore policies, decisions, actions, and relevant issues. Participants will respect each others’ observations, opinions, and perspectives.
  • Responses should be based on your knowledge of current plans and capabilities
  • Make suggestions and recommended actions that could improve response and preparedness efforts. Problem-solving efforts are the primary goal.
  • Keep the time constraints in mind and comments focused, where possible.

List of Participants

  1. [list your participants]