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Here is the scenario - You are planning a tabletop exercise designed to solve a recurring problem in your pre-hospital system. This is an urban system with a total of 10 paid paramedics and 20 paid EMTs. There are also 15 volunteer EMTs. The problem is that communication among the various EMTs and paramedics and among responding units is less than optimal. Problems include lack of interoperability and failure to use standard terminology.a. Determine who the players should be. Write an email notice inviting them to a tabletop with an explanation of what you hope to accomplish.b. Write a communication scenario that will allow the players to address the problem at hand.c. Make a list of facilities and materials you will use in the exercise.Use the file on the attachment to guide you:IS-139.A: Exercise Design and Development is_139_file.pdf Unformatted Attachment Preview Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Course Introduction Through the use of this course, exercise program managers can learn to develop, execute, and evaluate exercises that address the priorities established by an organization’s leaders. These priorities are based on the National Preparedness Goal, strategy documents, threat and hazard identification/risk assessment processes, capability assessments, and the results from previous exercises and real-world events. These priorities guide the overall direction of a progressive exercise program, where individual exercises are anchored to a common set of priorities or objectives and build toward an increasing level of complexity over time. Accordingly, these priorities guide the design and development of individual exercises, as planners identify exercise objectives and align them to core capabilities for evaluation during the exercise. Exercise evaluation assesses the ability to meet exercise objectives and capabilities by documenting strengths, areas for improvement, core capability performance, and corrective actions in an After-Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP). Through improvement planning, organizations take the corrective actions needed to improve plans, build and sustain capabilities, and maintain readiness. The use of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)—in line with the National Preparedness Goal and the National Preparedness System—supports efforts across the whole community that improve our national capacity to build, sustain, and deliver core capabilities. This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of exercise design and to prepare you to design and conduct exercises consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine. The prerequisite for this course is IS 120.c Introduction to Exercises. Course Overview This course contains six lessons. Lesson 1, Exercise Design Considerations, discusses the overall design considerations including the basic components of an exercise program, a well as the types and characteristics of both discussion-based and operations-based exercises. Lesson 2, Exercise Planning Team, explains the different considerations needed when selecting the members of a design team; including the specific roles of planning team members and how they relate to the elements of an exercise scope. Lesson 3, Capability-Based Exercise Objective Development, concentrates on the objectives of an exercise and how they impact the core capabilities. Lesson 4, Scenario and Master Scenario Events List Development, explains the basic elements and functions of a scenario and how to create a Master Scenario Events List (MSEL). Lesson 5, Exercise Documentation, describes the audience and purpose of the key exercise design and development documents. Lesson 6, Additional Enhancements, explains the purpose and types of exercise enhancements, as well as what considerations are to be taken when selecting specific enhancements. Course Objectives https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 1 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM After completing this course, you will be able to: Define reasons to design and complete exercises. Identify the members of an exercise design team. Compile exercise objectives. Determine evaluation elements of the exercise. Understand how to develop exercise scenarios. Identify the correct documents for the exercise. Receiving Credit Each lesson takes a variable amount of time to complete. If you are unable to complete the course in its entirety, you may close the window and reopen the course at any time. However, depending on the system used to take the course, it is possible you may have to repeat a portion of the last lesson you were studying. Course Objectives Navigation start https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 2 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM 2011 Tuscaloosa Tornado Discussion with Mayor Walter Maddox - Video Transcript Summary Having completed this section, you are able to: Navigate the course correctly. Understand course objectives. Understand receiving credit for the course. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 3 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Lesson 1 Objectives At the end of this lesson you will be able to: Identify the basic components of an exercise program. Identify the types of exercises as defined by HSEEP. Progressive Exercising A progressive exercise program is a series of exercises tied to a set of common program priorities. Each exercise builds on previous exercises using more sophisticated simulation techniques or requiring more preparation, time, personnel and planning. Progressive exercising is a scalable approach, where exercises that build upon each other are developed. Functional exercises require: Participants Simulators/Controllers Evaluators A community or an organization engages in a progressive exercise when the goal requires a comprehensive approach from every type of responding agency (e.g. police, fire, hospitals). Participants are determined based on the exercise needs and jurisdiction. Exercises might scale up to engage the whole community, or the population might be limited down to just key stakeholders. Careful Planning Clearly-defined goals set the tone for the careful planning of design and development. Those goals help set the priorities and focus on figuring out what works and what requires improvement when it comes to emergency operations. The scale of complexity with exercises starts with the least-complex discussion-based exercises such as seminars and tabletop exercises (TTX). Discussion-based exercises serve to inform participants of (or help develop) plans, policies, agreements, and procedures. Medium complexity starts with operational exercises such as workshops. The most-complex exercises are typically full-scale exercises (FSEs). Medium and high complexity is used when validating functional response actions where plans, policies, agreements, and procedures are implemented as if responding to an actual incident. Success Breeds Success As each progressive exercise shows success, this ensures: https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 4 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Officials/stakeholders trust and are willing to commit resources. Personnel regards future exercises positively. The confidence of the organization and community builds. Operating skills improve. Exercise Complexity There are various types of exercises that can be employed to prepare for real-world scenarios and emergencies. Exercises can be low, medium, or high complexity. C&O Meeting - Tools and Outcomes The primary tool for a C&O meeting is a read-ahead packet for participants. This packet usually includes the agenda and background briefing. Outcomes from a C&O Meeting include: Exercise concept Exercise timeframe Extent of participation https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 5 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Identification of planning team members Planning timeline, milestones, and meeting dates As a follow-up, meeting minutes should be compiled and sent to each participant within four working days of the meeting conclusion. Why the planning Team Structure is important. The Exercise Planning Team manages and is responsible for these aspect of an exercise: Design Development Conduct Evaluation The size of the team will vary depending on the type and scale of the exercise. Exercise planners may elect to use the Incident Command System (ICS) structure when establishing the structure and organization of the planning team (see organization chart). A team consists of a Lead Exercise Planner and planning team members. The team lead has complete management responsibility, assigning tasks to team members and ensuring the successful execution of the exercise. The team size should: Be kept manageable but represent a full range of participating organizations and other relevant stakeholders. Include whole community stakeholders such as: First responders/support agencies Advocacy groups Those with limited English language proficiency In addition, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) bring functional knowledge from their area of expertise. Planning Team flowchart. At the top is the Exercise Planning Team Leader, who is responsible for all planning team functions. The team is broken into sub-teams on which to focus. The purpose of these subteams is to divide the exercise functions and are all on the same level. They are Operations, which includes Site Liaison and Resources, Planning, which https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 6 of 48 Course Introduction The Incident Command System (ICS) structure includes the Exercise Planning Team Leader, or Command level, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Administrative functional areas. The Safety Officer ensure safety procedures and safe practices are followed. 5/19/20, 5)12 PM includes Exercise Documentation and Evaluation, Logistics, which includes Props and Actors, and Admin/Finance, which includes Reporting and Budgeting. A safety officer or team is always needed for operations-based exercises and falls under the purview of the Exercise Planning Team Leader as well. Planning Team Responsibilities The exercise planning team size should be kept manageable but represent a full range of participating organizations and other relevant stakeholders. It is important to include whole community stakeholders, such as first responders/support agencies, advocacy groups, and those with limited English language proficiency. In addition, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) bring functional knowledge from their area of expertise. The Exercise Planning Team responsibilities include: Determine exercise objectives, evaluation plan, and control, and simulation systems Design, develop, conduct and evaluate results of exercise Develop scenario, Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEGs), and other exercise documentation Plan logistics for exercise conduct Identify, create, and distributes pre-exercise materials Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Trusted Agents SMEs contribute to the exercise planning team by: Adding expertise to the exercise planning team Providing functional knowledge for player-specific tasks evaluated through objectives Helping make the scenario realistic and plausible Ensuring appropriate evaluation of capabilities Trusted agents: Are individuals who understand that confidentiality must be preserved to maintain the integrity of the exercise. All members of the exercise planning team are trusted agents. Team members must not reveal details or share insight in order to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the exercise and evaluation process. This is especially important to those team members who may also serve as controllers or evaluators during exercise conduct. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 7 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Successful Planning Teams and Planning Team Roles and Responsibilities Successful Planning Teams Regardless of the size or scope of an exercise, an exercise planning team performs best with a clear organizational structure which clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and functional requirements for each role or position on the planning team. Tips for creating a successful planning team: Define roles, responsibilities, and functional requirements Engage elected and appointed officials and whole community leadership in exercise planning Use project management principles Follow standardized process Organize the team using NIMS Incident Command System (ICS) or other structure that defines support roles for each team member Planning Team Roles and Responsibilities Exercise planning team members are responsible for the exercise design and development, conduct of the exercise, and exercise evaluation. Based on elected and appointed officials guidance and program priorities, the team will establish exercise objectives and determine the core capabilities to be assessed during exercise play. Next, the team is responsible for creating a realistic scenario to assess the identified capabilities and objectives. As mentioned earlier, SMEs play a big role in creating plausible scenarios. The team develops supporting documentation for the exercise as well as process documentation, control and simulation documentation, and customized evaluation packets for participants. Team members also help with building and distributing pre-exercise materials and conducting exercise planning meetings, briefings, and training sessions. Keep in mind that being part of an exercise planning team is usually a collateral duty. It is very important to ensure candidates can make the commitment to actively participate throughout the process. Exercise Program: Why it is important Planning at the program level is required to ensure successful exercise process implementation. Segmenting requirements by task level help visualize exercise and program components. Exercise process is organized by task sequece, task categories and phases provide clarification. Exercise Program: Basic Components Initial Planning Meeting (IPM) Identify Costs and Liabilities Gain Senior Leader Support Exercise Planning Team Execute the Exercise Process https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 8 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Exercise Foundation Key Documentation Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Rolling Summary Report Multiyear Training Exercise Plan (TEP) After Action Report Exercise Foundation Key Documentation: THIRA Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) A tool used to assess an organization or jurisdiction’s objectives against performance thresholds to validate successful completion of critical tasks associated with targeted core capabilities. Exercise Foundation Key Documentation: Multiyear Exercise Plan (TEP) Based on a set of strategic, high-level priorities selected by Organization’s elected and appointed officials Priorities guide the development of exercise objectives Training and exercise program actions are implemented as Discussion-based and Functional exercises See HSEEP Document here. Exercise Foundation Key Documentation: After Action Report Qualitative summary designed to identify potential corrective actions in exercises or real-world events. The AAR is a draft improvement plan (IP) which is developed for an After Action Meeting (AAM). A final AAR is created once participants reach final consensus strengths and areas to improve. Concept and Objectives (C&O) Meeting The Concept and Objectives (C&O) meeting marks the formal beginning of the exercise planning process. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 9 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM Elected and appointed officials, representatives from all supporting organizations, and the exercise planning team leader attend the C&O meeting. Based on guidance from elected/appointed officials, exercise program priorities are defined and objectives are determined and aligned to core capabilities. In addition, the remainder of the exercise planning team members is identified. Meeting Focus Discussion Points Formal beginning of the planning process Identify the scope and objectives of the exercise Exercise scope Proposed exercise objectives and their aligned core capabilities Proposed exercise location, date, and duration Participants and anticipated extent of play for exercise participants Exercise planning team Exercise assumptions and artificialities Exercise control and evaluation concepts Exercise security organizations and structure Available exercise resources Exercise logistics Exercise planning timeline and milestones Local issues, concerns, and sensitivities Exercise Tools Meeting agenda Background briefing Exercise Outcomes Exercise concept Exercise timeline (group consensus) Extent of participant play Identification of planning team members Planning timeline, milestones, and meeting dates Follow-up Meeting minutes compiled and sent to participants within four (4) days Initial Planning Meeting (IPM) The Initial Planning Meeting (IPM) marks the formal beginning of the exercise development phase. Its purpose is to determine exercise scope by getting intent and direction from elected and appointed officials, and gathering input from the exercise planning team; and to identify exercise design requirements and conditions (e.g., assumptions and artificialities), exercise objectives, participant extent of play, and scenario variables (e.g., time, location, hazard selection). The IPM is also used to develop exercise documentation by obtaining the planning team’s input on exercise location, schedule, duration, and other relevant details. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Page 10 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM During the IPM, exercise planning team members are assigned responsibility for activities associated with designing and developing exercise documents, such as the Exercise Plan (ExPlan) and the Situation Manual (SitMan), and coordinating exercise logistics. Meeting Focus Formal beginning of the development phase Identify the scope and objectives of the exercise Discussion Points Clearly defined exercise objectives and aligned core capabilities Evaluation requirements, including EEG capability targets and critical tasks Relevant plans, policies, and procedures to be evaluated in the exercise Exercise scenario Modeling and simulation planning Extent of play for each participating organization Optimum duration of the exercise Exercise planners’ roles and responsibilities Decision to record exercise proceedings (audio or video) Local issues, concerns, or sensitivities Any discussion points typically covered during a C&O Meeting if a C&O Meeting was not https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html Exercise Tools These items should be provided at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled meeting: Read-ahead packet The meeting agenda Core capabilities Hazard and threat information (where applicable to the exercise) For discussionbased exercises: the proposed room layout For operationsbased exercises: a map of the proposed exercise venue, including a description of the local environment A copy of the proposed project timeline and milestones Exercise Outcomes Any outcomes from the C&O meeting Clearly defined exercise objectives and aligned core capabilities Initial capability targets and critical tasks, which will be reviewed and confirmed prior to the next meeting Identified exercise scenario variables (e.g., threat scenario, scope of hazard, venue, conditions) A list of participating exercise organizations and anticipated organizational extent of play Draft SitMan or ExPlan Identification and availability of all source documents (e.g., policies, plans, procedures) needed to draft exercise documents Follow-up Compile and distribute the IPM meeting minutes, including the next meeting date, time, and location Between meetings: Planning Team collaborates on assignments and prepares draft of exercise documentation Distribute draft documentation prior to the next scheduled meeting Page 11 of 48 Course Introduction 5/19/20, 5)12 PM conducted Consensus regarding the date, time, and location for the next meeting. https://emilms.fema.gov/IS.0139a/groups/127.html for exercise design and development Copies of the presentation briefing to be used at the meeting and presentations A refined exercise planning timeline with milestones Identification and availability of SMEs, as necessary, for scenario vetting and/or expert evaluation Determination of preferred communication methods among the exercise planning team Clearly identified and assigned responsibility for exercise logistical issues A list of tasks to be accomplishe ... 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