Scotty E. HancockRome/Floyd LEPC

LEPC EXERCISING

LEPC Partnership

The LEPC is the regulated community and the regulators, the first responders and the health care providers, government agencies and the general public, all working toward a

common goal of hazardous chemical planning and safe response.

LEPC Partnership

The Public Sector

Governmental Entities

Business and Industry

LEPC Exercising

Table-top Functional Full scale Must conduct at least one a year!

Common ProblemsTendency to start with full scale exercises Tendency to exercise without an existing or

up-to-date plan Tendency to try to do everythingTypically held during DAY TIME

Exercise Basic NeedsStart with the Plan Is it current? Do players know it’s contents? Exercising is intended to tell you if it is

relevant Review real world response summaries Periodical articles Individuals who have “been there”Contact industry

Exercise PlayersManagement personnel for community Larger cities - typically field supervisors Lieutenants, battalion chiefs, etc Smaller communities - typically “Chiefs” Facility Emergency Coordinators and

backups Interfacing State agencies State Police, GEMA Specialty resources--hazmat team

LEPC ExercisingPlan Awareness Scenario “Learn to walk before trying running”

Table Top ExerciseEasy to conduct “like a college seminar” with moderator Typically no cost to conduct Generally last a couple of hours Focus on management-supervisory issues Command

Table Top ExerciseGreat for improving awareness of plan Good for learning who’s who Putting faces to names and departments Good for learning of community resources Good for learning gaps and overlaps in plan Little stress and typically informalGreat to get to know industries plans

Functional ExerciseWhat most people call table tops Stress is introduced Events-actions dictate exercise play “ready or not” Exercise design should be as realistic as

possible Avoid “blind leading blind”

Functional ExerciseRequires typically a group to conduct the

exercise controllers simulators evaluators

Works best when players “play” their real roles

Also good for cross training

Functional ExerciseTypically lasts 2-3 hours Includes :

introduction to play exercise play critique Can be conducted in either “test” or

“educational” modes one should assess group being exercised in

deciding which mode

Functional ExerciseCan be extremely pressurized Information overload or absence Must know details Must go through a simulation or it didn’t

happen

Functional ExerciseWorks best for strategic and tactical

decisions Does not get into hands-on action No equipment is moved Works best with management and

supervisory personnel playing their own roles in command post environment--ICS and/or EOC

Functional ExerciseControllers & Simulators must know

community resources and capabilities Players like to CHEAT! Allows “props” only when they exist in

reality maps, photos, computer software If not brought, they don’t count Next time they will remember

Functional ExerciseTypically this exercise will provide skills

needed to “manage” a response It can be enhanced by exercise props Video news updates Call in center Video of facility walk-ins Multiple locations EOC vs ICS Multiple towns & groups

Full Sale ExerciseShow Time! Expensive to conduct Prop costs Smoke Consumables Personnel time Equipment

Full Scale ExerciseIt takes more exercise staff to conduct: Safety Controllers--outside world Simulators Smoke production Liquid flows Evaluators Command Scene

Full Scale ExerciseShould be last type of exercise to conduct Players should have learned their roles in

table top and functional programs Allows system to see if it worked in

“simulated” reality Command Logistics Communications

Full Scale ExerciseCan be conducted in either test surprise or

known time mode Surprise mode can be dangerous if

response included Hazmat full scale exercises typically

become a plug and patch exercise Wait for hazmat team Watch hazmat team Thank hazmat team

Full Scale ExerciseTypically run in real time Presents problems with time controlled

resources Hazmat team Typically total run by real “simulated”

effects Smoke plume Liquid flow Victims

Full Scale ExerciseSimulated effects may not cooperate with

game plan Smoke did go where it was suppose to Responder indicates their not trained to

conduct what needed and refuse to continue

It rained or snowed It was fifty below zero or 100 F

Full Scale ExerciseNot enough resources available to respond

to problem This is classic exercise design problem cheating is often allowed to finish the

missions must be back in service by “X” time

Exercise must be aware of resource limitations 100 patients vs 2 ambulances 10 ambulances vs 2 patients

Full Scale ExerciseVictims can be most difficult part to obtain Like to be fed Don’t like to get up early Like to go home early Will cancel out if a better offer arises Moulage allows for realism and better

training if EMS is a focus Victims should not “help” players

SummaryKEEP IT SIMPLE!

SummaryYou can teach the wrong way as easily as

teaching the right way! Think of exercises as another tool in the

overall program-- Plans Training Equipment Exercises