Twilight Twister Tabletop Exercise, 2017 Exercise Briefing Date
Name Title/Position Organization Welcome and Overview
Exercise Scope: Exercise Overview This exercise is a tabletop, planned for two hours at exercise location. Exercise play is limited to discussion and will involve exercise participants. Focus Areas for Each Module: Module 1: Communications and Initial Operations Module 2: Ongoing Operations and Resource/Information Sharing Module 3: Volunteer Management/Recovery and Mitigation
Objectives and Capabilities In accordance with jurisdictional plans, policies, and procedures, public and private entities will identify the process of establishing a unified and coordinated operational structure that will facilitate the response to a severe weather incident. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capability: Emergency Operations Coordination FEMA Core Capability: Operational Coordination
Objectives and Capabilities In accordance with jurisdictional plans, policies, and procedures, incident response personnel will identify the process of resource management, tracking, and sharing to facilitate effective incident response and adequate medical care delivery to all populations. Hospital Preparedness Program Capability: Health Care and Medical Response Coordination, Objective 3: Coordinate Response Strategy, Resources, and Communications Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capability: Emergency Operations Coordination
Objectives and Capabilities In accordance with jurisdictional plans, policies, and procedures, incident response personnel will identify the process of maintaining a constant flow of incident and health-related information utilizing appropriate protocols and systems used during incident response. Hospital Preparedness Program Capability: Health Care and Medical Response Coordination, Objective 2: Utilize Information Sharing Procedures and Platforms FEMA Core Capability: Information Sharing
Objectives and Capabilities In accordance with jurisdictional plans, policies, and procedures, public and private entities will identify the process of sending, receiving, and updating timely, reliable, and actionable health and safety information in relation to a severe weather incident through clear and consistent information delivery methods. Hospital Preparedness Program: Health Care and Medical Response Coordination, Objective 2: Utilize Information Sharing Procedures and Platforms FEMA Core Capability: Public Information and Warning
Participant Roles and Responsibilities Players: Respond to situation presented based on current plans, policies, and procedures Observers: Support players in developing responses, but do not participate in moderated discussion Facilitators: Provide situation updates and moderate discussions Evaluators: Observe and document player discussions
Exercise Structure Each module summarizes key events occurring within that time period: Module 1: Tornado Occurs Module 2: Managing the Incident Module 3: Recovery and Mitigation Review the situation Discuss appropriate response and recovery issues within your group Select a spokesperson to share your group s discussion points
Exercise Guidelines This is an open, low-stress, no-fault environment. Varying viewpoints, even disagreements, are expected Base your responses on the current plans and capabilities of your organization Decisions are not precedent setting; consider different approaches and suggest improvements Issue identification is not as valuable as suggestions and recommended actions that could improve mitigation, response, and recovery efforts; problem-solving efforts should be the focus
Assumptions and Artificialities The exercise is conducted in a no-fault learning environment wherein capabilities, plans, systems, and processes will be evaluated The exercise scenario is plausible, and events occur as they are presented All players receive information at the same time
Exercise Schedule Introduction Module 1: Tornado Occurs Break Module 2: Managing the Incident Break Module 3: Recovery and Mitigation Hot Wash Conclusion
Module 1 Tornado Occurs
Module 1 Day 1, 1800 A severe thunderstorm has developed in your Indiana District. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has just issued a tornado watch for your county. Residents in the area are advised to stay alert for weather changes and further updates. Day 1, 1900 At least one tornado has been sighted in your county near the largest city. The local National Weather Service (NWS) office has issued a tornado warning for your county. Residents in the area are advised to seek shelter immediately.
Module 1 Day 1, 1930 An EF4 tornado with damaging winds has just swept through the area traveling an approximately five mile path through your county through mostly urban and suburban areas. The number of fatalities is currently unknown; numerous people are injured to varying degrees. Most buildings and other infrastructure in the path of the tornado have been significantly damaged. Utility service has been disrupted in the immediate area. There is also no cellular phone service in the area. Multiple main roads are partially or fully blocked with debris.
Module 1: Key Issues An EF4 Tornado has traveled through your county causing severe damage for a 5-mile stretch. Numbers of fatalities and injuries are currently unknown. Cell service is down and several roads are blocked to varying degrees.
Module 1: Discussion Time allotted for discussion of Module 1
Module 2 Managing the Incident
Module 2 Day 1, 2000 911 centers are being overwhelmed by numerous calls from the area. Available first responders have been dispatched to the affected areas and are triaging and transporting patients. Local resources are stretched thin, and the need for additional response services is quickly becoming apparent. Day 1, 2030 Hospitals in the area are becoming inundated with patients from EMS deliveries. These hospitals and other frontline facilities are also receiving numerous individuals self-presenting with varying degrees of injury. Additionally, several hospitals and healthcare facilities are running on emergency power and will soon be in need of additional generators and fuel.
Module 2 Day 3, 2030 It is approximately 48 hours after the tornado dissipated. There are 12 fatalities total and dozens of injuries. Crews are working on restoring utility services in the area, though this is not expected to be accomplished for several weeks. Cell phone service has been restored in some areas, but not all. Additionally, hospitals and other frontline facilities are receiving numerous worried well walk-ins that are an added drain on the healthcare system.
Module 2: Key Issues Hospitals and frontline facilities have an influx of both transported and self-presented patients. Local healthcare resources are being overwhelmed. Several emergency facilities are running on emergency power and will soon run out.
Module 2: Discussion Time allotted for discussion of Module 2
Module 3 Recovery and Mitigation
Module 3 Day 7, 0800 It is approximately seven (7) days after the tornado. The medical surge has subsided. Cleanup efforts are underway. For some facilities, utility services are still not fully restored this includes a few hospitals/healthcare facilities. Additionally, numerous volunteer groups in addition to groups from major organizations (e.g. American Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.) are arriving on scene at the disaster sites and at various hospitals and healthcare facilities in the area to offer their assistance. These consist primarily of local church groups, sports teams, various troops/clubs, and individuals by themselves. There are also several groups from neighboring cities and counties that have come to lend their assistance.
Module 3: Key Issues It is seven (7) days removed from the tornado incident. Some healthcare facilities still do not have full utility service restoration. Volunteer groups besides those from major volunteer organizations are arriving to offer assistance.
Module 3: Discussion Time allotted for discussion of Module 3
Strengths Hot Wash Areas for Improvement
Closing Comments