Tabletop Exercise Tornado

1
Tabletop Exercise Tornado
2
Tabletop Objectives

• Demonstrate the activation and use of the
  Incident Command System.
• Identify additional campus mitigation and
  preparedness needs.
• Provide input for continued emergency operations
  planning.

3
Tabletop Processes

• A scenario and update statements will be used to
  generate discussion of probable response actions.
• Participants will provide situational responses
  based on established procedures and plans. The
  Emergency Operations Plan is available for
  reference. Other than maps and diagrams, no
  additional materials will be provided.
• The exercise will conclude with development of
  action steps needed to support future mitigation
  and preparedness efforts.

4
Ground Rules

• This is not a test of current capabilities and
  plans. It is a discussion of probable responses
  to a hypothetical emergency and consequent
  cascading events.
• The exercise will be an open dialogue. All ideas
  and input are welcome.
• Finger pointing is not acceptable. There will be
  no GOTCHA.
• One person speaks at a time.
• The scenario will be accepted as is. However, the
  facilitator may make modifications at her
  discretion.
• No hypothetical resources are available.
• There should be no expectation of issue
  resolution.

5
Date Time 630 PM

• A meeting is planned in the XXX starting at 730.
  Approximately 75 students, faculty, and community
  members are expected to attend.
• There is an intramural softball practice in
  progress on XXX Field.
• The NWS issues a tornado alert for XXX County.

6
Discussion Questions

• How do you find out about the Tornado Warning?
• Who is notified and how?
• Are there particular buildings/areas of immediate
  concern?
• What actions are taken at this point?

7
Date Time 647 PM

• NOAA radio notifies that XXX County is under a
  Tornado Warning.
• An F3 tornado has just destroyed numerous
  buildings in (nearby small city).
• The tornado is moving at 30 mph in a
  northeasterly direction.

8
Discussion Questions

• Who is in charge of response operations at this
  point?
• What are current priorities and concerns?
• What protective measures are taken?
• What facilities measures are taken (e.g., gas
  shutoff)?
• What additional notification processes are
  undertaken?

9
Date Time 700 PM

• An F4 tornado touches down near XXX Hall. There
  is major structural damage to this building and
  the roof is gone. The XXX Dormitory and the
  Science Building are also severely damaged. A
  large metal tank near the softball field it
  ruptured on impact and is leaking. You have
  limited communications capability. Phone lines
  are out, and cell phones are working
  sporadically. However, you learn that there have
  been other touchdowns at the hospital
• and the jail.

10
Discussion Questions

• Who is primarily responsible for immediate
  situational analysis and response?
• How, when, and where is the EOC activated?
• What are your immediate challenges and how will
  they be addressed?

11
Date Time 815 PM

• You have determined that the tank is leaking
  water. Damage to the science building is not as
  bad as anticipated, and the area is secured.You
  continue to be without power except from
  generators.
• Parents and concerned community members are
  congregating on campus. Numerous students are
  leaving the area. City and county responders are
  now arriving on campus. The media are not
  cooperating reporters and photographers seem to
  be everywhere.
• Casualties to date
• 62 students with minor injuries
• 8 students with life-threatening injuries
• 5 unidentified bodies
• 10 students, 1 facilities staff, and 1 security
  staff reported missing. Search and rescue
  operationscontinue.

12
Discussion Questions

• There are now a number of agencies on campus. How
  will unified command be established? What areas
  of responsibility does the campus ICS retain?
• What are the notification processes regarding
  casualties?
• What is the current involvement of Student Health
  Services? Counseling? Residence Life? Others?
• What are you going to do about the media?
• How will the issue of closing the university be
  addressed? What information will the decision
  makers need? Who is responsible for gathering
  this information?

13
Date (3 weeks in future)

• The university was completely closed for a week.
• A total of ten students and one staff member died
  from their injuries. The media reports that a
  number of parents are considering lawsuits.
• The media has been relentless in its examination
  of the university response to this emergency.
  Questions of preparedness have been raised
  repeatedly.
• Repairs to damaged buildings have begun but will
  not be completed until September at best.
• Donations of money and a wide array of items
  have poured into the university.

14
Discussion Questions

• What are the effects of the one-week closure and
  how can they be mitigated?
• What will be done about the displaced students?
• How will donations be handled?
• How will memorials be handled?
• What immediate and long-term recovery issues are
  facing the university and how might these be
  resolved?

15
Hotwash

• Did this exercise increase your awareness of
  campus mitigation and preparedness needs? How?
• Will this exercise provide input for continued
  emergency operations planning? How?
• What action steps should this group take now?