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Guidelines for Transportation Emergency Training Exercises
4.0 DISCUSSION-BASED EXERCISES
This section describes the process that can be used by transportation agencies to develop the
discussion-based exercises specified in the progressive exercise program, concentrating on the table-
top exercise. Section 5 presents this process for operations-based exercises.
Whether conducted for discussion-based or operations-based exercises, the exercise planning
process involves considerable coordination within the transportation agency and among potential par-
ticipating agencies and officials. The planning process includes convening a planning team, setting
program management timelines, conducting planning conferences, identifying exercise design objec-
tives, developing the scenario and documentation, assigning logistical tasks, managing the exercise,
and identifying the evaluation methodology.
OVERVIEW
Although seminars, workshops, and games are types of discussion-based exercises, the most com-
monly used discussion-based exercise in transportation is the tabletop. In the transportation envi-
ronment, a tabletop exercise is typically a 4- to 8-hour facilitated discussion centered on an incident
scenario. The scenario unfolds in discrete time periods (e.g., over 24 hours from incident detection
Tabletops require and verification through notification, initial response, dispatch and mobilization of resources, evacu-
a set of ation and treatment of the injured, damage assessment and repair, stabilization of the scene, and
coordinated gradual restoration of service).
planning
activities to be The basic outline of events and response under way during each time period is portrayed in short brief-
successfully ings (using PowerPoint presentations, photographs, video clips, or other means of communication). At
conducted and the end of each briefing, a caucus period provides participants with the opportunity to discuss the issues
evaluated. associated with responding to the scenario presented. In addition to the briefings, a situation manual
(sometimes called a player's handbook) is provided that corresponds with the briefings and provides
additional details about the incident and response.
To facilitate discussion, participants are divided into small groups by functional area. Participants are
encouraged to periodically migrate between groups to foster communication. At the conclusion of
each caucus session, a spokesperson from each group will report back to all attendees about what
was discussed.
After the tabletop is complete, a series of evaluation activities will be performed to assess perfor-
mance and identify areas of improvement. First, a debrief is performed among participants to gather
their assessments regarding the tabletop. Then, an AAR will be developed to document the tabletop,
and an improvement plan will be prepared to integrate recommendations into the transportation
agency emergency planning, training, and exercise programs.
EXERCISE PLANNING TEAM
The exercise planning team is responsible for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating all
aspects of transportation emergency exercises. The planning team determines exercise design objec-
tives; tailors the scenario to transportation and jurisdictional needs; and develops documents used in
simulation, control, and exercise evaluation.
The exercise planning team for discussion-based exercises is typically smaller than the team needed
for operations-based exercises. As explained in Section 3 of this report, in the transportation environ-
ment, one to three persons can typically organize a tabletop exercise or game when supported by con-
sultants and members of an ad hoc team, committee, or task force assembled with local responders.
The exercise planning team is often managed by a lead exercise planner (also referred to as the exer-
cise director, exercise planning team leader, or point of contact). The team should be a manageable
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