Important ConceptsImportant Concepts

EMST ConfigurationsEMST Configurations

Tabletop Exercise ConfigurationTabletop Exercise Configuration

EMST is project on a screen and used as a discussion driver

Participants are divided into role groups

Participants discuss the scenario and decide what actions to take

Decisions are entered into EMST.

Can be paused where necessary to allow time for discussion.

Functional Exercise - IndividualFunctional Exercise - Individual

Single participantSimulated teammates

Functional Exercise - TeamFunctional Exercise - Team

One organizationOne or more live participants per role, often co-locatedMinor roles can be simulated

Functional Exercise – Multi-Functional Exercise – Multi-OrganizationOrganization

Multiple organizations such as State EOC and JFHQMultiple locationsEach organization will have their own After Action Report.

HurricaneScenario

HurricaneScenario

Multi-Organization ExercisesMulti-Organization Exercises

FL State EOC Add Exercising Organization FL

State EOC

Orange CoFL

Local EOC

First one scheduled is “parent”Parent facilitators control the start of the exercise

Multi-Organization ExercisesMulti-Organization Exercises

GAState EOC

FL State EOC

Orange CoFL

Local EOC

Some scenarios allow more than one instance of an organization Example: Pandemic – event happens in

all states All instances get the same injects

Some scenarios have a primary organization and support organizations Example: RDD – event happens in one

state, other states support Support organizations get different

injects from the primary organization

GAJFHQ

Parent Exercise

FL State EOC

GASupport

State EOC

Parent Exercise

Multi-Organization ExercisesMulti-Organization Exercises

Available organizations are listed in the scenario description

AssessmentAssessment

Concrete feedback is required to build expertiseRoles are assessed on doctrinally based tasks

Responsibilities may overlap between team members; the assessment reveals how team members work together to achieve overall goals.

AssessmentAssessment

Who does it / How long do they have?TriggersFulfillmentsPromptsRemindersAction ConsequencesInaction ConsequencesStoppers

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Doctrine is translated into Expected Actions

Assessable User ActionsAssessable User Actions

Communicate via Phone or EmailRead Web ArticleLook at BulletinRead an EmailLog actionFill out meeting slideGo to meetingCheck JIEECheck TrackerSend FormAnswer Question

Participant TasksParticipant Tasks

When running as “novice” or “intermediate” the user will get task prompts“Expert” does not get promptsAlways use “novice” mode for facilitated team exercises

Coordinating an Coordinating an ExerciseExercise

Participant ConfigurationParticipant ConfigurationJ-Staffs and ESFs often work as a team – there is a primary and support staffSenior leadership is often reluctant to have hands on the keyboardOften a role is handled by a small team at one EMST station One participant acts as the computer operator to receive

information and enter decisions Other participant(s) coordinate face-to-face with other

roles. Pairings are often Junior/senior pairing Members of different

shifts This is appropriate for an exercise where the participants are located in one facility

Preparing the ParticipantsPreparing the ParticipantsDon’t let them get “stuck in the interface”They should use the tools, software, forms, reachback capabilities, etc. that they always useParticipants should bring these resources to the exercise or have them available from the exercising computer JFHQ examples: perstat, logstat forms, standing orders,

secure logistics computers Civilian IC examples: radios, chem-bio handbooks, HazMat

guides, identification vests

Other Coordination Other Coordination ConsiderationsConsiderations

Support and approval from the local leadership is critical to the success of an exerciseAre any other organizations participating? Supporting JFHQs Link to local or state EOC HRF, CERFP, CST elements

Are any VIPs invited? Local/state emergency manager Governor/Senior government officials TAG FBI liaisons

Is this a press opportunity?Is any senior leadership (TAG, government officials) interested in attending or providing opening remarks?If executing at a military installation, Sr leadership may require an in-brief (purpose) and out-brief (results)

Be Prepared to LeadBe Prepared to LeadKnow the scenario to be exercised – Play through several of the roles yourself, ideally as a team (let us know if you see issues!)Know the key issues they should be addressing in each time segmentKnow who the key roles are (Battle Captain, EM)Be prepared to step in when necessary This is a training event – don’t just sit back and let them fail A successful event for them is a successful event for us

Be Prepared to LeadBe Prepared to LeadPoints where you may need to step in Introductory remarks at the start of the exercise Lead Meetings – situation briefs, BUBs, CUBs, FUOPS Bring up command-level discussion points for meetings Control the flow of the exercise – if everyone is just sitting

around, see if they are ready to fast forward to the next segment

Lead the AARIf the local leadership has things in hand, then DON’T step in

ChecklistsChecklistsOn Arrival: Test the state of the scenario (can you run the scenario with

all participating computers connected?) Test the streaming video Test the streaming connection in the exercise (do you get

injects? Can you fast forward?) Test Forms to ensure they open (each type - .doc, .pdf, .ppt,

etc) Setup user accounts for those participating (if not done

previously) Test Headsets/VOIP (if using) Test projected station

Is the overhead projector working? Does it have sufficient resolution to show the interface? If using TV or an individual computer to provide sound for

video clips, ensure the speakers are working Ensure you can get files to a computer for emergency

slides/forms uploads Create shortcut links as a convenience to the participants

ChecklistsChecklistsTutorial / Introductory Remarks Explain the sections of the interface:

Buttons Email, Phone, Bulletin board, Television, Meetings,

etc. Tasks and Injects

“How” Button Remind them to work as a team by communicating inside

and outside of the program Talk to each other When you make a decision, document it through the

system

ChecklistsChecklistsScheduling the Exercise Remember to add a host with no roles for the overhead

projector Remember to add a host for the Host / White Cell station Specify “novice” level Remember to select the county / stateAfter the Exercise Ensure all links, shortcuts or saved files are deleted as

appropriate

Questions?Questions?