Training Opportunity: FEMA EMI Virtual TableTop Exercise Series

Course: V-0005 - Virtual Tabletop Exercise Series (VTTX) – Tornado Focus

The deadline for applying to participate in the exercise is
December 14, 2012.

 930 - Training Opportunity - VTTX V0005 Jan 20 2013

Exercise Date & Location:

 January 23, 2013, Virtual Exercise – Multiple Locations


Exercise Description:

This exercise is the fifth in a series of 12 Virtual Tabletop Exercises (VTTX) offered monthly by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). The VTTX involves key personnel from a community-based organization discussing simulated scenarios in an informal setting, and can be used to assess plans, policies, training and procedures. This VTTX differs from other Tabletop exercises in that it will be conducted using Video-Teleconference (VTC) technology, and is intended to provide an opportunity for responders across the Nation to simultaneously participate in a hazard-specific facilitated discussion. Lead facilitation for the exercise will be coordinated by EMI, with local facilitation provided by the participating agency. This format will allow the common delivery of exercise materials, scenarios, modules, and discussion questions among those participating in the exercise.

Benefit to the Emergency Management Community:  

The VTTX is a pre-packaged set of exercise materials requiring reduced effort by participating organizations. The novel delivery method will allow participating communities to share real-time tornado related preparation, response and recovery concerns and solutions with all participants providing a unique environment for learning lessons and sharing information.

Exercise Goal:  

This virtual exercise will enable the participants to exercise their knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively conduct all-hazards emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Overall goals include:

1. Prepare participants for a tornado affecting their community.
2. Enable participants to better coordinate their response operations with counterparts from local governments, other State governments, Federal agencies, private sector organizations, and nongovernmental agencies.
3. Leverage VTC technology to reach remote sites.
4. Provide a virtual, experiential education environment to exercise and enhance critical response and recovery tasks.

This delivery method will allow participating communities to share real-time tornado related preparation, response and recovery concerns and solutions with all participants.

Exercise Length:  

4 Hours. Start time is 12:00 p.m. EST and end time is 4:00 p.m. EST (to accommodate participants in multiple time zones).

Target Audience:  

This VTTX is designed for a “community-based” organization with representation from multiple Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), comprised of whole community stakeholders and partners involved in a tornado event response and recovery.


Exercise Design:

This VTTX is designed to engage the participants in a no fault, hazard-specific exercise discussion. The lead facilitation will occur via VTC from the EMI campus, and will be complimented by a dedicated local agency facilitator at each VTC site.

The VTTX will be supported by an Exercise and Coordination Facilitation Guide, which will include all required logistical information (room layout, connection instructions, etc.), as well as facilitation and hot wash instructions.

The VTTX will consist of:

• A hazard awareness briefing on the scenario hazard.
• Three discussion modules presented by the EMI facilitator.
• Local discussion with guided questions facilitated by an on-site facilitator.
• Brief-outs from each participating location after each module.
• Hot wash conducted at each location after the VTC has ended.

Participation Requirements:

The VTTX will be limited to 10 locations per exercise. Participants must have an appropriate site equipped with VTC capability that can access the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) VTC site (connection information will be provided by EMI). Participating locations will be responsible for local exercise logistics, and should designate an exercise coordinator to implement the logistical requirements for the exercise. In addition, the location must provide a person capable of facilitating the on-site portion of exercise. Electronic copies of the related exercise materials (Exercise and Coordination Facilitation Guide, Situation Manual, agenda, etc.) will be provided in advance by EMI.

To Apply:

Locations interested in participating in the VTTX series should submit an email request to participate in the exercise to Todd Wheeler at Todd.Wheeler@fema.dhs.gov, phone (301) 447-1101; or Al Fluman at Al.Fluman@fema.dhs.gov, phone (301) 447-1299. When applying, please provide a central point of contact from your organization to work all issues. Each location will receive a notice from EMI and will be provided with relevant logistical information and exercise materials to set up and facilitate the exercise locally.

The deadline for applying to participate in the exercise is December 14, 2012.

Schedule of future VTTXs:

Note - a separate announcement will be sent out for each offering

February 20, 2013 (V-0006) – Scenario: Wildland Fire (Prep for potentially dry season in March and other times of year)
March 13, 2013 (V-0007) – Scenario: Flood (Prep for April thaw and storms)
April 24, 2013 (V-0008) – Scenario: Rail Hazardous Materials Incident (Non-seasonal)
May 15, 2013 (V-0009) – Scenario: Hurricane (Prep for upcoming hurricane season)
June 26, 2013 (V-0010) – Scenario: Mass Casualty (Prep for upcoming vacation season)
July 10 , 2013 (V-0011) – Scenario: Fixed Hazardous Materials Incident (Non-seasonal)
August 21, 2013 (V-0012) – Scenario: CBRNE – Biological (Anniversary of 9/11, plus new ideas and methods of attack)
(Note: If you have previously submitted an email request specifically for V-0005; you do not need to re-send.)