Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
TIP BOX 10.3
It is important that the facilitator controls the conversations and ensures
that the exercise is not about finding fault or error but rather to identify
opportunities for improvement. The participants are not being tested; rather,
the plans and procedures are being evaluated.
2. Example TTX with Breakout Groups
A state emergency manager has asked you to develop a statewide TTX
(Figure 10.4). The requirements include the involvement of four key agencies,
addressing objectives including coordination and communication between
the agencies and a scenario that addresses response to a major storm with
flood damages. The state also requests that the tabletop be presented in break-
out sessions with the different agencies arranged at separate tables or in sepa-
rate rooms so that a simulated statement process can be utilized.
You pull together a design team that includes representatives from the vari-
ous agencies and hold a kickoff meeting. During this meeting, you present
the general objectives and goals, ask for their particular goals and objectives,
and identify whether any additional participants should be invited to join
the design team. You also identify the potential locations for holding the
exercise and sketch out a timeline of goals that need to be reached in order to
accomplish the exercise. Several assignments are given out and assigned to the
design team members including locating and inviting a representative from
another agency, locating potential locations for the exercise, and several other
items. You set the date for the next meeting in two weeks.
At the second design team meeting, you present an outline of the scenario
and ask for input from the design team. The team then refines the issues and
topics that will be presented in the scenario. You then present ideas for the
objectives and the potential tasks that could be addressed under each objec-
tive. The design team adds their topics and tasks that they would like to have
F
Figure 10.4
Tabletop exercise: breakout groups with injects and messaging.
