EDS Operations
Tabletop Exercise
[Exercise Location]
[Exercise Date]
Welcome and Overview
Purpose
•	The purpose of this exercise is to provide participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans, and capabilities for a response to a bioterrorism event in [Jurisdiction]. The exercise will focus on local emergency responder command and control coordination, critical decisions, and dispensing operations necessary to save lives and protect public health and safety. 
Scope
•	The exercise will focus on the role of [Jurisdiction] in response to potential consequences of a bioterrorist event
•	Processes and decision-making are more important than minute details
•	The emphasis is on coordination, integration of capabilities, problem identification and resolution
Target Capabilities:
Mass Prophylaxis,
Volunteer Management and Donations
Objectives
•	Review the procedure for providing initial triage by the Operation Section during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures.

•	Discuss the necessary components for EDS staff to consider for the orientation process, during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 

•	Examine the procedure to be taken by the Operations Section when assessing medical history and exposure of clients during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 

•	Assess the adequacy of the Operations Section’s process for identifying contraindications during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 
Objectives
•	Review the process for the Operations Section to dispense medication during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures.

•	Discuss the necessary components for the Operations Section to address upon client departure, during an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 

•	Discuss the ability of the Operations Section to treat minors, non-English speakers, persons with disabilities and clients with special needs at an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 

•	Review the process for EDS staff to manage volunteers and staff within the EDS during a biological terrorism incident, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures. 

•	Discuss the necessary components for EDS staff to consider for the Just-In-Time Training of response staff, prior to and during a biological terrorism incident, in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operating procedures.
Participants
•	Players
–	Respond to situations presented
•	Observers
–	Support  players as they develop responses to the scenario
•	Facilitators
–	Provide situational updates and moderate discussions
•	Evaluators
–	Observe and record discussions
Exercise Structure & Guidelines
•	Five modules, each comprised of…
–	Multimedia situation updates
–	Moderated group discussion of response issues
•	This is an open, low-stress, no-fault environment. Varying viewpoints, even disagreements, are expected
•	Consider different approaches and suggest improvements
•	Base your responses on the current capabilities of your agency
•	Feel free to visit other participants
Assumptions & Artificialities
•	The scenario is plausible, and events occur as they are presented.
•	There is no “hidden agenda”, nor any trick questions.
•	All players receive information at the same time.
Agenda
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]
[Time]

Registration
Welcome and Overview
Introduction
Module 1: Activation and Arrival
Module 2: Orientation
Module 3: Registration
Module 4: Dispensing
Module 5: Departure
Hot Wash
Module 1: Activation and Arrival
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	Credible intelligence at home and abroad has projected the possibility of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.  

•	Intelligence and Health Care Communities have heightened awareness and surveillance measures.

•	A white powder incident in [Your Town/City] is confirmed by the State Lab as Anthrax.  Mass prophylaxis is needed to treat those exposed within 48 hours.  
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	[Your Town/City] has deployed resources and opened an initial Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) at [name of an EDS] at [EDS address]. 

•	Upon arriving at the Emergency Dispensing Site, clients have formed a sizable line outside of the main entrance of [EDS name] and are awaiting entry.
Discussion
Module 2: Orientation
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	After passing through the Triage stage of the dispensing site, the anxious citizens are filled with questions about the terrorist attack and their family’s safety.  

•	A person in line becomes visibly upset when she can’t seem to get an answer about how much medication she’ll be able to take to her family. 
Discussion
Module 3: Registration
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	The first sets of clients have reached the registration station and are anxious to get on with the process.  

•	As people begin to turn in the registration forms, it becomes clear that a Spanish speaking father of three is having trouble deciphering the forms for himself and his family.  

•	Another client has arrived and is visually impaired, causing the registration form to be useless.
Discussion
Module 4: Dispensing
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	Clients are receiving the necessary medication, however it appears the floor plan is causing a bottleneck. 

•	The Operations Section Chief has just tallied the first estimated throughput and realized that they are not reaching the goal set out in the EDS Plan.

•	A Section Chief notices that a client has been arguing with a [City/Region] Medical Reserve Corps volunteer for several minutes.  The two cannot seem to agree about the intensity of an allergy.

Discussion
Module 5: Departure
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	A number of concerned citizens have been lingering around the EDS facility after receiving medication, awaiting more news about the situation.  

•	Several people have expressed concern about what steps they should take after the initial amount of medication has been exhausted.  

•	Forms and informational handouts have begun to pile up outside of the exit door, raising concern from a member of the EDS staff.
Discussion
Hot Wash
Hot Wash
•	Strengths 

•	Areas for Improvement

•	Next Steps for [Your City/Town]
Thank you for participating!
[Department name]
[Phone #]
[Email address]