EDS Tactical Communication
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, tactical communications, and the integration of State and Federal assets 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 Capability:
Communications
Objectives
•	Identify the primary and secondary means of communication used by EDS staff to ensure redundant internal and external communications during a biological terrorism incident, in accordance to local standard operating procedures and the EDS Plan. 

•	Review the common response language (i.e. plain English) to be used by EDS staff during a biological terrorism incident, in accordance with Incident Command System/NIMS recommendations. 

•	Discuss how the Logistics Section Chief will ensure that personnel are appropriately trained on the redundant communication systems prior to the activation of an EDS in accordance with the EDS Plan and standard operation procedures. 

•	Examine the procedure for Logistics Section personnel to identify/rectify equipment incompatibility or deficiencies at an Emergency Dispensing Site operation, in accordance with local standard operating procedures and EDS Plan. 
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
•	Three 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]

Registration
Welcome and Overview
Introduction
Module 1: Detection and Activation
Module 2: Response Underway
Module 3: On-going Operations
Hot Wash
Module 1: Detection and Activation
[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 to open an initial Emergency Dispensing Site (EDS) at [name of an EDS] at [EDS address]. 

•	Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the [Your Town/City] Emergency Operation Center are fully activated.

Discussion
Module 2: Response Underway
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	An initial truck load of pharmaceutical supplies has entered [Your Region] and is nearing [Your Town/City].  The intense media coverage of the terrorist attack has drawn attention to the shipment of supplies. 

•	The Operations Section Chief has complained about poor radio reception in the loud gymnasium.

•	The Emergency Operations Center has contacted the EDS staff and requested a Situation Report (Sitrep), including the status of Communication capabilities on-site at [EDS name].

Discussion
Module 3: On-going Operations
[Month, Day, Hour]
•	[Your Town/City] Public Health officials have decided to activate another dispensing site at: [EDS name] at [EDS address] in the [Name of Neighborhood] area.  

•	To increase the town’s capacity to respond to this growing crisis, a MOU with the neighboring town of [City/Town name] has been activated.

•	EDS staff at [EDS name] are running low on medical supplies and need to make contact with the staff at [second EDS name]. 

•	The battery packs for the handheld radios are nearing exhaustion.

Discussion
Hot Wash
Hot Wash
•	Strengths 

•	Areas for Improvement

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