Exercises
In addition to creating and implementing emergency response plans, USU Emergency Management is also responsible for conducting several exercises to improve prepardness in the case of an emergency. These exercises help to identify any gaps in response plans, improve communication between outside agencies, and educate the campus community to ensure safety in the event of an emergency situation.
What is a Tabletop Exercise?
A Tabletop Exercise (TTX) is a discussion-based exercise used to test plans and procedures for responding to emergency situations. During a Tabletop Exercise, emergency staff and any necessary participants walk through a hypothetical scenario to pinpoint any potential errors or gaps in emergency response plans. Tabletop Exercises are conducted in a safe, controlled environment to refine and identify areas for improvement in order to prepare for a crisis situation.
Benefits of a Tabletop Exercise:
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- Low-cost in comparison to full-scale exercises
- Safe to conduct
- Improves communication
- Identifies areas for improvement
- Low stress environment
What is a Functional Exercise?
Functional Exercises are simulated practice drills that evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency plans. They are typically conducted with key personnel from emergency departments such as fire, police, medical, etc. to simulate a real-time emergency situation for the purpose of evaluating a focused portion of the emergency plan. During a Functional Exercise, participants act out their roles as they would be performed in the event of a crisis, with real-time challenges to encourage and evaluate decision making. Functional Exercises are more realistic than a Tabletop Exercise and often result in the identification of crucial gaps in existing preparedness plans, helping response teams better prepare for real-world emergencies.
Benefits of a Functional Exercise:
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- More realistic than a Tabletop Exercise
- Controlled environment
- Less expensive than a full-scale exercise
- Identifies areas for improvement
- Builds teamwork and confidence between agencies
- Allows for a more focused evaluation
What is a Full-Scale Exercise:
Full-Scale Exercises are as close as you can come to simulating an actual real-time emergency situation. These exercises are complex and often include multi-agency collaboration and participation with the deployment of first responders, volunteers, and emergency services organizations. During a Full-Scale Exercise, the entire emergency response system is evaluated from plan to personnel. These boots-on-the-ground exercises help to improve the overall emergency response approach and identify areas in need of attention including budget allocation, training needs, and plan revisions.
Benefits of a Full-Scale Exercise:
- Most realistic simulation of an emergency situation
- Best identifies unexpected problems in emergency plans
- Improves communication between agencies
- Provides valuable training for responders
Request a Full-Scale Exercise
