Tabletop Exercise Tornado Altered from Original , retrieved Nov08 from http://cscs.txstate.edu/txssc/downloads/HESSI/

Tabletop Objectives• Demonstrate the activation and use of

the Incident Command System.

• Identify additional campus mitigation and preparedness needs.

• To provide input for continued emergency operations planning.

Ground Rules• This is not a test of current capabilities and plans. It is a

discussion of probable responses to a hypothetical emergency and consequent cascading events.

• The exercise will be an open dialogue. All ideas and input are welcome.

• Finger pointing is not acceptable. There will be no GOTCHA.

• One person speaks at a time.

• The scenario will be accepted as is. However, the facilitator may make modifications at her discretion.

• No hypothetical resources are available.

• There should be no expectation of issue resolution.

Map of ATU campus

Date: November 11, 2008 Time: 3:30 PM•A meeting is planned in Tucker

Coliseum starting at 3:30pm. Approximately 75 students, faculty, and community members are expected to attend. •There is an intramural baseball practice in progress on Tech’s baseball field.•The NWS issues a tornado alert for Pope County.

Discussion Questions

• How do you find out about the Tornado Warning?

• Who is notified and how?• Are there particular buildings/areas

of immediate concern?• What actions are taken at this point?

Date: November 11, 2008

Time: 4:07 PM• NOAA radio notifies that Pope

County is under a Tornado Warning. • An F3 tornado has just destroyed

numerous buildings in Dardanelle.• The tornado is moving at 30+ mph in a northeasterly direction.

Discussion Questions• Who is in charge of response operations at

this point?• What are current priorities and concerns?• What protective measures are taken?• What facilities measures are taken (e.g.,

gas shutoff)?• What additional notification processes are

undertaken?

Date: November 11, 2008

Time: 5:00 PMAn F4 tornado touches down near Arkansas Tech University. There is major structural damage to the coliseum and the roof is gone. The Caraway Dormitory and McEver the Science Building are also severely damaged. A large metal tank near the baseball field has ruptured on impact and is leaking. You have limited communications capability. Phone lines are out, and cell phones are working sporadically. However, you learn that there have been other touchdowns at the hospital and the jail.

Discussion Questions

• Who is primarily responsible for immediate situational analysis and response?

• How, when, and where is the EOC activated?

• What are your immediate challenges and how will they be addressed?

Date: November 11, 2008

Time: 8:15 PMYou have determined that the tank is leaking water. Damage to the science building is not as bad as anticipated, and the area is secured.You continue to be without power except from generators. Parents and concerned community members are congregating on campus. Numerous students are leaving the area. City and county responders are now arriving on campus. The media are not cooperating; reporters and photographers seem to be everywhere.

Casualties to date:62 students with minor injuries 8 students with life-threatening injuries 5 unidentified bodies10 students, 1 facilities staff, and 1 security staff reported missing. Search and rescue operationscontinue.

Discussion Questions• There are now a number of agencies on campus. How will unified

command be established? What areas of responsibility does the campus ICS retain?

• What are the notification processes regarding casualties?

• What is the current involvement of Student Health Services? Counseling? Residence Life? Others?

• What are you going to do about the media?

• How will the issue of closing the university be addressed? What information will the decision makers need? Who is responsible for gathering this information?

Date: November 11, 2008 (3 weeks in future)

• The university was completely closed for a week.

• A total of ten students and one staff member died from their injuries. The media reports that a number of parents are considering lawsuits.

• The media has been relentless in its examination of the university response to this emergency. Questions of preparedness have been raised repeatedly.

• Repairs to damaged buildings have begun but will not be completed until September at best.

• Donations of money and a wide array of items have poured into the university.

Discussion Questions• What are the effects of the one-week closure

and how can they be mitigated?

• What will be done about the displaced students?

• How will donations be handled?

• How will memorials be handled?

• What immediate and long-term recovery issues are facing the university and how might these be resolved?

Hotwash

• Did this exercise increase your awareness of campus mitigation and preparedness needs? How?

• Will this exercise provide input for continued emergency operations planning? How?

• As a CERT member what would a possible role be for you in a situation like this?

• As a student of Emergency Management what possible roles could you play in a situation like this?

Moodle Questions

Exercise Survey