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Exercises

Module E1

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Learning objective

By the end of this session participants will be able to

– Describe the importance of conducting an exercise,

– Describe the different kinds of exercises used for

testing preparedness of the communication response,

and

– List the benefits of exercises for testing the

preparedness for an emergency response

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Session outline

The importance of exercises for emergency risk

communication preparedness

Types of exercises

Modalities of exercises

Benefits of exercises

Photo: WHO/A.Bhatiasevi

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Why do we need exercises for emergency

risk communication Emergency situations are marked with uncertainty

Situation evolves very quickly

Need quick interventions to save lives and minimise health

consequences

Exercises are used as one of the most common tools to evaluate the

preparedness of institutions/professionals for emergency response in

the humanitarian community

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What is an exercise?

An opportunity to practice the

response to a potentially stressful

situation in a safe environment

Often based on a fictional scenario

with rapidly evolving situation in a

compressed timeframe

Elicits constructive discussion as

participants work through the

scenario and come up with solutions

and ideas for improvement

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Types of exercise

Orientation exercise

Drills

Full-scale exercise

Table-top exercise (TTX)

Simulation Exercise

(SimEx)

or functional exercise Photo: WHO/A.Bhatiasevi

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Types of exercises

Orientation exercise are often done in the form of a

lecture, seminar or discussion, to familiarise key

responders with the organizational procedures and their

roles and responsibilities

Drills

– Coordinated, supervised activities normally used to

test a single specific operation or function

– Their role is to practise or perfect one small part of

the response plan.

A full-scale exercise simulates a real event as closely to

reality as possible; designed to evaluate the operational

capability of systems in a highly stressful environment

that simulates actual response conditions. This type of

exercise involves all the named responders in the plan,

and requires deployment of personnel and equipment.

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Type of exercise

Table top exercise

– Convene key personnel to discuss a simulated or

imaginary emergency situation and allows for

testing of the emergency plan in an informal, low-

stress environment

– Should result in action plans for continued

improvement of the emergency plan

– The scenario and script must provide very detailed

information to recreate the events and facilitate

understanding and monitoring of actions

– “Time jumps” can be used to simulate a long

period of time in the imaginary emergency within a

few hours. Table top exercises require minimal

resources and money, and there are no major

security risks since it takes place in confined

space

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Type of exercises

Simulation exercise or functional exercise

– An interactive exercise that tests the capability of an

organization or other entity to respond to a simulated

emergency, disaster or crisis situation.

– Normally run as field exercises and include a scenario as close

to reality as possible.

– These exercises are for practical operations in which the

participants’ actions are evaluated.

– Actions that are taken and the way decisions are made in

response to the particular situation will determine the

development of the exercise.

– Security plans may be needed should there be exposure to

real physical risks and psychological support should be on

hand due to the emotionally taxing situations that may arise.

– Simulation exercise can be sector-specific or involve inter-

sectoral coordination.

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Modalities of simulation exercise

Often focuses on multiple hazards rather than one type of

an emergency

Often involves a multi-disciplinary personnel, teams,

organizations

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Benefits of Exercises

Provides an opportunity for improving the overall system for

responding to an emergency through practice, review,

evaluation and revision of the existing mechanisms

Provides individuals with a learning opportunity, by receiving

training and practicing their roles, without being in an actual

crisis

Provides an opportunity to clarify roles and responsibilities,

increase coordination (internally and externally)

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Exercise

1. Why are exercises conducted on public health

emergencies?

2. List at least 3 types of exercises with a brief description

3. What are the benefits of conducting an exercise?