United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Water/Waste water Agency
Response Network (WARN):
Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
September 2008
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Office of Water (4608T)
EPA817-R-08-005
September 2008
www. epa. gov/watersecuritv
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Prepared under:
Work Assignment No. 3-05
Water Sector Emergency Preparedness and Response Activities
EPA Contract No. EP-C-05-045
Technical, Analytical, and Regulatory Mission Support for the Water Security
Division
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Disclaimer
The information presented in this document
provides an example of how a tabletop
exercise may be developed and conducted
for a Water/Wastewater Agency Response
Network (WARN). This document is not
intended to serve as guidance. Mention of
trade names or commercial products does
not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
Questions concerning this document or its
application should be addressed to:
John Whitler
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water,
Water Security Division, 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue NW, Mail Code: 4608T,
Washington, DC 20460
Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.qov/safewater
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
John Whitler, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Bradley Armstrong, Computer Sciences Corporation
Alfredo Lagos, Computer Sciences Corporation
Raymond Riordan, Computer Sciences Corporation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Project Team wish to thank the following individuals and organizations for their participation in
support of the project:
Bridget O'Grady
Association of State Drinking
Water Administrators
Greg Grover
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 6
Michael Burrington
North Michigan Rural Community
Assistance Partnership
Patti Lamb
North Carolina WARN
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
Charlene Denys
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5
Lynn Gilleland
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1
Patti-Kay Wisniewski
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 3
Robin Halperin
Ohio WARN
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Background 7
What is the Purpose of the WARN Tabletop Facilitator Guide? 7
What are the Benefits of Conducting a WARN Tabletop Exercise? 8
How to Plan for a WARN Tabletop Exercise 9
Step 1: Identify Roles and Responsibilities 10
Step 2: Create WARN Tabletop Exercise Materials for a Participant Handout 11
Step 2.1 Establish Objectives 12
"Developing" WARN Example Objectives 13
"Established" WARN Example Objectives 13
Step 2.2 Identify Assumptions 14
Step 2.3 Develop Exercise Rules 14
Step 2.4 Review Scenarios and General Discussion Questions 14
Step 3: Create Multimedia Presentation 16
Step 4: Create Invitations, Sign-in Sheets, Badges and Complete Room Logistics 16
Step 5: Conduct the Exercise - Schedule of Events 16
Step 6: Evaluate the Exercise 17
Step 7: Conduct Debrief Meeting with Facilitators/Evaluators/Exercise Design Team... 18
Step 8: Analyze Evaluator Forms, Participant Evaluation Forms, Verbal Exercise
Evaluation, and Debrief Notes 18
Step 9: Draft an After Action Report 18
Step 10: Implement After Action Activities 19
Attachment 1: Seven Types of Exercises 21
Attachment 2: Steps for Developing and Conducting a WARN Tabletop Exercise 23
Attachment 3: Sample WARN Tabletop Exercise Agenda 24
Attachment 4: List of Potential Participants 25
Attachment 5: Sample Participant Handouts 26
Attachment 6: Example Scenarios 37
Scenario 1: Flood Scenario 37
Scenario 2: Hurricane Scenario 40
Scenario 3: Earthquake Scenario 42
Attachment 7: Sample Questions 44
Discussion Questions 1: For "Developing" WARN 44
Discussion Questions 2: For "Established" WARN 48
Attachment 8: Sample PowerPoint Presentation Materials 52
Attachment 9: Sample Exercise Evaluator Form 53
Attachment 10: Sample Participant Evaluation Form 57
Attachment 11: Debriefing Comment Capture Form 60
Attachment 12: Debrief/Hot Wash Questions for Consideration 62
Attachment 13: Six Areas for Implementing After Action Activities 64
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
The Water Sector (drinking water and wastewater utilities) has been developing intrastate mutual
aid and assistance agreements, commonly referred to as Water/Wastewater Agency Response
Networks (WARNs). The "Utilities Helping Utilities" concept continues to evolve as newly
formed WARNs work through development of their programs. While some are well-established
and have responded to emergencies, other WARN programs are in the development stages and
have not practiced implementation of their agreements. As a result, WARNs have requested a
tool to exercise and validate their intrastate mutual aid/assistance operational plans and
agreements in preparation for an actual emergency. This tool can help WARNs exercise the
intrastate activation of their agreements and mutual aid/assistance operational plans.
What is a Tabletop Exercise?
Tabletop exercises are discussion-based exercises designed to bring together key personnel to
discuss hypothetical scenarios in an informal setting. Tabletop exercises often precede an
orientation training and review of applicable plans and procedures. According to the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
(HSEEP), this type of exercise is used to assess plans, policies, and procedures, and to evaluate
the systems necessary to facilitate prevention of, response to, and recovery from an incident1.
Tabletop exercises typically are aimed at facilitating understanding of concepts, identifying
strengths and shortcomings, and effecting changes in the approach to a particular situation.
Participants are encouraged to discuss issues in depth and to arrive at decisions through slow-
paced problem solving, rather than the rapid, spontaneous decision making that occurs under
actual or simulated emergency conditions. Please see Attachment 1 for information on other
types of exercises and where the tabletop exercise fits in.
In tabletop exercises, facilitators and/or presenters usually lead the discussion, guiding
participants and keeping the focus on exercise objectives. The effectiveness of a tabletop
exercise depends on pre-exercise planning, a facilitator's skills, the energetic involvement of
participants, and the implementation of corrective action after the exercise. The following
materials assume that facilitators have little or no experience with developing or conducting
exercises. Modifications to the materials are encouraged to meet the specific needs and
objectives of each WARN exercise.
The WARN Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide and accompanying exercise materials are meant
to guide a WARN in the development and execution of a tabletop exercise to create, update
and/or improve its WARN mutual aid/assistance operational plan and agreement. The following
process is a suggested methodology and does not imply requirement. WARNs are encouraged to
modify all of the exercise materials presented here to meet their individual needs.
What is Included in the Document?
The WARN Facilitator Guide includes:
Instruction sections describing the steps for developing and conducting a WARN tabletop
exercise
1 For more information on the U.S. DHS HSEEP, visit hUps://hsccp.dhs.gov/pagcs/1001 HSEEPT.aspx
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
List and Description of Exercise Types
Sample Exercise Agenda
Sample List of Exercise Participants
Sample Participant Handout
Easily modifiable example scenarios that cover:
o Flood event
o Hurricane event
o Earthquake event
Sample discussion questions for a "Developing" and "Established" WARN
Sample PowerPoint presentation materials (NOTE: Contained in a separate document)
Sample Exercise Evaluator Form
Sample Participant Evaluation Form
Sample Debrief Comment Capture Form
Sample Debrief/Hot Wash Questions
Sample After Action Activities Form
"Facilitator Note" boxes throughout the attachments that provide hints and suggestions
to assist in developing, conducting, and evaluating the exercise. WARNs are free to
adopt or adapt all of the exercise materials presented here.
o Facilitator notes are for instructional purposes only, to help guide development of
an exercise involving a novice facilitator. More experienced facilitators may
adjust the information as needed.
o Facilitators that use any of the sample materials for an exercise should first
remove all "Facilitator Note "boxes.
Practicing and exercising the WARN Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan (MAAOP) and
agreement, or other procedures helps member utilities better understand how the agreement may
be implemented. By practicing the functionality of activating the agreement and operational plan,
a WARN can respond more effectively and efficiently during an actual incident. Additionally,
tabletop exercises facilitate opportunities to:
Build relationships between WARN members (large and small utilities; urban and rural
utilities)
Define participants' roles and responsibilities in the WARN process, including the
involvement of utilities, the state drinking water primacy agency, state wastewater
permitting authority, state and local emergency management and response agencies, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (as appropriate) and supporting
professional organizations
Provide an opportunity to practice the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan and
identify any gaps in its implementation
Discuss how resources can be mobilized and demobilized
Test the activation of the agreement
Test the mechanism for requesting and matching resources
Test the ability of participants to follow the WARN agreement and Mutual
Aid/Assistance Operational Plan prior to an emergency
Refine components of the WARN agreement, the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational
Plan, and administration to manage the WARN, as well as modify each as needed
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Support from policy level personnel is critical to set the tone and direction of an exercise. As
such, the WARN Steering Committees identifies when, where, and how the Tabletop Exercise is
designed. The Steering Committee may follow the recommended steps presented in this
Facilitator Guide to develop, organize, and conduct a tabletop exercise. They may follow all or
some of the steps presented here. The steps include activities in preparation of the exercise,
activities to complete during the exercise, and activities following the exercises. Table 1
describes the sequence of steps for developing, organizing and conducting a WARN tabletop
exercise. The remaining sections of this document describe the sequence of steps in more detail
and provide suggestions on how to carry out the 10 steps.
Table 1. Steps for developing and conducting a WARN tabletop exercise
1. Identify Roles and Responsibilities
2. Create WARN Tabletop Exercise Materials for a Participant Handout
a. Establish Objectives
b. Identify Assumptions
c. Develop Exercise Rules
d. Review Scenarios and General Discussion Topics
3. Create Multimedia Presentation
4. Create Invitations, Sign-in Sheets, Badges and Complete Room
Logistics
5. Conduct the Exercise - Schedule of Events
6. Conduct Verbal Exercise Evaluation
7. Conduct Debrief Meeting with Facilitators/Evaluators/Exercise Design
Team
8. Analyze Evaluator Forms, Participant Evaluation Forms, Verbal
Exercise Evaluation, and Debrief Notes
9. Draft an After Action Report
10. Implement After Action Activities
Note: See Attachment 2 for a single-page duplicate of Table 1.
Who Should Take the Lead in Organizing the Exercise?
The WARN Steering Committee may appoint a Facilitator to manage the 10-step process. To
assist the Facilitator, an Exercise Design Team (EDT) may be established to help complete the
following steps:
decide on the length of the exercise (see Attachment 3 for a sample agenda for the day of
the exercise),
assist in creating and producing the exercise materials (see Attachment 5 for sample
materials),
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
monitor progress on the development of the exercise, and
ensure that the exercise is focused on the selected goal and objectives.
How Long Does it Take to Plan and Conduct an Exercise?
An EDT may meet on a regular basis to prepare for the exercise. The frequency of the meetings
may vary based on the WARN's experience in conducting exercises, number of participants, level
of detail, available resources, and size of the EDT. The level of detail and number of participants
can dramatically impact the amount of time needed to plan, design, conduct, and complete the
exercise. The DHS HSEEP suggests that it may take about five months from the first exercise
design meeting to execute the exercise and to complete an exercise evaluation. The initial
planning meeting serves to confirm exercise objectives, discussion questions, and the exercise
process. The final planning meeting is for completing exercise documents, including the
presentation and participant handouts. Additional time may be required to deliver invitations to
participants prior to the exercise. The information and materials provided in this document are
intended to aid the exercise Facilitator and EDT and perhaps shorten the effort and time it may
take to organize the exercise.
For more information on HSEEP planning timelines for exercise meetings, see HSEEP Volume II,
Chapter 1: Foundation. For additional assistance with organizing and facilitating the exercise,
WARNs are encouraged to partner with exercise specialists from local emergency management.
The WARN Steering Committee typically guides the exercise process. Its primary role is to
help communicate the purpose, need, and enthusiasm for developing the exercise. The committee
determines who may be involved with the design, execution, and evaluation and selects a target
date for the exercise. The target date needs to be considered very early in the process. It is
important to contact the desired participating agencies early in the planning process to ensure that
a mutually satisfactory date is selected and that desired agencies are represented. This can be a
challenge. A date may be good for the lead agencies, but may pose a major conflict for other
desired participants.
The following information describes the facilitator, participant, evaluator, and observer roles.
The Facilitator leads the exercise design effort and may be assisted by an Exercise Design Team.
More than one Facilitator may be appointed if the exercise is large. During the exercise, the
Facilitator provides situation updates and moderates discussions. The Facilitator also provides
additional information and resolves questions. Key Exercise Design Team members may also
assist with facilitation as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) during the discussion.
Assumptions for Facilitators include:
Familiarity with drinking water and wastewater utilities in their state,
Familiarity with the role of their state drinking water primacy agency and state
wastewater permitting agency,
Familiarity with the WARN concept as presented in:
o May 2006 "Utilities Helping Utilities" white paper, authored by the American
Water Works Association (AWWA), and
Familiarity with basic concepts of emergency management, including the FEMA courses:
o Introduction to the Incident Command System, IS-100, and
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
o IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction.
Three types of attendees (listed immediately below) may be invited to participate in the exercise.
The Facilitator can identify and select which type of attendees and how many may be present at
the exercise, as it can impact how the exercise is organized and presented. A Facilitator can use
the following approach for exercises that include as few as 15 participants and up to as many as
200. Level of detail and number of participants can dramatically impact the amount of planning
time needed to complete the exercise.
Participants respond to the exercise materials, scenario, questions, and other parts of the
exercise. They are encouraged to base responses on their knowledge of response procedures,
current plans and procedures, and insights derived from past training and experience. For a list of
potential participants, see Attachment 4.
Evaluators monitor the exercise, track accomplishments according to objectives and may ask
questions. They are not encouraged to participate in the moderated discussion period. Criteria
for selecting evaluators include:
Familiarity with emergency management concept of operations, protocols and procedures
Familiarity with the mutual aid/assistance operational plan and/or emergency response
plan that is the focus of the exercise
Membership in a water sector association
Observers are invited specialists familiar with the local services and related emergency plans.
They can offer suggestions for improving specific tasks or responses. For example, a
representative from the local Emergency Operations Center may monitor exercise play to ensure
local procedures are followed.
In addition to these roles, the WARN Steering Committee may find it necessary to designate
other roles that can assist the Facilitator, such as a coordination or communication role.
Step 2 includes four activities, which may require a series of discussions between the Facilitator,
Exercise Design Team (if designated) and the WARN Steering Committee. These activities are:
Establish Objectives
Identify Assumptions
Develop Exercise Rules
Review Scenarios and General Discussion Questions
Each of these activities results in the details captured in a participant handout developed by the
Facilitator and Exercise Design Team. For a sample participant handout, see Attachment 5 which
includes:
Exercise Agenda
Introduction to the exercise
Exercise Objective
Assumptions
Exercise Rules
Scenario
Discussion Questions
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Evaluation
2.1
Objectives are established at the outset of organizing the tabletop exercise to help direct the
activities and outcome of the exercise. The actual objectives should be tailored to the needs of
your WARN program.
To initiate the process, the Facilitator may draft a list of tabletop exercise objectives based on the
goal set by the WARN Steering Committee. The following lists provide samples that the
Facilitator may use as a starting point. In reviewing the list, the Facilitator should determine
whether the WARN is a "developing" or "established" WARN. New WARNs are encouraged to
not skip over the "developing" WARN objectives in order to use the "established" WARN
objectives, as the participants may miss out on reviewing essential topics that are more relevant to
a "developing" WARN. The objectives are presented to the participants at the start of the
exercise using either written or audiovisual methods. The objectives set the stage for "why the
participants are here." Rather than presenting all of the objectives during one exercise, additional
WARN tabletop exercises can be conducted as needed to address remaining objectives.
Below are two lists of sample objectives:
The first set of objectives is for a new or "developing" WARN. Although a WARN is in
place, members may not have yet responded to an event. In this case, the exercise can
help the WARN develop a Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan for response to an
event.
The second set of objectives is for a more "established" WARN. These WARN members
have responded to an event, or developed and practiced some portions of a Mutual
Aid/Assistance Operational Plan. In this case, the exercise can help the WARN improve
its existing Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
"Developing" WARN Example Objectives
At the conclusion of this exercise, participants from a "developing" WARN
should be able to:
Refine participants" roles and responsibilities in the WARN process,
including specifying the involvement of utilities, state drinking water
primacy agency, state wastewater permitting authority, state and local
emergency management agencies, and EPA (as appropriate),
Refine components of the WARN agreement and administration to
manage the WARN, as well as modify each as needed,
Define or refine components of the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational
Plan, including:
o Notification and activation,
o Coordination,
o Mobilization,
o Operational support, and
o Demobilization,
Identify potential gaps in the agreement, and
Address expectations of growth, engagement, and membership of the
WARN program, and logistics to support that growth.
"Established" WARN Example Objectives
At the conclusion of this exercise, participants from an "established'' WARN
should be able to:
Validate participants' roles and responsibilities in the WARN process,
including those for utilities, state drinking water primacy agency, state
wastewater permitting authority, state and local emergency management
agencies, and EPA (as appropriate),
Validate the WARN agreement and other legal issues,
Validate the WARN Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan according
to the different phases of response, including:
o Notification and activation,
o Coordination,
o Mobilization,
o Operational support, and
o Demobilization
Develop other purposes/benefits of a WARN program before, during, and
after an emergency or other situations, including:
o Security events,
o Routine communications, and
o Training
Refine components of the state WARN agreement, the Mutual
Aid/Assistance Operational Plan, and administration to manage the
WARN, as well as modify each as needed.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
2,2
In any discussion-based exercise, a number of assumptions may be necessary to complete play in
the time allotted. Assumptions help guide the level and type of participation you may expect
during "exercise play." Typical assumptions include:
The scenario is plausible, and events occur as presented,
There are no "hidden agendas" or trick questions, and
All participants receive information at the same time.
At the outset of the exercise, the Facilitator can instruct participants to evaluate the "process" of
the WARN itself- not the scenario. The Facilitator presents the assumptions to the participants
at the start of the exercise using either written or audiovisual methods.
2.3
A tabletop exercise also depends on following rules, such as those described below, to ensure
effective discussion. The Facilitator can modify the list of rules as needed.
There is no single solution. Varying viewpoints, even disagreements, are expected and
dialogue is encouraged within a safe, open, stress-free environment.
Respond based on your knowledge of existing plans, capabilities, and insights derived
from past training and experience.
Your organization's positions or policies do not limit you. Make your best decision
based on the circumstances presented.
Decisions are not precedent-setting and may not always reflect your organization's
position on a given issue. This is an opportunity to discuss and present multiple
solutions.
Focus on problem solving, suggestions, and recommended actions that could improve
response and preparedness efforts.
Assume cooperation and support from other responders and agencies.
The basis for discussion consists of the scenario narratives, your experience, your
understanding of the WARN program, your intuition, and other utility resources included
as part of this material.
All the information required to drive the discussion during the exercise is contained in the
exercise material.
Treat every scenario as if it might affect your area.
The rules of the exercise are to be presented to participants at the start of the exercise using either
written or audiovisual methods. If participants indicate they are not able to make management
decisions for the organization, encourage them to participate in the discussion and dialogue. The
Facilitator should instruct participants to respond according to what is presented in the materials,
and not what they may have learned from outside sources.
2,4
The benefit of a tabletop exercise is promoting discussion among the participants. The example
scenarios are designed to help participants focus on a common "picture" or event to test the
objectives designated during development of the exercise. Multiple scenarios are offered in
Attachment 6. The Facilitator and Exercise Design Team can determine which of the sample
scenarios may elicit the most interest and discussion from participants. The scenario alone is
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insufficient to direct a tabletop exercise discussion. Therefore, the inclusion of questions that are
designed to solicit dialogue on specific topics is recommended. Designing questions that promote
the intended discussion is an important aspect of exercise design.
During the planning meetings, the Facilitator and Exercise Design Team should set aside time to
review and evaluate the types of questions that need to be developed based on the designated
objectives. The tabletop exercise could focus on a variety of issues including:
Roles and responsibilities of WARN members
Articles of the WARN agreement
Process and procedures to activate and use WARN in response and recovery:
o Notification
o Activation
Communication with utilities, WARN, state drinking water primacy
agency, state wastewater permitting authority, and other stakeholders,
such as local and state emergency management agencies
o Coordination
Communication and information management
Damage assessment - refinement and information sharing between
utilities
Public information sharing and reporting
Transportation and access
Interaction with the state Emergency Management Assistance Compact
(EMAC) coordinator
o Mobilization
Resource request and matching process
Resource typing methodology
o Operational Support
Resource requests - anticipating requests and pre-staging resources,
developing procedures for making and fulfilling requests, tracking and
reporting on resource status, and recovering resources
Personnel requests - qualifications, certification, training, and expertise
o Demobilization
Transitioning from response to recovery and demobilization
Facilitation Tools developed for the WARN program
o Damage Information Collection Forms
o Web-based systems
o Networked and interoperable communications
Attachment 7 provides sample questions specific to both "Developing" and "Established"
WARNs. The sample questions are intended to be applicable to many different scenarios. The
Facilitator and Exercise Design Team should review and identify a list of discussion questions to
cover during the tabletop exercise. Minor modifications may be needed if a new scenario is
created by the Exercise Design Team. Rather than present all of the issues during one exercise,
additional WARN tabletop exercises can be conducted as needed to address remaining issues.
The Facilitator can modify the sample list of questions (in Attachment 7) to address topics that a
specific WARN has encountered.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
A Facilitator can use PowerPoint or similar multi-media tools to manage the delivery of the
exercise. Sample presentation materials (see Attachment 8) demonstrate what may be included in
an audiovisual presentation. Maps or diagrams can be included in the presentation to enhance the
designated scenario and discussion questions.
Invitations for designated participants should be planned several months in advance to ensure
participants can attend. Information about the exercise needs to be sent out well in advance of the
exercise and includes:
Date, time, and location of exercise
Goals and objectives
Materials that participants should review prior to attending the exercise (for example,
review draft mutual aid/assistance operational plan or utility specific emergency plans).
Sign-in sheets at a check-in table are needed to document who attends the exercise. Using name
badges for participants can satisfy the purpose of helping to build relationships between WARN
members and response partners. Completing room logistics refers to ensuring that an
appropriately sized room for the exercise is selected and reserved based on the number of
anticipated participants and audiovisual needs of the presentation. Additionally, the room should
be set up to enable optimal viewing of audiovisual materials and interaction between the
Facilitator and participants.
Seating and room arrangement can depend on the exercise goals and objectives. Goals and
objectives determine who may be invited, the number of invitees, the level of involvement of
those invited. For example, if the goal is to establish interagency coordination, emergency
management agencies, utilities, and primacy agencies may need to attend. If the goal is to
improve utility-to-utility communications, then the invitee list focuses on utility representation.
Likewise, goals and objectives determine seating arrangements. If the goal is interagency
coordination, seating arrangements will call for mixed tables of agencies sitting together. The
room size determines whether the room will be arranged in lecture style or table format. As noted
above, other logistical considerations include ensuring optimal viewing of audiovisual materials.
Additional logistical preparations that a WARN may consider include location of the exercise,
meals/refreshments, or optional Internet access.
At the check-in table near the entrance of the room where the exercise is to be held, the
sign-in sheet, name badges, and participant handouts should be set out for the
participants.
The tabletop exercise begins with a brief welcome and introduction by the Facilitator.
The Facilitator can review administrative details and the session purpose and objectives.
This review includes the role of participants and expected outcomes of the exercise. At
this point the Facilitator could distribute the participant handout as an alternative to
providing it to participants upon entry. The participant handouts include a list of the
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exercise objectives, a copy of the exercise scenario, an evaluation form, along with
additional support materials.
3. Next, the Facilitator can introduce the exercise scenario by using an audiovisual
presentation with an overhead projector or by reading from the participant handouts. The
Facilitator can instruct the participants to follow along in their copy of the participant
handouts.
4. Following the scenario presentation, the Facilitator can lead the facilitated discussion
portion of the tabletop exercise using the scenario questions selected during the exercise
design. The Facilitator can provide a hardcopy list of discussion questions to the
participants or alternatively, questions may be provided verbally and supplemented with
an audiovisual display, or listed on flip charts or displays on the wall. In either case, the
Facilitator can introduce the discussion questions sequentially to focus the discussion and
encourage participants to deliver their responses in a sequential manner. During the
facilitated discussion portion, the Facilitator may introduce additional questions to spark
or refocus the discussion. The Facilitator can also use the questions to keep the
participants engaged. The Facilitator should be aware of time constraints to ensure
participants address all vital questions.
5. During the facilitated discussion portion of the exercise, there may be participants who
speak more than others. The Facilitator should be attentive to those participants who may
have questions or who are less vocal or involved, to ensure a consistent comprehension of
the issues and to foster dialogue among all participants.
6. The Facilitator can wrap up this portion of the exercise by encouraging participants to
complete their discussion. The Facilitator can summarize main points and observations
from the discussion.
Exercise evaluation can be a multi-tiered process and may include:
Written evaluations by exercise evaluators,
Written participant evaluations (this may be submitted anonymously), and
A verbal debriefing (often referred to as a "Hot Wash") following the exercise
During the discussion portion of the exercise, the Facilitator may use evaluators, whose function
is to monitor the exercise and track participant progress toward meeting the exercise objectives.
These evaluators document their observations on an Exercise Evaluator Form (see Attachment 9).
This information is included in the After Action Report and/or Improvement Plan.
Immediately following the discussion portion of the exercise, the Facilitator may ask all
participants to complete the written Participant Evaluation Form to assess exercise preparations
and logistics, as well as participant performance (see Attachment 10). After sufficient time has
elapsed to complete the form, the Facilitator can conduct a short verbal debriefing or "Hot
Wash." The "Hot Wash" allows for participants to provide prompt feedback - including their
level of satisfaction with the exercise - and to identify any issues, concerns, or proposed
improvements to their WARN program.
The sequence of steps for a Facilitator to complete the "Hot Wash" includes:
1. Advising the participants that they should:
a. Provide brief (1-2 minutes), focused comments
b. Provide constructive comments only
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
c. Identify what went well and what needs improvement
2. Ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to provide comments and that the
discussion stays on point
3. Instructing participants that more detailed comments should be provided on the written
Participant Evaluation Form
4. Collecting the written Participant Evaluation Forms before participants leave the exercise
venue
The Facilitator may pre-designate a recorder to capture and summarize the verbal evaluation
comments and recommendations identified during the "Hot Wash", including the agreed-upon
plan of action, schedule, and responsibility for implementing the recommendations (see
Attachment 11 for a Debrief Comment Capture Form).
For a list of debrief or "Hot Wash" questions for consideration by the Facilitator, see Attachment
12.
For additional information on exercise evaluation, see HSEEP Volume III, Chapter 3:
Improvement Planning.
Following the exercise and participant evaluation, the Facilitator, along with Exercise Design
Team members, can meet to capture their observations. Referred to as a "debrief," this allows
planners, facilitators, observers, and evaluators to review and provide feedback on the exercise.
The EOT leader facilitates discussion and allows each person an opportunity to provide an
overview of the area they observed. A pre-designated recorder may summarize the notes from
this meeting including identified strengths and areas of improvement.
An Exercise Design Team member or pre-designated evaluation team can collect and analyze
data from Evaluator Forms, Participant Evaluation Forms, verbal exercise evaluation notes, and
notes from the debrief. Others sources, including plans or procedures, may be analyzed as
appropriate. The Exercise Design Team or evaluation team can then compare actual results of the
exercise with the objectives and intended outcome.
Information analyzed from the verbal exercise evaluation, the participant evaluation forms, along
with the debrief notes and other sources of information (described below), can form the basis for
the WARN tabletop exercise After Action Report. The After Action Report (AAR) summarizes
how the exercise was developed and executed, observations about the exercise, and comments
from participants, including:
1. How the exercise was designed,
2. Objectives identified as the focus,
3. Scenario narrative and questions,
4. Delivery of exercise,
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
5. Best practices or strengths,
6. Areas for improvement that need to be addressed,
7. Designation of priority areas for improvement, and
8. Recommendations for resolving areas for improvement following the exercise.
The AAR may be prepared by the Exercise Design Team or evaluation team and reviewed by the
WARN Steering Committee. Whether it is the EOT or evaluation team, the authors should
consist of personnel from the sponsoring agency and each organization participating in the
exercise. This provides for a representative evaluation in which consensus is reached, rather than
each participating organization compiling and distributing a report of their observations
independently.
In addition to the exercise analysis, the overall tabletop exercise objectives should form the basis
of the AAR. Each AAR has three critical elements:
1. Observed successes or problems for each objective. This includes (a) positive statements
about something that was done exceptionally well or about procedures used that should
be advertised or shared; or (b) areas that need improvement (something that happened
that was not supposed to occur or something that did not, but should have occurred).
2. A lesson learned for each observation. This can include (a) a statement of the positive
action, if any, taken to generate success, or (b) a statement of the action that should have
been taken to avoid or alleviate the problem.
3. A recommended action for each lesson learned. This should describe how to duplicate
the success or permanently correct the problem, and who is responsible for
implementation. The recommendation could result in a requirement for new or modified
plans or procedures, procuring of new equipment, etc.
In addition to development of the After Action Report, other post-exercise activities can include
documentation of the exercise preparation, results of the exercise, suggested improvements, and
ongoing communication with participants to update them on progress of identified improvements
and status of other preparedness activities. Corrective actions taken to remedy issues observed
during evaluation of the exercise can be assigned to a designated person or organization using an
Improvement Plan that specifies incremental benchmarks and deadlines for completion. The
Improvement Plan can be used to track progress on all resulting corrective actions identified in
the AAR.
The Improvement Plan can consist of a simple matrix (Table 2) including the following six areas:
1. An identified action, task, or follow-up,
2. Designated responsible person or organization,
3. Designated people that should be involved,
4. Resources and possible sources,
5. Timeline: short term goal, and
6. Timeline: long term goal.
See Attachment 13 for a single-page, blank duplicate of Table 2.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Table 2. Six areas for implementing after action activities
Action/Task/
Follow-Up
Individual or Agency
Responsibility
People Who Should Be
Involved
Resources and
Possible Sources
ime me
_. .
T °
AJJ u 4 4J
e.g., Address how to capture requested
data and identify mechanism to fransmit
e.g., Utility X,Y,Z
e.g., WARN Representatives
and communications
technicians
e.g., Funding for
interoperable radios from
FEMA Interoperable
Program
e.g., Establish one-page
request form and table of utility
frequencies
e.g., Establish
independent radio
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
A WARN may periodically exercise its mutual aid/assistance operational plan to validate its ability to
execute and evaluate the plan. A WARN may use a multi-year exercise plan to initiate a "building-block"
approach in which training and exercise activities focus on specific capabilities in a cycle of escalating
complexity. This section describes seven exercise types. There are four discussion-based exercises
(seminars, workshops, tabletop exercises, and games) and three operations-based exercises (drills,
functional exercises, and full-scale exercises).
Discussion-based exercises are normally used as a starting point in what is known as the HSEEP
"building-block" approach to developing exercises that include multiple activities and organizations. The
WARN Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide and exercise materials focus on tabletop exercises.
Seminars
Seminars are informal discussions, unconstrained by real-time portrayal or enactment of events. Led by a
presenter, seminars are generally employed to orient participants toor provide an overview of~
authorities, strategies, plans, policies, procedures, protocols, response resources, and/or concepts and
ideas. Seminars provide a good starting point for entities that are developing or making major changes to
their plans and procedures.
Workshops
Workshops represent the second tier of exercises in the HSEEP building-block approach. They differ
from seminars in two important respects: there is more participant interaction, and the focus is on
achieving or building a product (such as a draft plan or policy). Organizations often use workshops in
conjunction with exercise development to determine objectives, develop scenarios, and define evaluation
criteria. A workshop may also be used to produce new standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency
operations plans (EOPs), Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreements (MAAs), multi-year plans, or
improvement plans. To be effective, workshops must focus on a specific issue, and have clearly defined
desired outcomes or goals.
Tabletop Exercises
Tabletop Exercises bring together key personnel to discuss hypothetical scenarios in an informal setting.
WARN Members can use this type of exercise to assess plans, policies, and procedures or to evaluate the
systems needed to guide the prevention of, response to, and recovery from a defined incident. Tabletops
are typically aimed at facilitating understanding of concepts, identifying strengths and shortcomings, and
achieving changes in the approach to a particular situation. An exercise facilitator encourages
participants to discuss issues in depth and develop decisions through slow-paced problem solving, rather
than the rapid, spontaneous decision making that occurs under actual or simulated emergency conditions.
The effectiveness of a tabletop is derived from the energetic involvement of participants and their
consideration of recommended revisions to current policies, procedures, and plans. A WARN may
participate in independent, state, or local tabletop exercises.
Games
A game is a simulation of operations that often involves two or more teams and uses rules, data, and
procedures to depict an actual or hypothetical situation. The goal of a game is to explore decision-making
processes and the consequences of those decisions. A game does not require use of actual resources. The
sequence of events affects, and is in turn affected by, decisions made by players. With the evolving
complexity and sophistication of current simulations, opportunities to inject greater realism have
increased. Computer-generated scenarios and simulations can provide a method of introducing highly
realistic situations and making conditions change on the fly. Planner decisions can be input into realistic
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
models to show the effects of decisions made during a game. An additional benefit of Internet-based,
multi-player games is that they depict a collaborative environment that reflects realistic occurrences.
Operations-based exercises represent the next level of the exercise cycle. They are used to validate the
plans, policies, agreements, and procedures solidified in discussion-based exercises. Operations-based
exercises include drills, functional exercises (FEs), and full-scale exercises (FSEs).
Drills
A drill is a coordinated, supervised activity used to validate a single, specific operation or function in a
single agency or organizational entity. Drills are commonly used to provide training on new equipment,
develop or validate new policies or procedures, or practice and maintain current skills. Typical attributes
of drills include:
a narrow focus, measured against established standards;
the generation of immediate feedback;
a realistic environment; and
a way to test performance in isolation.
Functional Exercises
A Functional Exercise is designed to evaluate and validate individual capabilities, multiple functions,
activities within a function, or interdependent groups of functions. Functional exercises focus on an
exercise scenario with dynamic events that drive activity at the management level. A functional exercise
simulates everyday operations in a functional area by presenting complex and realistic problems that
require rapid and effective responses by trained personnel operating in a highly stressful, time-constrained
environment. A WARN may participate in independent, state, or local functional exercises.
Full-Scale Exercises
Full-Scale Exercises are multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, multi-organizational exercises that validate
many facets of preparedness. They include many players operating under cooperative systems, such as an
Incident Command System (ICS), to effectively and efficiently prevent, respond to, or initiate recovery
from an incident. Full-scale exercises focus on implementing and analyzing the plans, policies,
procedures, and cooperative agreements developed in discussion-based exercises and honed in previous,
smaller, operations-based exercises. In full-scale exercises, a highly realistic depiction of operations in
multiple functional areas presents complex and realistic problems that require critical thinking, rapid
problem solving, and effective responses by trained personnel. During full-scale exercises, facilitators
project events through a scripted exercise scenario with built-in flexibility to allow updates that drive
activity. The exercises play out in real time, creating a stressful, time-constrained environment that
closely mirrors real-life events.
A WARN can plan for at least one tabletop exercise annually. Functional and full-scale exercises may
occur periodically. In planning and conducting either type of exercise, the WARN can engage the state
emergency management agency, state drinking water primacy agency, and state wastewater permitting
authority. Additionally, the WARN may participate in independent, state, or local full-scale exercises.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^=^f^^==^^^^^^^^^^^^^^=
..:::..:::::..::..:::.::::^
Identify Roles and Responsibilities
Create WARN Tabletop Exercise Materials for a Participant Handout
a. Establish Objectives
b. Identify Assumptions
c. Develop Exercise Rules
d. Review Scenarios and General Discussion Topics
Create Multimedia Presentation
Create Invitations, Sign-in Sheets, Badges and Complete Room
Logistics
Conduct the Exercise - Schedule of Events
Conduct Verbal Exercise Evaluation
Conduct Debrief Meeting with Facilitators/Evaluators/Exercise Design
Team
Analyze Evaluator Forms, Participant Evaluation Forms, Verbal
Exercise Evaluation, and Debrief Notes
Draft an After Action Report
Implement Corrective Actions
::::::::::::::::::::::i7?:":":7:::::7^r;;:;^:i;:::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::;-^!:;-"x:;:;::;7:;:::l:;i::;^:i;7;;1::::::::::::::::::
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
10:00 Welcome and Introduction of participants and the program
10:15 Overview of the day's events and the objectives
10:30 Participant Handout review
10:45 Scenario 1: Flood
11:15 Break
11:30 Facilitated Discussion
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Facilitated Discussion (cont.)
1:45 Debrief
Key Lessons
Next Steps
2:45 Evaluations
3:00 Conclusion
Facilitator Note I: A Facilitator and Exercise Design Team ma> adjust the agenda and
for the according to the to
objectives for the exercise. For the five hour
above, a WARN a full (8 am to 5 or two-day exercise to
allow for extra time to accomplish all objectives. Additionally, time may be included for
networking between participants.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
WARN Member utilities
Authorized Representatives
Legal Counsel
Non-Member utilities
Neighboring utilities
o Large and small systems
o Small, rural systems
Utility Management, and
Legal Counsel
WARN Associate Members
Water sector associations,
Local (City) government,
County (Parish) government,
State government, and
o Drinking water primacy agency
o Wastewater permitting authority
o Emergency management agencies
Federal agencies
Others
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator Note 3: The Facilitator and Exercise Design Team can modify the sample
Participant to the objectives earlier in the
process. The Participant be to for review in
preparation of the exercise or the}' may be printed and distributed at the start of the exercise. A
WARN may adopt and adapt the sample participant handouts. The Sample Participant
Handouts are typically bound tosether bv staple or bindnm.
10:00 Welcome and Introduction of participants and the program
10:15 Overview of the day's events and the objectives
10:30 Participant Handout review
10:45 Scenario 1: Flood
11:15 Break
11:30 Facilitated Discussion
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Facilitated Discussion (cont.)
1:45 Debrief
Key Lessons
Next Steps
2:45 Evaluations
3:00 Conclusion
A Tabletop Exercise is intended to stimulate discussion of various issues and actions regarding a
hypothetical situation. The focus of the exercise is on process and decision-making. The emphasis is on
identifying points of coordination, cooperating agency response, identifying problems, analysis of gaps in
plans and procedures, and identifying possible resolutions. The exercise environment is a structured, low-
stress program, and is controlled using simulated situations.
The exercise is facilitated based on a prescribed scenario. Players will have an opportunity to discuss the
issues relevant to them in response to a set of general questions. Rules for participation will be presented.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
'Developing" WARN Example Objectives
At the conclusion of this exercise, participants from a "developing" WARN should be able to:
Refine participants' roles and responsibilities in the WARN process, including specifying the
involvement of utilities, state drinking water primacy agency, state wastewater permitting
authority, state and local emergency management agencies, and EPA (as appropriate),
Refine components of the WARN agreement and administration to manage the WARN, as well
as modify each as needed,
Define components of a Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan, if not already initiated,
Refine the processes and procedures identified in the WARN agreement according to the different
phases of response, including:
o Notification and activation,
o Coordination,
o Mobilization,
o Operational support, and
o Demobilization,
Identify potential gaps in the agreement, and
Address expectations of growth, engagement, and membership of the WARN program, and
logistics to support that growth.
Assumptions and Artificialities
In any discussion-based exercise, a number of assumptions and artificialities may be necessary to
complete play in the time allotted. Assumptions help guide the level and type of participation you may
expect during "exercise play." The assumptions and artificialities include for this exercise are the
following:
The scenario is plausible, and events occur as presented,
There are no "hidden agendas" or trick questions, and
All participants receive information at the same time.
Rules of Engagement
To ensure an effective discussion, the exercise will follow the below Rules of Engagement:
There is no single solution. Varying viewpoints, even disagreements, are expected and dialogue
is encouraged within a safe, open, stress-free environment.
Respond based on your knowledge of existing plans and capabilities and insights derived from
past training and experience.
Your organization's positions or policies do not limit you. Make your best decision based on the
circumstances presented.
Decisions are not precedent-setting and may not always reflect your organization's position on a
given issue. This is an opportunity to discuss and present multiple solutions.
Focus on problem-solving, suggestions and recommended actions that could improve response
and preparedness efforts.
Assume there will be cooperation and support from other responders and agencies.
The basis for discussion consists of the scenario narratives, your experience, your understanding
of the WARN program, your intuition, and other utility resources included as part of this material.
All the information required to drive the discussion during the exercise is contained in the
exercise material.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Treat every scenario as if it might affect your area.
Evaluation
The evaluation process at the end of the exercise will include a combination of written and verbal
evaluations and an overall critique. Specifically, the evaluation process will include:
Written participant evaluations,
A verbal debriefing (referred to as a "Hot Wash"), and
Written evaluations by exercise evaluators.
During the discussion portion of the exercise, evaluators, whose function is to monitor the exercise and
track participant progress toward meeting the exercise objectives will document their observations on an
Exercise Evaluator Form. This information will be included in the After Action Report and/or
Improvement Plan.
Immediately following the exercise, the Facilitator will ask all participants to complete the written
Participant Evaluation Form. After 10 minutes has elapsed, the Facilitator will conduct a verbal
debriefing or "Hot Wash." The "Hot Wash" allows for participants to provide prompt feedback -
including their level of satisfaction with the exercise - and to identify any issues, concerns, or proposed
improvements to their WARN program. A pre-designated recorder will summarize the verbal evaluation,
comments, and recommendations, including an agreed-upon plan of action, schedule, and responsibility
for implementing the recommendations. Following the exercise, a pre-designated member of the Exercise
Design Team or support staff member will prepare an After Action Report and Improvement Plan and
submit it to the WARN Steering Committee.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Scenario 1: Flood Scenario
A succession of storms brought significant and widespread heavy rains. The heavy rains that occurred
were the result of a number of slow-moving storms and unseasonably warm temperatures. Over several
weeks, the heavy rains began saturating soils, filling local reservoirs, and clogging storm drains with
debris. The impact is felt over a (insert detail here) region.
A strong storm system then brings heavy precipitation, as well as high temperatures, humidity, and winds
producing major flooding.
The magnitude of the flooding varies, but it is a major event. Area officials report some creeks and rivers
at 8 to 12 feet above flood stage - the highest levels since the 1950s. The National Weather Service
extends a flood watch because major flooding is expected to continue for the next two to three days.
Sandbag barriers around vulnerable areas, such as the drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and
low lying pump stations, are constructed to prevent and reduce floodwater damage. Many people evacuate
the area. Figure 1 shows the extent of the flood area.
Effects on drinking water systems
Drinking water utilities are experiencing significant challenges:
75 percent of the area is without power,
Utilities request generators to continue operating,
Placement of generators is challenging due to the flooding,
Fuel shortages for generators are expected,
Uprooted, downed trees and violent washouts rupture numerous pipes,
System pressure is dropping,
Fire departments are concerned that the loss of water pressure jeopardizes their firefighting
capabilities,
Utilities do not have enough field crews to fix all of the problems,
River flooding and large amounts of debris clog water intakes,
A possible crude oil spill into a major drinking water source has been reported,
Utilities receive growing numbers of consumer complaints regarding cloudy, poor-tasting
drinking water,
Utility representatives admit that the amount of time required for completing damage assessment
and repair is unknown at this point, and
Government officials and the media are clamoring for information and situation updates.
Effects on wastewater systems
Wastewater utilities are also facing several challenges:
Washouts and downed trees rupture collection and transmission lines,
Flooding knocks out more than 50 percent of area pump stations, and many backup pumps fail,
Power loss shuts down many lift stations, causing sewage overflows and extensive combined
sewer discharges into the streets,
Raw sewage in the streets causes cross-contamination due to broken water mains, and
Local industry spokespersons ask utilities to speed up repairs to continue normal discharges of
industrial effluent and remain on-line.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
State Highway 4S
in3tpendent\\
Water
Treatment
Plant
Lower ,
Lake
Treatment
Facility
Rapid City
Nuclear
Power Plant /
Figure 1: Extent of Flood Area
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Questions
Facilitator Note 4: on the exercise objectives, the WARN Exercise Design Team
a list by reviewing
set below. The EDT not all of the to be
all of the exercise, WARN
can be as to
In reviewing the list, the WARN EDT determine whether the WARN is a "developing" or
'"established" WARN. The EDT be directly to
the "'Established"' WARN A that to the '"Established"'
are relevant to a "'Developing" WARN.
The can the a "Questions"'
for to their answers. The Facilitator not to
present all of die to the in The Facilitator can a
of the to the the verbally
the
The Facilitator should note that the "Questions" handout presented here in the Sample
Participant Handouts includes onh the sample discussion questions for a "'Developing"
WARN.- Sample questions for both a "Developing"-' WARN and an "Established" WARN are
provided in the Attachment 7.
Give each of die following questions a few moments of thought. Write down your answer and be
prepared to respond. When directed by the facilitator, participate in the discussion with the other group
members.
1. Notification and Activation:
How do you determine if in-house dedicated response resources (crews and equipment) are fully
committed or overcommitted?
What options are available to you to get outside help? Would your immediate neighbors be
similarly affected? Keep in mind that in this scenario and during many other events with
widespread impacts, your immediate neighbors will probably be unavailable to help you,
regardless of the type and quantity of resources that you need.
How will you activate your WARN in response to this situation and how will you notify other
WARN members that you need help?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Identify and define the processes that might need to be included in your WARN agreement:
If you are a Requesting Utility
When will you know you will need assistance?
How can you locate assistance?
How will you locate other sources of support?
How can you contact other sources of support?
How quickly can you search and locate unique equipment?
How will you handle the influx of offers to provide support? Who is best suited for
handling all of this coordination if you are managing your disaster?
If you are in the beginning of a disaster, how long do you anticipate for confirmation
from another utility that they have resources?
How would you handle injury, equipment failure, or resource loss when receiving aid?
If you are a Responding Utility
What do you do if your utility wants to offer assistance?
Who can you call?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
How do you determine how much assistance you can offer without straining the
resources of your own utility?
What tools are available to you to offer your help, capabilities, and availability?
How would you handle injury, equipment failure, or resource loss during the response?
2. Coordination:
With whom do you coordinate at the local, state, and federal levels at the beginning of a potential
disaster?
How will this assistance be managed within your organization?
How will you identify and define the processes that might need to be included in your own
WARN agreement or Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan that support the agreement?
What would go in the agreement versus the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan?
If you are a Requesting Utility
How are priorities established to determine where resources are sent first, second or third, etc.?
How can you leverage and share resources with your neighbors? For example, imagine that you
just borrowed five repair crews and equipment from the other end of the state, the crews have
completed their assigned work, and your neighbor will soon need the same type of help.
If you are a Responding Utility
What if you need your resources returned earlier than expected?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
What if you are unable to provide support?
Associations, and Local, State, and Federal Agencies
Do the water sector associations and state and federal agencies have any input, support or
influence on coordination issues given that this disaster is still local? Should your WARN
agreement address any issues particular to this?
How does your WARN facilitate the flow of information concerning the affected utilities and
damage assessments:
o From utility to utility,
o To local emergency management agencies,
o To primacy agencies and permitting authorities, and
o To the federal government?
3. Mobilization and Operations:
How will responding utility resources be managed in the field? Identify and define the processes
that might need to be included in your own WARN agreement.
Who will be responsible for managing support crews and equipment in the field, and how will
they be granted access to affected areas?
How will the addition of support crews and equipment be communicated to other functions within
your utility, such as Safety, Dispatch, etc.? Should this be addressed in your WARN agreement or
should this be a part of your Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan?
Will the supporting agency be able to immediately fit into your organizational structure? Who is
going to be in charge of those crews when they are out in the field? What are the lines of
communication and chains of command?
How will communications from the utility or dispatch out to the support crew occur? (dedicated
radio frequencies, interoperability concerns, etc.)
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Considering that you may lose your generator(s) to flooding, how can you prepare in advance to
identify potential sources and alert them of your needs?
Do the utility associations and state and federal agencies have any input, support or influence
regarding mobilization and operations given that this disaster is still local? Should your WARN
agreement address any issues particular to this?
4. Logistics:
How will logistical support to these resources be managed?
Who will handle logistics for the support?
5. Communications:
Who will establish and communicate procedures for support teams?
6. Finance:
How will expenses be handled and should this be addressed in your WARN agreement?
How will expenses be negotiated?
How will records be maintained?
7. Demobilization:
When will you know that the demands from the disaster have lessened to the point that you no
longer need support?
How will you know when you can return the resources?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Are there any special procedures to be followed (e.g., mandated rest periods) before resources can
be released? Should this be addressed in your WARN agreement?
8. Recovery:
How are you going to manage the demands for long-term recovery and should these needs be
addressed in your WARN agreement?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator 'Ntrte 5; The fbilo\vim* scenarios may be modified to help focus the discussion on
the previously noted. The the or Exercise
Team to the specific to the cities could
be affected by the events. events (cither in or history) can
the event to the Additionally, water or
can The or Exercise Design Team modify the
scenario to fit the specific WARN involved in the exercise. Following the introduction of a
scenario, the Facilitator can lead the facilitated discussion Iscc Step 5) using a set of discussion
questions (see Attachment 7 for sample discussion questions).
1:
A succession of storms brought significant and widespread heavy rains. The heavy rains that occurred
were the result of a number of slow-moving storms and unseasonably warm temperatures. Over several
weeks, the heavy rains began saturating soils, filling local reservoirs, and clogging storm drains with
debris. The impact is felt over a [see Facilitator Note 6] region.
A strong storm system then brings heavy precipitation as well as high temperatures, humidity, and winds
producing major flooding.
The magnitude of the flooding varies, but it is a major event. Area officials report some creeks and rivers
at 8 to 12 feet above flood stage - the highest levels since the 1950s. The National Weather Service
extends a flood watch because major flooding is expected to continue for the next two to three days.
Sandbag barriers around vulnerable areas, such as the drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and
low lying pump stations, are constructed to prevent and reduce floodwater damage. Many people evacuate
the area.
Drinking water utilities are experiencing significant challenges:
75 percent of the area is without power,
Utilities request generators to continue operating,
Placement of generators is challenging due to the flooding,
Fuel shortages for generators are expected,
Uprooted, downed trees and violent washouts rupture numerous pipes,
System pressure is dropping,
Fire departments are concerned that the loss of water pressure jeopardizes their firefighting
capabilities,
Utilities do not have enough field crews to fix all of the problems,
River flooding and large amounts of debris clog water intakes,
A possible crude oil spill into a major drinking water source has been reported,
Utilities receive a growing number of consumer complaints regarding cloudy, poor-tasting
drinking water,
Utility representatives admit that the amount of time required for completing damage assessment
and repair is unknown at this point, and
Government officials and the media are clamoring for information and situation updates."
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Wastewater utilities are also facing several challenges:
Washouts and downed trees rupture collection and transmission lines,
Flooding knocks out more than 50 percent of area pump stations, and many backup pumps fail,
Power loss shuts down many lift stations, causing sewage overflows and extensive combined
sewer discharges into the streets,
Raw sewage in the streets causes cross-contamination due to broken water mains, and
Local industry spokespersons ask utilities to speed up repairs to continue normal discharges of
industrial effluent and remain on-line.
Facilitator Note 6: The Facilitator can modify the size of die disaster area to include details
from your local area can insert (as appropriate) indicating the disaster area.
Including enhances the realism of the scenario. The following is an example of a
that shows the extent of local flooding.
Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/safewater 38
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
State Highway 4S
b*l I fiat E*i\x ^v X :
lfKiepencfent\N
Water
Treatment
Plant
-uwei \ -
Late
Rapid City
Nuclear /
Power Plant '
Figure 1: Sample Map Showing Extent of Flood Area
Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/safewater
39
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Over the last two weeks in August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
the National Weather Service (NWS) have been monitoring a storm system. NOAA and NWS predict that
the storm will develop into a Category 3 hurricane and will make landfall at (insert detail here) over
Labor Day weekend.
Facilitator Ntrte 7: The Facilitator' can adjust size of the disaster' area in order to include details
from the local area. The Facilitator can provide a name for the hurricane.
The hurricane gathers strength in the warm waters of the ocean and approaches the region as a Category 3
storm. This storm will have winds of 111-130 mph with a 9-12 ft. storm surge. This will cause flooding of
coastal areas and moderate-to-severe structural damage to poorly constructed homes. Flying debris and
falling trees can knock out power lines and there could be flooding 8 miles inland from the coast. The
storm is expected to make landfall on the evening of Labor Day.
Several member utilities of the WARN will be affected by the flooding of coastal areas and power loss.
These water and wastewater utilities are short-staffed due to the holiday weekend work schedule. Water
utilities begin calling in staff who have scheduled vacation for the holiday weekend. However, many staff
have left the area and will not be able to return before the storm makes landfall in the evening.
The Governor requests the voluntary evacuation of citizens within 15 miles of the coast and asks that
tourists visiting the region for the holiday weekend evacuate. Hotels and local businesses begin boarding
up their windows and placing sandbags around their properties.
As predicted, the hurricane hits the area in the early evening and because of the high rate of forward
speed, moves through the area in just 3 hours. It then begins to lose strength as it hits surrounding states
and travels offshore around midnight.
Shortly after landfall, the Governor declares a state of emergency and requests a federal declaration. Four
hours later, the President issues a disaster declaration. The hurricane affects the surrounding areas, (insert
detail here).
There is significant damage from the storm surge and wind, including flooding, downed power lines, and
scattering of debris. Debris blocks roads and inhibits emergency work and delivery of supplies.
Emergency responders focus on rescuing survivors from flooded areas and collapsed housing. Many of
the hospitals are flooded with water and overwhelmed by injured survivors. There is no electricity, and
the power companies expect electricity to be out for at least 72 hours.
Drinking water utilities face significant challenges:
A shortage of personnel due to displaced staff and employees on holiday,
Damaged infrastructure,
Cross contamination of the water supply (compromising 60 percent of the drinking water), and
Electrical outages.
Utilities contact the state drinking water primacy agency to help find qualified professionals to aid in the
assessment of water damage and begin cleanup and restoration of the water supply. A wastewater
treatment plant's backup generators worked for 10 hours, but then failed. A service crew working on the
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
generator determines that the rotor has seized and needs replacement. They are currently contacting their
supplier but, due to the blocked roads, it may take several days for the parts to arrive. In the meantime,
the equalization tanks are starting to fill and the plant may need to divert and discharge the untreated
sewage into the river.
The police report that water is pouring out of a pipe underneath a major roadway near the local Medical
Center. The Medical Center is at capacity for patients and is losing water pressure at a rapid rate. The
storm surge washes many contaminants into the source water. Virtually all of City 's (insert detail
here) drinking water comes from this single source. The water treatment plant's chlorine is running low
and the next shipment was supposed to arrive the day after Labor Day. However, due to the storm,
suppliers are unable to deliver the chemicals."
Facilitator Note 8. The Facilitator can insert details about damage to specific treatment plants
or other water and wastewater infrastructure facilities.
Facilitator Note 9: The Facilitator can insert maps (as appropriate) indicating the extent of the
disaster area. Including maps enhances the realism of the scenario. The map below (Figure 2)
is an example showing the extent of hurricane wind and storm surge damage to area hospitals.
Final Windfield
9-174)4 11:OOEST
Impaired Fu netionility (Day.)
H «»
3-7
G3
Census Tract
I I Courty Boundiiy
F I SUM Soundwy
Storm Surg« (Fwt)
B 0.0 -1.0
^1.1 -2J3
I 12.1 -3.0
I I 3.1 - 4.0
I 1 4.1 - 5J3
I I 5.1 - BJ)
i | fc1 - 7J5
B 7.1 - SSI
j.i
A
0 5 10 aa Miles
I I I I I
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency. HAZUS-MH Application: Hurricane Winds, Estimated
Loss of Functionality of Hospitals in Hurricane Ivan.
Figure 2: Sample Map Showing Extent of Storm Surge Damage to Local Hospitals
Office of Water (4608
vwvw.epa.gov/safewater
41
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
An earthquake brings the (insert detail here) area to a shaking stop. Local seismologists measure the
earthquake at (insert detail here) on the Richter scale for a duration of 30 seconds. Within the first hour
after the initial earthquake, two sizeable aftershocks measuring (insert detail here) and (insert detail here)
take place. Over the next 24-48 hours, more aftershocks are expected to continue, but with lessening
severity. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter along the Fault Zone, near
(or in) the City of .
Facilitator Note 10: The Facilitator can adjust the size of the disaster area HI order to include
from the The the for the
local major fault zone. When adjusting the Richter scale reading for local conditions, the
Facilitator may consider including a measurement appropriate to focus on intrastate activation.
Emergency sirens can be heard all over the area. The media begins streaming breaking news broadcasts
across radio, TV, and the Internet nationwide. Initial reports indicate that the earthquake has done serious
damage to the area and the fear is that there will be numerous human casualties.
There is severe structural damage along portions of the interstates and highways. Interstates and
highways, which are major transportation routes in and out of the area, sustain major damage, including
collapsed overpasses (add details of familiar local highways and roadway impacts). Emergency vehicles
coming from within or outside the area will have to use alternate routes. Many power and phone lines are
down, so 60 percent of the area is without electricity and phone service, including cell coverage. There
are numerous gas leaks and some have caused explosions and fires at locations across the area.
City residents gather at churches, schools, and parking lots seeking food and shelter for the evening.
They are waiting for instruction on where to go and how to seek help. There are reports of looting and
police are struggling to keep people out of stores with broken windows and doors. People are concerned
about drinking tap water and there are complaints about discoloration and floating particles. Residents are
exhausted, stressed, and worried about where they will find the information they need to ensure their
safety.
The Governor declares a State emergency, and contacts Washington, DC to request a Presidential Disaster
Declaration, including Stafford Act resources. The Governor calls up National Guard resources to provide
emergency helicopters for the transport of emergency supplies and to take aerial film footage of the
disaster area.
Drinking water utilities experience significant challenges:
At least 20 drinking water and wastewater utilities have been impacted by the earthquake.
Many utilities have broken mains causing localized flooding, especially in basements and the
lower levels of structures.
Broken mains also are leading to reduced pressure in the system, limiting fire-fighting
capabilities.
Most utilities had full storage tanks with finished water, but are losing water quickly due to tank
failures and main breaks. Water pressure will be low in serviceable areas and many areas will be
without normal drinking water service.
Communications and transportation is limited, causing problems for utility personnel responding
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
to the event.
A number of utilities have been able to access the WARN Web site or directly contact WARN
members. Affected utilities that are able to contact unaffected WARN members are requesting
every available resource offered.
Raw sewage is flowing in many streets and creates the potential for cross contamination due to
broken water mains.
Facilitator Note 11. The Facilitator can insert details about damage to specific treatment plants
or other water and wastewater infrastructure facilities.
Facilitator Note 12. The Facilitator can insert maps (as appropriate) indicating the disaster
area. Including maps enhances the realism of the scenario. The map below (Figure 3) is an
example showing the potential extent of earthquake damage.
Liquefaction
Potential
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency. HAZUS-MH Application: Earthquake, Distribution of
Utility Lifelines in Relation to Earthquake Hazard in Portland, Oregon.
Figure 3: Sample Map Showing Extent of Earthquake Damage to Utilities due to
Liquefaction Potential
Office of Water (460.
-R-08-005 September 2008 vwvw.epa.gov/safewater
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
7:
Facilitator Note 13: The following list of questions is neither comprehensive
Rather present all of the questions
exercise, WARN can be as to
WARN or the list of The
are to focus, can fit
several
on the objectives, the WARN Exercise Team (EOT) can
select are for WARN or the to the
their WARN has The are to the
The EOT develop a list of discussion
by relevant set of
The EOT Facilitator should not all of the to be
As the can fit several categories, die Facilitator can to the
across the as needed.
In reviewing the list, the EDT the WARN is a
"developing" or "established" WARN. The EDT Facilitator should be
directly to the "Established" WARN A Facilitator to the
"Established" WARN are relevant to a
"Developing" WARN.
The Facilitator can compile the selected a '"Questions"
for to answers. The Facilitator not all
of the to be to the in advance. The Facilitator can
a of the to the in the
verbally
The are on the following
« A WARN
« Exercise not be WARN members,
* A Steering Committee is being formed, and
* An agreement is under development or has been recently signed by utilities.
1. Notification and Activation: (Notification refers to important information distributed to relevant
personnel regarding an actual or potential hazard and the response status of the organization.
Activation refers to a notification category that provides urgent information about an unusual
occurrence or threat of occurrence, and orders or recommends that the notified entity activate its
emergency response [usually via its emergency operations plan]. It usually includes actionable
information directing the notified entity on initial actions for mobilization, deployment, and/or
response.)
How do you determine if in-house dedicated response resources (crews and equipment) are fully
committed or overcommitted? [see Facilitator Note 14]
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
What options are available to you to get outside help? [see Facilitator Note 15] Would your
immediate neighbors be similarly affected? Keep in mind that in this scenario and other events
with widespread impacts, your immediate neighbors may be unavailable to help you, regardless
of the type and quantity of resources that you need.
How will you activate your WARN in response to this situation and how will you notify other
WARN members that you need help?
How will you notify WARN members that the WARN has been activated?
Identify and define the processes that might need to be included in your WARN agreement:
If you are a Requesting Utility
When will you know you will need assistance?
How can you locate assistance?
How will you contact sources of assistance?
How can you locate other sources of support?
How quickly can you search for and locate unique equipment?
How will you handle an influx of offers to provide support? [see Facilitator Note 16] Who is best
suited for handling all of this coordination if you are managing your disaster?
If you are in the beginning of a disaster, how long will it take to receive confirmation from
another utility that they have resources?
How would you handle injury, equipment failure, or resource loss when receiving aid?
If you are a Responding Utility
What if your utility wants to offer assistance ?
Who can you call?
How do you determine how much assistance you can offer without straining the resources of your
own utility?
What tools are available to you to offer your help, capabilities, and availability?
How would you handle injury, equipment failure, or resource loss during the response?
Facilitator Note 14: For most utilities (drinking water and \\asic\\atcr). die extent of system
in the quickly overwhelm Allowing the
to when to meet can
the
Facilitator Note 15: In this circumstance, the primary options include WARN, the local
Emergency Operations Center (HOC). A of these
the to the normal with
the from local, to to federally allows for
of expectations. This drive the to that WARN is the
option.
Note 16: Discuss the with
resources, as well as offers of In to self are at
for
o Unaffected Utilities,
o WARN Committee, and
o State drinking water primacy agency or state \vaste\vater permitting authority.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
2. Coordination: (Coordination refers to advancing systematically through an analysis and exchange
of information among personnel who have or may have a need to know certain information to carry
out specific incident management responsibilities.)
With whom do you coordinate at the local, state, and federal levels at the beginning of a potential
disaster?
How will this assistance be managed within your organization?
How will you identify and define the processes that might need to be included in your own
WARN agreement or Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan that supports the agreement?
What would go in the agreement versus the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan?
If you are a Requesting Utility
How are priorities established to determine where resources are sent first, second or third, etc.?
How can you leverage and share resources with your neighbors? For example, imagine that you
just borrowed five repair crews and equipment from the other end of the state, the crews have
completed their assigned work, and your neighbor will soon need the same type of help.
If you are a Responding Utility
What if you need your resources returned earlier than you expected; how do you get them back?
[see Facilitator Note 17]
What if you are unable to provide support?
Associations, and Local, State, and Federal Agencies
Do the utility associations and state and federal agencies have any input, support or influence on
coordination issues given that this disaster is still local? Should your WARN agreement address
any issues particular to this?
How does your WARN facilitate the flow of information concerning the affected utilities and
damage assessments:
o From utility to utility,
o To local emergency management agencies,
o To state agencies, and
o To the federal government?
How do you evaluate the need to notify federal resources; how do you notify them; what are your
expectations of federal resources?
3. Mobilization and Operations: ("Mobilization " refers to the process and procedures used by all
organizations federal, state, local, and tribal for activating, assembling, and transporting all
resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident. "Operations " refers to all
tactical incident operations.)
How will responding utility resources be managed in the field? Identify and define the processes
that might need to be included in your own WARN agreement.
Who will be responsible for managing support crews and equipment in the field, and how will
they be granted access to affected areas?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
How will the addition of support crews and equipment be communicated to other functions within
your utility, such as Safety, Dispatch, etc.? Should this be addressed in your WARN agreement or
should it be a part of your Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan?
Will the supporting agency be able to immediately fit into your organizational structure? Who is
going to be in charge of those crews when they are out in the field? What are the lines of
communication and chains of command?
How will communications from the utility or dispatch out to the support crew occur? (e.g.,
dedicated radio frequencies, interoperability concerns, etc.)
Considering that you may lose your electric generator to flooding, how can you prepare in
advance to identify potential sources of generators and alert utilities of your needs?
Do the utility associations and state and federal agencies have any input, support, or influence
regarding mobilization and operations given that this disaster is still local? Should your WARN
agreement address any issues particular to this?
4. Logistics: (Logistics refers to providing resources, facilities, services and material support to support
incident management. Activities include establishing lodging and making travel arrangements, etc.)
How will logistical support to these resources be managed?
Who will handle logistics for the support?
5. Communications: (Communications refers only to the method(s) of conveying information; it is a
narrow, but vital component of Information Management. Communication procedures include
briefings to teams and crews, explanations of safety procedures, etc.)
Who will establish communication procedures for support teams?
6. Finance: (Finance refers to the financial, administrative, and legal/regulatory issues for the incident.
Expenses include overtime, travel, equipment, repairs, injuries, insurance, per diem, etc.)
How will expenses be handled and should this be addressed in your WARN agreement?
How will expenses be negotiated?
How will records be maintained?
7. Demobilization: (Demobilization refers to the phase that begins with the transition of Management,
Operations, and Support functions and elements from the incident activities back to normal
operations or to their baseline standby state, as their operational objectives are attained.)
When will you know that the demands from the disaster have lessened to the point that you no
longer need support?
How will you know when you can return the resources?
Are there any special procedures to be followed (e.g., mandated rest periods) before resources can
be released? Should this be addressed in your WARN agreement?
8. Recovery: (Recovery refers to the development, coordination, and execution of service- and site-
restoration plans; additional measures for restoration; evaluation of the incident to identify lessons
learned; post-incident reporting; and development of initiatives to mitigate the effects of future
incidents.)
How are you going to manage the demands for long-term recovery and should these needs be
addressed in your WARN agreement?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator Note IS: The following list of questions is neither comprehensive noj^jj^ejidedjo^
all of the
exercise, WARN can be as needed to
WARN or the list of The
are divided seven categories. Due to focus, can fit
simultaneously.
on the exercise objectives, the WARN Exercise Team can select
are for WARN or modify the to the
WARN has faced. The are to exercise the
plan. The EDT develop a list of discussion
by set of
The EDT not all of the to be included.
As the can fit several categories, die Facilitator can to the
the as
As noted earlier, the EDT Facilitator planning an exercise for a new WARN should not
to the '"Established" WARN they
are relevant to a "'Developing" WARN.
The Facilitator can the a '"Questions"
for to (See 5). The
not all of the to be to the in
The Facilitator can a of the to the in
the verbally throughout the
These are on the following
The WARN is
All include members by to the agreement
who in the WARN without the agreement,
* A Committee is formed, an is developed,
* Procedures how the arc
whether or not written. These as the
content for the WARN's Aid/Assistance Operational Plan.
1. Notification and Activation: (Notification refers to information distributed to relevant personnel
regarding an actual or potential hazard impact and the response status of the organization.
Activation refers to a notification category that provides urgent information about an unusual
occurrence or threat of occurrence, and orders or recommends that the notified entity activate its
emergency response [usually via its emergency operations plan]. It usually includes actionable
information directing the notified entity on initial actions for mobilization, deployment, and/or
response.)
How will your WARN activate in response to diis situation?
How will your WARN notify other members they need help?
How will your WARN notify members that the WARN has been activated?
What are the protocols for requesting assistance through your WARN?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
What are the protocols for contacting your WARN representatives?
How does your WARN quickly search and locate unique equipment?
What tools can your WARN adopt to help locate, request, and track assistance? [see Facilitator
Note 19]
What redundancy measures are in place in the event that your tools become overwhelmed or
inoperable? (Redundancy refers to the capacity to ensure continuity of service through backup
equipment when there is a malfunction in primary service.)
How does your WARN manage offers for support if your local authorities already have a plan in
place?
What potential conflicts may arise between your state's mutual aid and assistance agreement and
your WARN agreement?
Facilitator Note 19: WARN offers Web-based tools, protocols, linkages, and communication
systems. Allow the group to discuss and ftuther define the types of tools they may need.
2. Coordination: (Coordination refers to advancing systematically an analysis and exchange of
information among personnel who have or may have a need to know certain information to carry out
specific incident management responsibilities.)
With whom does your WARN coordinate at the local, state, and federal levels at the earliest
stages of a potential disaster?
What protocols are in place to coordinate across the various levels of government and industry?
How does your WARN facilitate prioritization of resources? How does it:
o Determine the order in which members will receive support (via priorities, e.g., utility A
first, utility B second, etc.)?
o Determine what level of support each member will receive?
o Help requesting utilities transition assigned work between responding utilities when one
of them has to leave prematurely?
How does your WARN coordinate with other partners - such as utility associations, state
drinking water primacy agency, wastewater permitting authority, and federal agencies - that can
offer additional resources?
How does your WARN evaluate the need to notify federal resources; how do you notify them;
what are your expectations of federal resources?
3. Mobilization and Operations: ("Mobilization " refers to the process and procedures used by all
organizations -federal, state, local, and tribal -for activating, assembling, and transporting all
resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident. "Operations " refers to all
tactical incident operations.)
How will the WARN "system" manage resource information? [see Facilitator Note 20]
How does your WARN help the responding utilities get to where they need to be?
Who ensures that support crews and equipment in the field are adequately supported?
How does your WARN help utilities facilitate access to the affected area?
How does your WARN facilitate the integration of the responding utility resources into the
operational structure of the requesting utility?
How does your WARN manage resources with the help of other partners that can offer additional
resources, such as utility associations, state drinking water primacy agency, wastewater
permitting authority, and federal agencies?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
How does your WARN manage indemnification?
4. Logistics: (Logistics refers to providing resources, facilities, services and material support to support
incident management.)
How will your WARN support the logistical (i.e., procurement, maintenance, distribution, and
replacement of personnel and equipment) needs of members?
How does your WARN support the advance identification of potential sources of replacement
equipment?
5. Communication: (Communications refers only to the method(s) of conveying information; it is a
narrow, but vital component of Information Management)
How does your WARN facilitate communications between responding utilities within the
requesting utilities' operations?
What protocols for communication does your WARN have in place?
How does your WARN manage crisis communication with the public and media?
How does your WARN facilitate the flow of information concerning the affected utilities and
damage assessments:
o From utility to utility,
o To local emergency management agencies,
o To state drinking water primacy agencies,
o To state wastewater permitting authority, and
o To federal government?
6. Finance: (Finance refers to the financial, administrative, and legal/regulatory issues for the
incident.)
How will your WARN help utilities negotiate expenses?
How will your WARN help utilities maintain records?
How will your WARN help utilities complete appropriate documentation for reimbursement?
What is the role of WARN in the reimbursement process?
7. Demobilization: (Demobilization refers to the phase that begins with the transition of Management,
Operations, and Support functions and elements from the incident activities back to normal
operations or to their baseline standby state as their operational objectives are attained.)
How will your WARN facilitate the demobilization of resources?
How does your WARN help utilities identify and communicate any special procedures to be
followed?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator Note 21: Special procedures could include procedures for handling sensitive
information such as facility maps, schematics, continuity plans, vulnerability assessment
information, and other sensitive or proprietary data.
Recovery: (Recovery refers to the development, coordination, and execution of service- and site-
restoration plans; additional measures for restoration; evaluation of the incident to identify lessons
learned; post-incident reporting; and development of initiatives to mitigate the effects of future
incidents.)
How will your WARN help manage the demands for long-term recovery?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator Note 22: The Facilitator can modify the sample presentation file contained in a
PowerPoint to the by the WARN
Exercise Team.
Specifically, the Facilitator can modify the following in the PowerPoint in
for the exercise:
* Exercise Objectives - Facilitator can replace bullets with the exercise
objectives.
« - Facilitator can from the scenario. As
the document, the can modify' to fit local
events, the WARN involved in the exercise.
Facilitated Discussion Facilitator can replace bullets \\ith the selected discussion
questions to be presented in advance to the participants.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Evaluator Role
Evaluators monitor the actions and decisions of the participants to determine and observe the extent to
which the exercise objectives have been met.
Evaluator Actions
Review objectives of the exercise.
Identify operational procedures to assess, respond to, and recover from a simulated emergency
event.
Monitor play of the exercise with objectives in mind.
Make notes of ideas and player actions on a separate sheet of paper.
Record suggestions for updates to plans and procedures based on players' responses.
Complete the Evaluator Form.
Identify one leader to present constructive comments at the end of the exercise.
Limitations
Do not coach players. Observe.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Sample Exercise Evaluator Form
Please print your responses.
Evaluator: Agency:
Contact Number: e-mail:
Objective 1: Refine participants' roles and responsibilities in the WARN process, including specifying the
involvement of utilities, state drinking water and wastewater agencies, state and local emergency
management agencies, and EPA (as appropriate).
1. Evaluation Question 1: Refine utilities' roles and responsibilities.
Strongly Disagree
1
Comment:
2
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
4 5
Enter Score
2. Evaluation Question 2: Refine state drinking water and wastewater agencies' roles and responsibilities.
Strongly Disagree
1
Comment:
2
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
4 5
Enter Score
3. Evaluation Question 3: Refine local and state emergency management agencies' roles and responsibilities.
Strongly Disagree
1
Comment:
2
Agree Strongly Agree
345
Enter Score
4. Additional comments related to discussion observed regarding Objective 1.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Please print your responses.
Evaluator:
Contact Number:
Sample Exercise Evaluator Form
Agency:
e-mail:
Objective 2: Define components of a Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational Plan.
1. Evaluation Question 1: Define how WARN activation will occur.
Strongly Disagree Agree
1 234
Comment:
Strongly Agree
Enter Score
2. Evaluation Question 2: Define how WARN member mobilization will occur.
Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
1234 5
Comment:
Enter Score
3. Evaluation Question 3: Define how WARN coordination will occur.
Strongly Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
4. Additional comments related to discussion observed regarding Objective 2.
Enter Score
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Sample Exercise Evaluator Form
Please print your responses.
Evaluator: Agency:
Contact Number: e-mail:
Objective 3: Address expectations of the WARN program.
1. Evaluation Question 1: Refine expectations of growth of the WARN program.
Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
1234 5
Comment:
Enter Score
2. Evaluation Question 2: Refine expectations of engagement of WARN members, especially non-emergency
responsibilities.
Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
1234 5
Enter Score
Comment:
3. Evaluation Question 3: Refine expectations of logistics to support growth of the WARN program, including
WARN communication tools.
Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
1234 5
Comment:
Enter Score
4. Additional comments related to discussion observed regarding Objective 3.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Facilitator Note 24: The Facilitator can modify the Participant Evaluation Form (presented on
the page) to the objectives in the The Participant
Evaluation is normally printed the other
out at the of the or it be included as of the
at the of the exercise. The is to
be a to the the verbal '"Hot Wash" as of the
of the exercise to use in the After Action Report.
The opportunity for the participant to enter a ""score"" allows for establishing metrics for this
and future exercises.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Sample Participant Evaluation Form
1. The exercise was structured and organized well.
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
2. The exercise provided players with an opportunity to refine WARN member roles and
responsibilities, including the involvement of utilities, state drinking water primacy agency, state
wastewater permitting authority, state and local emergency management agencies, and EPA (as
appropriate).
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
3. The exercise allowed an opportunity to refine components of the state WARN agreement, the Mutual
Aid/Assistance Operational Plan, and the administration to manage the WARN, as well as modify
each as needed.
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
4. The exercise allowed an opportunity to refine the processes and procedures for using the WARN
program during different phases of response.
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
5. The exercise provided an opportunity to identify potential gaps in the Mutual Aid/Assistance Operational
Plan and address expectations of growth, engagement, and membership of the WARN program, and
logistics to support the growth.
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
6. Participation in the exercise was a valuable use of my time.
Strongly
Disagree
1
Comment:
Agree
3
Strongly Agree
5
Enter Score
7. Please provide additional comments not addressed. For example, how could the exercise process or
preparations be improved?
Comment:
Please provide recommended corrective actions. What response capabilities are needed or should be
implemented? What actions should be taken to respond more effectively? What types of trainings do
your personnel need to respond more effectively?
Comment:
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Note 25: The can modify die Debrief Comment Capture Form to
the objectives in the A post-
verbal comments recommendations, the of
for the
Name or Number of Exercise:
Date of Exercise:
Name of Recorder:
Comments from Debriefing:
Non-Emergency Responsibilities
Concept of Emergency Operations
WARN Activation
Emergencies with Warnings
Requesting Utility Authorized Representative
Notification
Mutual Aid Coordinator
Staging Area Manager
Responding Utility Authorized Representative
WARN Member Mobilization
Pre-Deployment Activities
Deployment of Responding Utility
Daily Activity Briefing
Demobilization
Responding Utility Demobilization Activities
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
Coordinate Reimbursement Information
WARN Coordination
Response Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
Team Member Response
Manage Damage Assessment Data
Receive, Track and Monitor Requests
Coordinate Resource Orders
Coordinate Staging Area Information
WARN Documentation
Damage Assessment
Track Expenses
WARN Communications Tools
After Action Report and Improvement Plan
Training, Exercises and Updates
Miscellaneous (e.g., outstanding legal issues that need to be addressed by legal counsel)
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
The following questions are examples of what may be asked as part of a hot wash and/or debrief. (The
list is not all-inclusive.) In summary, ask what went well, what did not go well, what needs to be
improved, or other lessons learned.
Notification
o What was the number and frequency of notifications?
o Did the number and frequency provide an accurate operational understanding of the
emergency?
Activation
o How did activation occur for utilities, WARN, and other stakeholders?
o How quickly did "full" activation occur between stakeholders that responded?
o How can the activation process be improved or streamlined?
o Were the different departments (or jurisdictions and agencies) able to activate their plans
and processes during this incident?
Coordination
o Were the Members well-coordinated and matched to assignments according to skill?
o What can be done in the future to maximize available resources?
o What went well? Were the goals met?
o What went wrong and what was done to correct it?
o What can be improved?
o Was equipment interoperable?
o Were the resources that were requested the same as the ones that were delivered?
o Were databases used and are they interoperable across different workgroups and
jurisdictions?
Mobilization
o Was the information gathered from notifications sufficient to accurately organize and
prepare for mobilization?
o How quickly did "full" mobilization occur between stakeholders that responded?
Operational Support
o What actually occurred at all levels of participation (timeline)?
o What were the pre-event plans and processes for preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation?
o Did the plans and processes meet the need of jurisdictions and agencies responding to this
event?
o How accurately were resource requests anticipated and fulfilled?
o How can procedures for pre-staging resources, making and fulfilling resource requests,
tracking and reporting on resource status, and recovering resources be improved?
o How accurately were personnel requests anticipated and fulfilled?
o How can procedures for making and fulfilling resource requests be improved?
o What were some success stories?
o What areas need improvement to facilitate response in the future?
Demobilization
o Was a demobilization plan in place before the event? Was it followed?
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
o What worked well?
o What did not work well and were steps taken to address the situation?
o What can be improved for the future and what options are available?
Miscellaneous
o Are there legal issues that need to be addressed by legal counsel?
o Identify other lessons learned not captured above.
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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN): Tabletop Exercise Facilitator Guide
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