Article Review

Choose an article from the Suggested Reading List, or locate another peer-reviewed article on exercises. Create a title page, and write a two-page essay article review (500 words). In the critical analysis, include the following:

- Introduction: Introduce the subject of the article.

- Discussion: Identify and describe the concepts or points in the article.

- Results/Conclusion: Discuss the outcome or conclusion of the article.

- Personal analysis: Describe how the information in the article builds or applies to the material in the textbook about exercises.

This unit focuses on training exercises and discusses the following:

- the benefits of exercises,

- risk-based scenarios,

- computer-based exercises,

- real-time exercises,

- training and exercise effectiveness,

- exercise outcomes, and

- the annual cycle to effective preparedness. In a local and regional exercise, emergency management, local government, fire services, law enforcement, public works, public health, hospitals, National Guard, and non-governmental organizations can test their individual emergency response plans. Exercises can also test the capabilities of dispatch centers and the emergency operations center. Weaknesses, gaps, and redundancy in response efforts are identified and plans are improved to enhance response capabilities. Response agencies also test their equipment and become familiar with resources from other agencies.

Exercises further allow response agencies the opportunity to communicate and interact with each other, and establish interpersonal relationships that break-down turf barriers. Participants learn the names, roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of personnel in other response agencies. Exercises also provide the opportunity for agencies to interact within the Incident Command System (ICS). This interagency collaboration allows the testing of communications, capabilities, and cooperation.

First responders have the opportunity to rehearse their roles and test their capabilities within the Incident Command System. Deficits in training are identified that require additional efforts. Participants also test their physical and mental capabilities to work individually and within a group setting with other response agencies (Afshari, Cervone, Seaton, Taylor, & Rudy, 2008). Exercise scenarios are based on past threats and potential future threats.

They provide the opportunity for agencies and organizations to train and test their response capabilities as an individual organization or with UNIT V STUDY GUIDE Developing an Emergency Operations Plan MSE 5301, Interagency Disaster Management 2 multiple response units from surrounding areas. The full benefit of an exercise is realized when all participants are actively involved in the exercise. Each region of the country experiences different types of natural disasters. For example, hurricanes and tornadoes are harmful to populations and cause extensive damage to property.

The National Weather Service is able to predict the oncoming of hurricanes that allows time for first response agencies to activate emergency preparedness plans. In contrast, tornado warnings can be issued to the population, although the path of touch-down and time element is unknown. Emergency response plans also include annexes with specific responses to man-made disasters within the community like a nuclear energy plant, factories, or a chemical plant. Exercises with scenarios based on an incident at an identified plant allow first responders to train with other responders and test their equipment. Although a fore warning of an imminent risk is not always provided, emergency responders can prepare and train for the event.

Likewise, the potential of a terrorist event is unknown, but an emergency response plan, standard operation procedures, training, and exercises can help first responders to respond to the event. Exercises further allow first response organizations to train together and test their equipment, using the Incident Command System when a mutual aid agreement is activated for a large disaster. Moreover, communication between agencies, dispatch centers, and emergency operations centers is tested.

Suggested Reading

Beedasy, J., & Ramloll, R. (2010). Lessons learned from a pandemic influenza triage exercise in a 3D interactive multiuser virtual learning environment-Play2Train. Journal of Emergency Management, 8(4), 53-61.