Exercise Alternatives for Training Emergency Management Command Center Staffs

Book excerpt: Emergency management provides the coordination needed to develop an effective community response to disasters. This critical public safety function is typically performed in mobile command posts in the field and in the jurisdiction's emergency operations center. Preparing individuals who will work in these facilities to perform their tasks under emergency conditions requires effective and realistic exercise training. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a five model exercise design for progressive training of emergency management staffs. This study examines the history and theoretical basis for exercises. From this background, it suggests alternatives to these five models to provide greater flexibility in delivery, options for specialized training in decision making, exercises that will support all phases of emergency management, and options for increased realism. Among the alternatives suggested are Tactical Decision Games, What-If Exercises, Postal Exercises, and a variety of simulation tools. The book is accompanied by a detailed appendix that provides specific instructions for each exercise type.