Step 2: Exercise Scope

 

 

What is the exercise scope?

Answer: The scope identifies the purpose of the drill/exercise, participating organizations, and the level of participation for each organization.

This information is used to identify and lay out the functions and tasks each organization should accomplish. It also identifies those organizations or functions that must be simulated based on levels of participation.

For further information on developing the exercise scope refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is the exercise purpose?

Answer: The exercise purpose is a statement (paragraph) that describes:

  • why the exercise is being conducted

  • what will happen during the exercise

  • when and where the exercise will take place

Note: Part of the why the exercise is being conducted includes any local, state, and/or federal regulations that require the exercise to be conducted.

See no-notice exercise

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Who are exercise participants?

Answer: Exercise participants are the individuals, often referred to as players, who typically comprise the majority of people involved in the exercise. It is their responsibility to take whatever actions are necessary to mitigate the simulated emergency and thus demonstrate the ability to ensure the safety of facility personnel, the public, and the environment in accordance with established emergency plans.

For further information on developing the exercise Scope refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is the exercise title or name?

Answer: The exercise title or name is the phrase or title given to the Exercise Plan and all of its components. Examples of an exercise title would be the “Hamilton County Radiological Materials (HAMRAM) Transportation Joint Exercise” or “SRS Annual (In-Tank Precipitation) Exercise.”

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is the exercise location?

Answer: The exercise location is the physical location where the exercise will be conducted. Keep the location name as general as possible. For example, use "Oxide Conversion Facility" or "Sandia National Laboratories" instead of an actual building number.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is the exercise date?

Answer: The exercise date is the date the exercise will be conducted. This date becomes part of the exercise purpose and scope.Enter the date in a mm/dd/yy format.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is a no-notice exercise?

Answer: A no-notice exercise is an exercise that is conducted without the participants' prior knowledge of when the exercise will occur. The participants know that there will be an exercise and have agreed to participate, but do not know when it will occur.

The fact that an exercise is going to be a no-notice exercise is part of the exercise purpose and scope, but no date is indicated as to when the exercise will be conducted.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What does each of the different types of exercises mean?

Answer: The definitions of the different types of exercises follow:

  • Full-Scale Exercise (FSE)

    The FSE is the most complex of the operations-based exercises. FSEs are exercises that test many aspects of an integrated emergency response. An FSE focuses on implementing, analyzing, and evaluating plans, policies, and procedures. Events are projected through a scripted exercise scenario with built-in flexibility to allow updates to drive activity. A FSE is conducted in a real-time, stressful environment that closely mirrors a real event. First responders and resources are mobilized and deployed to the scene where they conduct their actions, as nearly as possible, as if a real incident had occurred.

    The FSE simulates the reality of operations in multiple functional areas by presenting complex and realistic problems requiring critical thinking, rapid problem solving, and effective responses by trained personnel in a highly stressful environment. Other entities that are not involved in the exercise, but would be involved in an actual event, should be instructed not to respond. Attributes of an FSE include:

    • Assessing organizational and individual performance

    • Demonstrating interagency cooperation

    • Allocating resources and personnel

    • Assessing equipment capabilities

    • Activating personnel and equipment

    • Assessing inter-agency cooperation

    • Exercising public information systems

    • Testing communications systems and procedures

    • Analyzing memorandums of understanding (MOUs), SOPs, plans, policies, and procedures

  • Functional Exercise (FE)

    The FE is designed to test and evaluate individual capabilities, multiple functions or activities within a function, or interdependent groups of functions. The FE is generally focused on exercising the plans, policies, procedures, and staff of the direction and control nodes of Incident Command (IC) and Unified Command (UC). Generally, events are projected through an exercise scenario with event updates that drive activity at the management level. Movement of personnel and equipment is simulated.

    The objective of the FE is to execute specific plans and procedures and apply established policies, plans, and procedures under crisis conditions, within or by particular function teams. An FE simulates the reality of operations in a functional area by presenting complex and realistic problems that require rapid and effective responses by trained personnel in a highly stressful environment. Attributes of an FE include:

    • Evaluating functions

    • Evaluating Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), Headquarters, and staff

    • Reinforcing established policies and procedures

    • Measuring resource adequacy

    • Examining facility or site internal relationships

  • Drill

    A drill is a coordinated, supervised activity usually employed to test a single specific operation or function, according to the DHS exercise program HSEEP. Drills are also commonly used to provide training on new equipment, develop or test new policies or procedures, or practice and maintain current skills. Attributes of a drill include:

    • A narrow focus, measured against established standards

    • Realistic environment

    • Performance in isolation

    • Instant feedback

    • Opportunity to stop, correct/educate, and restart

  • Tabletop Exercise (TTX)

    TTXs generally involve senior staff, elected or appointed officials, or other key personnel in an informal setting in which situations are discussed that arise during simulated scenarios. The TTX can be used to assess response plans, policies, and procedures, or types of systems needed to mitigate and respond to the specific emergency event. The TTX is typically aimed at facilitating understanding of concepts, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and/or achieving a change in attitude. The TTX format focuses on slow-paced problem solving rather than the rapid, spontaneous decision-making that occurs during actual emergencies or operations-based exercises.

    TTX methods can be divided into two categories: basic and advanced. In a basic TTX, the scene set by the scenario remains constant. The emergency event is described to the participants up to a certain point in time. The leader is then presented with a set of problems to be discussed by participants, resolved by the group, and summarized by the leader. In an advanced TTX, play is initiated through injects to the participants that alter the original scenario. The exercise controller usually introduces problem one at a time in the form of written injects; participants then discuss the problems, using appropriate plans and procedures.

    The TTX can have the following attributes:

    • Practicing group problem solving

    • Familiarizing senior officials with a situation

    • Conducting a specific case study

    • Examining personnel contingencies

    • Testing group message interpretation

    • Participating in information sharing

    • Assessing coordination among participants

    • Achieving limited or specific objectives

For further information on developing the exercise Scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is the purpose of the text box?

Answer: The user may add any additional text to the system-generated Purpose statement in the text box.

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How can I add additional participants to this list?

Answer: The participants on this list come from the information previously entered in Step 1 - Site Information. To add a participant to this list, go to screen 1.2 and 1.3 and enter the new participant information. Then, return to this screen and the new participant(s) are now available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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What is level-of-participation and what do the different levels (full, simulated, and limited) mean?

Answer: A participant's level-of-participation indicates the extent of a participant’s involvement in the exercise. There are three possible levels of participant involvement:

  • Full - Any and all of an organization's capabilities may be tested in the exercise.

  • Simulated - Controllers simulate the actions of the organization. No objectives are assigned to the participant.

  • Limited - Only specific functions of an organization's emergency capabilities will be tested. The functions or limitation in an organization's participation must be specified. For more information refer to Limited Participation Help.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why are the choices on this screen grayed out?

Answer: The reason choices are grayed out on a screen is that information you have entered on the following screen would be lost if the grayed-out answer was changed. To be able to modify the grayed-out answer, click the Next button and deselect the information on the following screen. Then click the Back button and the choices will no longer be grayed out.

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If a county with services participating in this exercise is not listed how can I add them to this list?

Answer: The counties listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To add a county to this list, go to Step 1 and enter the new county and its emergency organization or service information. Then return to this screen and the county will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why are no counties listed on this screen?

Answer: The counties listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. If no counties are listed, then county information was not entered in Step 1. To add a county to this list, go to Step 1.4 and enter the county and its emergency organization or service. Then return to this screen and the county will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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If a city with services participating in this exercise is not listed how can I add them to this list?

Answer: The cities listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To add a city to this list, go to Step 1 and enter the new city and its emergency organization or service information to your site information. Then return to this screen and the city will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why are no cities listed on this screen?

Answer: The cities listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. If no cities are listed, then city information was not entered in Step 1. To add a city to this list, go to Step 1.5 and enter the city and its emergency organization or service information. Then return to this screen and the city will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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If a tribal jurisdiction with services participating in this exercise is not listed how can I add them to this list?

Answer: The tribal jurisdictions listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To add a tribal jurisdiction to this list, go to Step 1.6 and enter the new tribal jurisdiction and its emergency organization or service information. Then return to this screen and the tribal jurisdiction will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why are no tribal jurisdictions listed on this screen?

Answer: The tribal jurisdictions listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. If no tribal jurisdictions are listed, then tribal jurisdiction information was not entered in Step 1. To add a tribal jurisdiction to this list, go to Step 1.6 and enter the tribal jurisdictions and its emergency organization or service information. Then return to this screen and the tribal jurisdiction will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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How do I add participants to this list?

Answer: The participants listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To add a participant to this list, go to Step 1.9 and 1.9a and enter the new participant's information. Then return to this screen and the new participant will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise Scope refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why are no Other Participants listed on this screen?

Answer: The Other Participants listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. If no participants are listed, it is because no Other Participants information was entered in Step 1. To add an Other Participant to this list, go to Step 1.9 and 1.9a and enter the new participant's information to your site information. Then return to this screen and the new participant will be available for selection.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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How do I edit the information for a participant on this list?

Answer: The participant information listed is based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To edit this information, go to Step 1.9a and modify the information for the participant. Then return to Step 2 and the modifications made in Step 1 will be reflected.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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How do I remove a participant from the list?

Answer: The participants listed are based on the information previously entered in Step 1 – Site Information. To remove a participant from this list, go to Step 1.9a and remove the participant. Then return to Step 2 and the participant will no longer appear in the list of participants.

You do not need to remove a participant just because they are not in this exercise. If not selected, they will not show up in the exercise scope. Most Exercise Builder files will have several participants available on this list that are not used. They can be and should be left on the list. You should only delete participants from the list if they will not be used in any exercise.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Can I change the Participant List using my word processor?

Answer: Yes, but any changes made to the participant list in your word processor files will not be saved or stored in the Exercise Builder database.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Why do I need to save the Exercise Scope in the Exercise Plan folder?

Answer: Exercise Builder helps you collect and organize the information needed for the Exercise Plan components. The exercise scope is one of the Exercise Plan components. Each component needs to be saved to the folder named the same as the exercise so that all of the component files may be combined using your word processor to create the final version of your Exercise Plan.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Can I change the exercise scope using my word processor?

Answer: Yes, but any changes made to the exercise scope in your word processor files will not be saved or stored in the Exercise Builder database.

For further information on developing the exercise scope, refer to the "Developing Exercise Scenarios" - Step 1.3: Develop the drill or exercise scope.

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Will this exercise require the activation and use of NNSA Radiological Response Assets?

Answer: If you answer “Yes” to this question, another screen is displayed allowing you to identify the NNSA Radiological Response Assets participating for this exercise.

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What are the NNSA Radiological Response Assets?

Answer: The NNSA Radiological Response Assets are:

  • Radiological Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS)

  • Aerial Monitoring System (AMS)

  • Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST)

  • Accident Response Group (ARG)

  • National Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (NARAC)

  • Radiological Assistance Program (RAP)

  • Federal Radiological Monitoring Assessment (FRMAC)

  • Nuclear/Radiological Advisory Team

  • Joint Technical Operations Team

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Other Exercise Builder Help Pages: