NCJ Number
236158
Date Published
2011
Length
110 pages
Annotation
Recognizing the importance of "tabletop exercises" (TTXs) as a component of interoperability training and exercises, this manual is intended to assist local policymakers and Federal technical assistance programs plan, design, and conduct communications-specific exercises in collaboration with the emergency response community.
Abstract
Communications interoperability refers to the ability of emergency response agencies (police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and emergency managers) to exchange data and voice communications across disciplines and jurisdictions on demand, in real time, and as authorized. In moving toward and perfecting communications interoperability, TXXs are a valuable tool. A TTX is a discussion-based exercise that focuses on existing plans, policies, mutual aid agreements, and procedures used among multiple agencies. Typically, a TTX involves representatives from the entire range of agencies and jurisdictions that would take action in all-hazards or terrorist response incidents. In conducting a TTX, some type of high-impact or large-scale disaster scenario is presented to the exercise participants in phases. As the scenario unfolds, the participants describe the actions that they would take to respond. Descriptions of the processes and procedures used are noted for the debriefing section of the exercise. A communications-specific TTX is a forum for evaluating current communications plans, communications concepts, resources, and interoperable capabilities. This manual presents a detailed, step-by-step approach for effectively planning, conducting, and evaluating an interoperable communications-specific TTX. The exercises developed and executed as a result of this methodology will help localities identify interoperability capabilities and gaps in existing processes. 6 figures, 11 tables, and appended planning tools, situation manual template, evaluation tools, and report templates