The Exercise

1
The Exercise
2
Introduction to tabletop exercises

• Low stress events
• Designed to allow participants to talk through
  plans and problems
• NOT designed to measure anyone's performance
• Serve as springboard for further planning and
  more comprehensive exercises

3
Ground Rules

• "Buy-in" to the exercise
• Limited to real resources
• Discuss the scenario from the perspective of the
  local response
• Facilitators can answer questions role play
  agencies not present at exercise
• Should a real emergency occur during the course
  of the exercise, the escape word is "LIFESAVER".
  Saying this word will be a signal to immediately
  terminate the exercise.

4
Lessons Learned from Hurricanes

• Response to warning is dependent upon previous
  experiences
• Warning must be timely, informative, and as
  accurate as possible given the available data.
• People are reluctant to leave their pets and
  personal property
• Logistics must be organized in advance.
• Ensure that the routes have been thought through
• There are safe places for people to go
• Be prepared to provide food, water, and medical
  assistance.

5

• Vulnerable populations must be considered
• Respect the civil liberties of individuals and
  anticipate that your actions to control
  population movement may be met with resistance.
• During any emergency that requires control of
  population movement, fear will be prevalent.
  Anticipate this, as well as the impact of fear on
  peoples abilities to process information and
  make decisions.

6
Working Assumptions of Vulnerable Populations in
the Town of Wavell

• 52,000 residents and 22,000 households
• Haven for retirees
• 20 of the population gt 65 years of age
• 14 of households consist of someone gt 65 living
  alone
• Assisted living center with 350 residents and 2
  high-rises for elderly residents
• Public safety officials do not have information
  on special-needs residents who arent in these
  facilities
• 15 of all residents self-identify as having some
  form of disability
• About 6 of Wavell households live below the
  poverty line
• 7.3 of those lt age 18, 7.4 gt age 65
• One low-income housing development and several
  low-income neighborhoods spread across the town.

7
Public Safety and Public Health in Wavell

• Six ladder/engine companies
• 120 full-time firefighters of which 61 are also
  certified as EMTs
• 2 ALS and 2 BLS ambulances
• 100 full-time police officers with 15 vehicles
• Wavell Public Health Department
• 7-person staff
• Medical Reserve Corp
• 300 enrolled volunteers with wide ranging
  experience and baseline training in ICS
• Today, 75 volunteers available to respond

8
Wavell Health Services

• Two extended care facilities, each with bed
  capacities of 150
• Wavell Hospital, a 350 bed facility, is the
  primary acute care site
• Wavell Visiting Nurse Association and Home and
  Health Resources
• Serve approximately 1,500 individuals
• Tertiary care services 3 hours away in Windent
• Number of smaller community facilities in
  surrounding towns

9
Wavell Schools

• 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1
  high school
• 10 known daycare centers

10
Wavell Social Services

• Mental Health of South Wavell
• Substance abuse treatment center outpatient
  counseling services
• One homeless shelter
• Estimated 800 homeless people in Wavell

11
Languages in Wavell

• 10 of residents speak a language other than
  English
• Second most commonly spoken language is Spanish
• Wide range of Asian and Pacific Island languages
• Small Portuguese-speaking Brazilian community
• - Many members are undocumented
• - Provide seasonal work to area farms

12
Public Transportation in Wavell

• Wavell County Bus System and two taxi cab
  companies
• Approximately 8 of the population does not have
  any vehicle available

13
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