Scenario Format for Action-Based Functional Exercises

Scenario Format for Action-Based Functional Exercises

1. 
   Overview of organization’s existing plans for emergencies; venue may be EOC or field.
   

21.Briefing modeled on those delivered at Staging in a real event, or delivered to those arriving at the EOC or TMC to manage an emergency.

22.“Simulation cell” (Sim Cell) delivers messages to the participants using telephone, radio, amateur radio, cell phone, e-mail, runner-carried messages or any other technology used by the organization in real events. These “inputs” drive play. Players determine their own responses to the Sim Cell messages. Evaluators note whether the reactions are according to the plan, going beyond the plan due to the complexity of the response, or off plan because the plan is faulty. All discrepancies between play and plan will be discussed in the After Action Review.

23.Periodically, briefing updates may be delivered to the participants by their Section Chiefs, as though they were working during an event. This may be face-to-face in Section groups or through messaging. These “inputs” also drive play.

24.Play continues until all exercise objectives are met, or until available time has elapsed.

25.Allow adequate time for an after-action review and improvement plan development (see Table 2: Exercise Components). Ensure that:

26.The existing plans are being properly used.

27.New actions that are appropriate are added to the plan.

28.The existing reporting relationships are being used, or modifications are discussed and substituted.

29.ICS/ NIMS is being used.

30.The evaluators and exercise staff are noting areas for improvement in training, planning, and systems/equipment.

Example Scenario for Action-Based Transportation Sector Functional Exercises

SCADA Failure for Mass Transit System

News source: Darin Andersen, “Protecting Today’s SCADA-Based Mass Transit Systems Should Begin with a Defense-in-Depth Strategy,” Mass Transit [Website] (October 10, 2012), http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/10812546/protecting-todays-scada-based-mass-transit-systems-should-begin-with-a-defense-in-depth-strategy?print=true accessed October 30, 2013).

A cell phone call is received at the Central City Mass Transit Agency (CCMTA) call center from a light rail operator noting that the last two signals that he passed are not working. He continued to operate the light rail cars using visual information from the front car operating position, but the failure of the second signal has caused concern. He is at a station awaiting direction on how to proceed.

Sim Cell Messages:

1. 
   Call center operator notifies the Call Center Director of the signal failure. [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for signal failures. Note that the work of the emergency response team is largely driven by the Call Center Director’s initial responses to the Sim Cell calls. Therefore, it is important that this person have a pre-event review briefing with the Exercise Director regarding his/her role, and that an up-to-date plan is available to every participant during the exercise, with the appropriate position Checklists for tabbed for easy access.]
   

A cell phone call is received at the CCMTA call center from a bus operator asking why his electronic fare machine is not working. He has a line of 10 people with fare cards who are trying to board the bus and he needs direction. Should he just let them ride for free since his machine is malfunctioning?

Sim Cell Messages:

1. 
   Call Center operator notifies the Call Center Director of the fare box failure. [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for fare box failures.]
   

A field safety supervisor calls on his cell phone to the Call Center Director to report that the safety systems for traffic signal interlock for light rail have all gone dark. He asks for direction on whether to stop field operations of the light rail system for safety reasons, noting that without the interlock the left turn signal will still operate, permitting cars to turn in front of the light rail cars. Should he try to get personnel to direct traffic at the major light rail traffic intersections?

Sim Cell Messages:

1. 
   Sim Cell member reads above message to Call Center Director. [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for signal interlock failures.]
   
2. 
   Signal system manager calls Call Center Director to report that the signal problem is in the CCMTA’s internal IT system. [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for signal failures. Monitor play to ensure that ICS is established within CCMTA by this point.]
   

The Call Center has received a cell phone call from a motorist on First Street. A southbound light rail car has just hit a car at the corner of First and Maple Streets. The flashing “trolley coming” signal interlock did not work, so the driver, who had a green light, made the left turn in front of the light rail train, assuming that it was going to stop since there was no flashing signal. The driver is pinned in the car with injuries, and at least 10 passengers who were standing have been thrown to the floor as the operator tried to apply the brake.

Sim Cell Messages:

1. 
   Call Center operator notifies the Call Center Director of the above (reads message). [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for signal failures.]
   
2. 
   Field safety officer makes cell phone call to Call Center Director, noting that he has called for law enforcement and fire/EMS to come to First and Maple Streets where there is a light rail versus car accident with at least 10 serious injuries. He notes that his mobile data terminal is not working, nor is his CCMTA radio. The light rail line is blocked, so a bus bridge is needed from the Freeway Stop around the accident to the Elm Stop where the northbound trains can turn around. [Call Center Director takes appropriate action based on the CCMTA’s emergency plan for light rail accidents, and for computer and radio failures.]