Tabletop Exercise
Tornado
Tabletop Objectives
 Demonstrate the activation and use
of the Incident Command System.
 Identify additional campus
mitigation and preparedness needs.
 Provide input for continued
emergency operations planning.
Tabletop Processes
 A scenario and update statements will be used to
generate discussion of probable response
actions.
 Participants will provide situational responses
based on established procedures and plans. The
Emergency Operations Plan is available for
reference. Other than maps and diagrams, no
additional materials will be provided.
 The exercise will conclude with development of
action steps needed to support future mitigation
and preparedness efforts.
Ground Rules
 This is not a test of current capabilities and plans. It is a
discussion of probable responses to a hypothetical
emergency and consequent cascading events.
 The exercise will be an open dialogue. All ideas and input are
welcome.
 Finger pointing is not acceptable. There will be no GOTCHA.
 One person speaks at a time.
 The scenario will be accepted as is. However, the facilitator
may make modifications at her discretion.
 No hypothetical resources are available.
 There should be no expectation of issue resolution.
Date:
Time: 6:30 PM
A meeting is planned in the XXX starting at
7:30. Approximately 75 students, faculty, and
community members are expected to attend.
There is an intramural softball practice in
progress on XXX Field.
The NWS issues a tornado alert for XXX
County.
Discussion Questions
 How do you find out about the Tornado
Warning?
 Who is notified and how?
 Are there particular buildings/areas of
immediate concern?
 What actions are taken at this point?
Date:
Time: 6:47 PM
 NOAA radio notifies that XXX County is
under a Tornado Warning.
 An F3 tornado has just destroyed
numerous buildings in (nearby small city).
 The tornado is moving at 30+ mph in a
northeasterly direction.
Discussion Questions
 Who is in charge of response operations
at this point?
 What are current priorities and concerns?
 What protective measures are taken?
 What facilities measures are taken (e.g.,
gas shutoff)?
 What additional notification processes are
undertaken?
Date:
Time: 7:00 PM
An F4 tornado touches down near XXX Hall. There
is major structural damage to this building and the
roof is gone. The XXX Dormitory and the Science
Building are also severely damaged. A large metal
tank near the softball field; it ruptured on impact
and is leaking. You have limited communications
capability. Phone lines are out, and cell phones are
working sporadically. However,
you learn that there have been
other touchdowns at the hospital
and the jail.
Discussion Questions
 Who is primarily responsible for
immediate situational analysis and
response?
 How, when, and where is the EOC
activated?
 What are your immediate challenges and
how will they be addressed?
Date:
Time: 8:15 PM
You have determined that the tank is leaking water. Damage to
the science building is not as bad as anticipated, and the area is
secured.
You continue to be without power except from generators.
Parents and concerned community members are congregating
on campus. Numerous students are leaving the area. City and
county responders are now arriving on campus. The media are
not cooperating; reporters and photographers seem to be
everywhere.
Casualties to date:
62 students with minor injuries
8 students with life-threatening injuries
5 unidentified bodies
10 students, 1 facilities staff, and 1 security staff
reported missing. Search and rescue operations
continue.
Discussion Questions
 There are now a number of agencies on campus. How will
unified command be established? What areas of
responsibility does the campus ICS retain?
 What are the notification processes regarding casualties?
 What is the current involvement of Student Health
Services? Counseling? Residence Life? Others?
 What are you going to do about the media?
 How will the issue of closing the university be addressed?
What information will the decision makers need? Who is
responsible for gathering this information?
Date: (3 weeks in future)
 The university was completely closed for a week.
 A total of ten students and one staff member died from their
injuries. The media reports that a number of parents are
considering lawsuits.
 The media has been relentless in its examination of the university
response to this emergency. Questions of preparedness have
been raised repeatedly.
 Repairs to damaged buildings
have begun but will not be
completed until September
at best.
 Donations of money and a
wide array of items have poured
into the university.
Discussion Questions
 What are the effects of the one-week
closure and how can they be mitigated?
 What will be done about the displaced
students?
 How will donations be handled?
 How will memorials be handled?
 What immediate and long-term recovery
issues are facing the university and how
might these be resolved?
Hotwash
 Did this exercise increase your awareness
of campus mitigation and preparedness
needs? How?
 Will this exercise provide input for
continued emergency operations
planning? How?
 What action steps should this group take
now?