Rothstein Associates Inc.

EXERCISE SOURCEBOOK: ORIENTATION AND TABLETOP EXERCISES
by James W. Morentz, Ph.D. and Scott A. Gutschick

Describes low-stress exercises to introduce new plans or procedures. Tells how to lead
discussions and emphasizes teaching rather than testing.

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“This Source book begins with a commitment to the development of a progressive exercise
program involving five kinds of increasingly complex exercises. To this end, the book will
help
you design, prepare, conduct., and evaluate three types of low stress training exercises --
Orientation Seminar, Discussion Seminars, and Tabletop Exercises. These types of training
exercises are practical, efficient, and proven ways to improve the individual abilities of
emergency service personnel and the overall capabi1ity of a corporate or government
emergency management system. The other two advanced exercises are covered in
Operating Center Simulations [DR245] and Outside Disaster Drills [DR246].”

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
Training Exercises
A Progressive Exercise Program

SELECTING AN EXERCISE: THREE CHOICES
Orientation Seminar
Discussion Seminar
Tabletop Seminar

PREPARING FOR TRAINING EXERCISES
Planning the Exercise
Work Plans
Purpose and Objectives
A Statement of Purpose
Objectives
Expected Actions
Simulation Development
Writing Scenario Narratives
Writing Problems
Tornado Training Exercise
Flood Training Exercise
Wildfire Training Exercise
Airplane Crash Training Exercise
Earthquake Training Exercise
Blizzard Training Exercise
Biological Accident Training Exercise
Hurricane Training Exercise
Terrorist Incident Training Exercise
National Emergency Training Exercise
Low-Key Messages
Converting Problems to Messages
Facilities, Displays, and Materials
Facilities
Displays and Materials
Maps
Charts
Messages
Staffing the Training Exercise
The Control Role
The Simulation Role
The Evaluation Role
Staff

CONDUCTING THE EXERCISE
Conducting Orientation Seminars
Conducting Discussion Seminars
Conducting Tabletop Seminars

CRITIQUE, EVALUATION, AND FOLLOW-UP
How to Learn the Lessons of the Exercise
Conducting a Critique
Recommendations Report
Follow-Up
Next Level of Exercises

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1984, 64 pages. Order #DR244.
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