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Situation ManualSound Response 2013

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Situation ManualSound Response 2013

Handling Instructions

  1. The Exercise Sound Response 2013is sponsored by the Seattle Federal Executive Board (SFEB) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This Situation Manual was produced with input, advice, and assistance from the Sound Response 2013 Planning Team.
  2. The title of this document is the Sound Response 2013Situation Manual.
  3. The information gathered in this Situation Manual is UNCLASSIFIED.The control of information is based more on public sensitivity regarding the nature of the exercise than on the actual exercise content.
  4. All exercise participants should use appropriate guidelines to ensure the proper control of information within their areas of expertise and protect this material in accordance with current Agency-specific directives.
  5. Public release of exercise materials to third parties is at the discretion of the Sound Response 2013Exercise Planning Team.
  6. For more information, please consult the following points of contact (POCs):

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Situation ManualSound Response 2013

Sound Response 2013 Table Top Exercise Planning Team:

  • Andrew Cleaves, FEMA Region X, , 425-487-4732
  • Paul Carlson, Seattle Federal Executive Board, , 206-220-6171
  • Cynthia Ford, U.S. Department of Justice, , 206-553-2423
  • David Ochs, Federal Aviation Administration, , 425-227-1514
  • David Spicer, United States Army Corps of Engineers, , 206-764-3793
  • Franchesca Gilbert, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, , 206-764-3420
  • Frank Gremse, General Services Administration, , 253-931-7508
  • Mark Peterson, Customs and Border Protection, , 206-553-6944
  • Peter Rubenstein, Environmental Protection Agency, , 206-553-1067
  • Raymond Fleck, U.S. Department of Justice, , 206-370-8604
  • Christopher Springer, United States Coast Guard,, 206-220-7089
  • Michelle McCurtain, FEMA National Continuity Programs, , 202-646-3741
  • Cynthia Adams, FEMA National Continuity Programs, , 202-646-1641

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Situation ManualSound Response 2013

General Information

Introduction

Sound Response 2013 is part of the annual Sound Response continuity exercise series co-sponsored by FEMA Region X and the Seattle Federal Executive Board (SFEB). This series establishes a learning environment for all participants based on continuity plans, policies, and procedures. This exercise is based on a continuity tabletop exercise designed to establish a learning environment for all participants.

Confidentiality

Exercise Sound Response 2013 is an unclassified exercise. The control of information is based more on public sensitivity regarding the nature of the exercise than on the actual exercise content.

All exercise participants should use appropriate guidelines to ensure the proper control of information within their areas of expertise and protect this material in accordance with current agency-specific directives. Public release of exercise materials to third parties is at the discretion of the Sound Response 2013Exercise Planning Team.

Purpose

The purpose of this exercise is to allow agencies to discuss and validate the Continuity process of Devolution within agencies’ continuity plans, policies, and proceduresafter a 6.7 earthquake in Puget Sound.

Exercise Objectives

Devolution is the process in which an organization’s leadership and staff are unavailable or incapable of performing essential functions from either the primary operating facility or alternate sites; these responsibilities are then transferred to personnel at a location that offers a safe and secure environment in which essential functions can continue.

This tabletop will focus on the following objectives:

  1. Through the use of a catastrophic earthquake scenario, test and strengthen agencies’ current “Devolution” plans and support agencies’ initial efforts in developing comprehensive “Devolution” plans.
  2. Explore the existing partnership with your agency’s pre-designated Devolution counterpart.

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Exercise Logistics

Exercise Summary

General

Exercise Sound Response 2013 is designed to establish a learning environment for players to exercise the Devolution process within their Continuity Plans and procedures. Agency representatives will be seated at tables, based on their agency and interdependent missions, to discuss Devolution procedures within their respective agencies as well as external interdependent agency representatives.

Assumptions

Assumptions constitute the implied factual foundation for the exercise and, hence, are assumed to be present before the start of the exercise. The following general assumptions apply to Sound Response 2013:

  • The exercise will be conducted in a no-fault learning environment wherein processes, not individuals, will be evaluated.
  • Exercise simulation will be realistic and plausible, containing sufficient detail from which to respond.
  • Exercise players will react to the information and situations as they are presented, in the same manner as if this had been a real event.
  • Exercise participants are well versed in their own agency’s role and continuity plans and procedures.
  • Players will use the information provided by the facilitator to reach conclusions pertinent to the exercise scenario.
  • Players will discuss exercise events in accordance with agency approved plans, procedures, and processes. In absence of any written guidance, players will use initiative to react to the exercise events in a manner acceptable to their agency’s standing policies.
  • Decisions made during the exercise are not precedent-setting and do not necessarily reflect an agency’s final position on a given issue. The exercise is an opportunity to discuss and present multiple options and possible solutions.

Exercise Implementation

Concept of Play

Participating agencies will be grouped together at tables throughout the exercise room. Each table will have a facilitator to keep pace and deliver the exercise and related question. Once provided with the event, facilitators will prompt discussion through the scenario and discussion points. At the end of each discussion period, each table will choose a participant or use the facilitator to brief out during the discussion panel about their table’s output. Interaction among agency colleagues and other agencies and organizations is strongly encouraged to promote information sharing.

Exercise Rules

The following are the general rules that govern exercise play:

  • Real-world emergency actions take priority over exercise actions.
  • Exercise participants will comply with real-world response procedures unless otherwise directed by control staff.
  • The scenario is designed to set the tone for the exercise; however, participants are encouraged to not get caught up with the details of the scenario and get involved in the exercise play.

Exercise Setup

Exercise setup involves the pre-staging and dispersal of exercise materials; including registration materials, documentation, signage, and other equipment as appropriate.

Accident Reporting and Real Emergencies

For an actual emergency that requires assistance, the phrase will be “Real-World Emergency.” The following procedures should be used in case of a real emergency during the exercise:

  • Anyone observing a participant who is seriously ill or injured will first advise the nearest facilitator, then if possible, render aid, provided the aid does not exceed his or her training.
  • If the nature of the emergency requires a suspension of the exercise at the venue/function, all exercise activities at that facility will immediately cease. Exercise play may resume at that venue/function once the emergency situation has been addressed.
  • If a real emergency occurs that affects the entire exercise, the exercise may be suspended or terminated as necessary.

Site Access

Parking, Directions, Hotels and nearby restaurants

The exercise will be held on the 19th floor conference room, Seattle Federal Courthouse, 700 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA.

For more information on nearby parking, directions, hotels, and restaurants in close proximity to the Seattle Federal Courthouse, please visit the Seattle Federal Courthouse website for visitors:

Refreshments and Restroom Facilities

A light breakfast and coffee will be provided. The exercise is scheduled to end at 12:00 pm and as a result, no lunch will be provided.

Restroom facilities are located outside the conference room, on either side of the elevators. They will be identified during welcome and introductions.

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Facilitator and Player Guidelines

Exercise Staff

Exercise Director

The Exercise Director has the overall responsibility for planning, coordinating, and overseeing all exercise functions. He manages the exercise activities and maintains a close dialogue with the Senior Facilitator regarding the status of play and the achievement of the exercise design objectives.

Exercise Director:

  • Andrew Cleaves, FEMA Region X, , 425-487-4732

Facilitators

The individual facilitators issue exercise materials to players as required, monitor the exercise timeline, and monitor the safety of all exercise participants. They provide injects to the players as described in the MSEL.

Available exercise facilitators:

  • Andrew Cleaves, FEMA Region X
  • Paul Carlson, Seattle Federal Executive Board
  • David Ochs, Federal Aviation Administration
  • David Spicer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Franchesca Gilbert, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Frank Gremse, General Services Administration
  • Mark Peterson, Customs and Border Protection
  • Peter Rubenstein, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Raymond Fleck, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Christopher Springer, United States Coast Guard
  • Michelle McCurtain, FEMA National Continuity Programs
  • Jeff Sargent, Oregon Federal Executive Board
  • Cynthia Adams, FEMA National Continuity Programs

Facilitator Instructions

Before the Exercise

  • Familiarize yourself with the guidelines and mandates of the Federal Continuity Directive (FCD) 1, particularly the concept of Devolution.
  • Review the appropriate emergency plans, procedures, and exercise support documents.
  • Read the Situation Manual, which includes information on exercise safety.
  • Be at the site venue at 7:30 AM on September 17th, 2013.
  • Please sign in.

During the Exercise

  • Keep the participants on track by prompting discussion based on the scenario and discussion in the Situation Manual.
  • Do not engage in personal conversations with players or observers while the exercise is in progress. Discourage sidebar conversations within your group. If you are asked an exercise-related question, give a short, concise answer. If you are busy and cannot immediately respond, indicate so, but report back with an answer at the earliest time possible.
  • Continuity matters that do not relate to the topic should be placed on a “parking lot” status, to be addressed at a later time.
  • If you do not understand the scope of the exercise or if you are uncertain about an organization’s or agency’s participation in an exercise, please ask the senior facilitator.
  • Parts of the scenario may seem implausible and the players may object to certain parts of the scenario. Recognize that the exercise has objectives to satisfy and may require the incorporation of unrealistic aspects. Note that every effort has been made by the Exercise Planning team to balance realism with safety and the creation of an effective learning environment.
  • Ensure that the table selects a different person to report to the plenary after each discussion period.
  • Maintain a log of your activities. It will all be useful for production of the After Action Report (AAR).
  • Remain focused throughout the exercise.

Following the Exercise

  • Your group will be provided time to prepare for the panel discussion.
  • Encourage full participation in the panel discussion.
  • Select a group spokesperson to report out on the ups, downs and most significant lesson learned from the exercise.
  • Collect the Participant Feedback Forms from your table and submit to the senior facilitator.
  • Provide any notes or materials generated from the exercise to the senior facilitator for review and inclusion in the After Action Report (AAR).

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Evaluation and Post-ExerciseActivities

Exercice Documentation

The goal of exercise Sound Response 2013is to comprehensively discuss and validate the concept of Devolution within Continuity plans and capabilities in a no-fault environment. After the exercise, data collected by facilitators and players will be used to identify coordinated agency strengths and areas in agency plans that need improvement in the context of the exercise design objectives.

Exercise Evaluation

The exercise will be informally evaluated as a whole by the facilitators and players for overall lessons learned, best practices, and areas of improvement as they pertain to agencies in general and/or inter-agency coordination. Agencies are encouraged to independently evaluate their agency-specific continuity plans, policies, and procedures. The Devolution portion of the Continuity Self-Assessment Tool is included in the participant package to help agencies identify areas of strengths and improvements.

Panel Discussion

Following the completion of the TTX module, each participant table will discuss their TTX module output to the group. The panel discussion will supplant the traditional hot wash, and allow the participants to compare their results and to allow a senior panel of Devolution “experts” to comment on the results. This process will ensure that the participants receive the most constructive feedback based on the TTX module and discussion questions. This process is new to the Table Top Exercise design; however, the planning team hopes that the feedback will provide more than enough input to the results of the TTX module.

After Action Report

The AAR is the culmination of exercise Sound Response 2013best practices and lessons learned. It is a written report outlining overall strengths and areas for improvement identified during the exercise. The AAR will include the timeline, executive summary, scenario description, mission outcomes, and objectives analysis. The AAR will be drafted by a core group of individuals from the exercise design team and be distributed to all participants within 30 days after the exercise.

Evaluation and1Seattle FEB

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Scenario and Discussion modules

  1. Event +24hours: Initial Response and Devolution Activation

At 5:25 am on Tuesday, September 17, 2013a magnitude 6.7 earthquake on the Seattle Fault occurred. All of King County and adjoining counties were impacted including Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Vashon Island, and communities along and north and south of the I-90 corridor.The epicenter is believed to be under the Puget Sound basin, just miles west of downtown Seattle. Some buildings in downtown Seattle have collapsed, and many others are severely damaged. Portions of the Alaskan Way have collapsed into the Sound. Callers report a chaotic scene along the water front.

The critical infrastructure in the area was heavily impacted. There are multiple reports of major utility outages (power, water, phone, and gas) in various areas. Local communities are calling 911 and reporting multiple gas leaks and downed power lines. These are causing fires throughout communities in Bellevue and Seattle. A report came in that the Olympic Pipeline has been damaged.

Cellular and telephone communications are spotty and down in many locations, particularly along the I-90 corridor. It appears that cellular and telephone communications are not working in downtown Seattle and Bellevue and both downtown areas are experiencing rolling power outages. Many internet and cellular providers are reporting a loss of 70% of their systems in the impacted area. Damages in South Snohomish County are moderate with most roads and bridges passable.

At 6:15 am, there was a report of a hazardous material incident resulting from a spill in South Seattle near the Stadium from an overturned rail car. Motorists are reporting junction and overpass sections of I-5 and I-90 to be damaged, though, the I-90 and 520 bridges are still afloat. Washington State Patrol is moving to close I-5 South of Seattle and I-90 East of Seattle. There have been no reports yet of major damage at the ports of Seattle, however, SEATAC international airport assessment teams report cracks in the runways. SEATAC officials have decided to close the airport and divertall airport traffic to Portland and Vancouver International.

At 8:00 am, news reports are coming in showing that downtown Seattle is easily the hardest hit of all metropolitan areas. Between power and communication infrastructure outages, and the impact on I-5 and the I-90 floating bridge, the majority of companies/offices in downtown Seattle are reporting through the news stations that their offices are closed until further notice. It is mandatory that employees stay home and shelter-in-place if possible. Due to the impacts on I-405 and I-5 in and around the city, traffic is at a standstill with the Washington State Patrol closing down major sections of the highway due to collapsed bridges and multi-car pile ups due to debris on the roadways. Getting in, out and around the Seattle Metropolitan area is difficult if not impossible.

At 9:00 am, there are also reports on the news of multiple fires reported in downtown Seattle and in the neighborhoods of Fremont and Green Lake. A reporter at Harborview and Swedish medical center has confirmed that injuries and causalities have started to arrive at the hospital due to collapsed buildings and structures in Pioneer Square and the Georgetown neighborhoods. Both Hospitals are at 70% capacity, but that number is rising and it is expected to hit 150% in 6 hours according to the Hospital administrator at Harborview. A Seattle firefighter that was just interviewed reported that their station is overwhelmed from the number of victims trapped in the rubble from collapsed buildings in Pioneers Square and the Georgetown neighborhoods.