Situation Manual
Time Allotted / 375 MinutesOperation Hard Luck – Exercise Play / No Image
During this exercise it will be important to remember and comply with the following statements:
· The objectives of this exercise are to:
1. Validate basic understanding of CERT processes and procedures.
2. Assess understanding of CERT Communications Standard Operating Guidelines.
3. Assess the ability to gather and transmit damage reports via various methods.
· It is important NOT to jump ahead in the exercise scenario. In other words don’t focus on what might happen, focus on the Common Operating Picture that is presented during the exercise to make informed decisions.
· In any exercise a number of assumptions and artificialities may be necessary to complete play in the time allotted. During this exercise, the following apply:
1. The scenario is plausible, and events occur as they are presented.
2. There is no “hidden agenda”, nor any trick questions.
· Found below are CERT resources that will ensure your participation in the exercise is successful. If you do not already have copies of these resources please download and print copies at this time.
CERT Forms
Assignment Tracking Log / PDF
Communications Log / PDF
Damage Assessment / PDF
Personnel Resources Check-In / PDF
Team Action Log / PDF
Victim Treatment Area Record / PDF
CERT Standard Operating Guidelines
Communications / PDF
Emergency Operating Area Information
Phone Numbers / PDF
· Thoroughly review all scenario information and injects as they are presented during the exercise.
· Identify one individual to be responsible for controlling the computer and inputting responses to the exercise injects.
· After 5:00PM ET today each registered participant will need to log into the ONX System to complete their individual Hotwash to access their Certificate of Participation.
· If you need assistance anytime during the exercise please call the Help Desk at:
Phone Number - 724-444-7444
Account Number - 79799 #
Identification Number - 1 #
Time Allotted / 20 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Scenario – # 001 / No Image
After the hurricane moves out of the area community residents begin to emerge from their homes to inspect the damage and destruction.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video # 1 – Neighborhood Damage
Current Situational Awareness
· Electricity is out to 95% of Palm Beach County.
· Downed trees and utility poles along with other storm debris have blocked 80% of the roads.
· 45% of the landline phones within Palm Beach County are operational. However due to busy circuits it is extremely difficult to contact anyone.
· Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully activated.
· Emergency Operating Areas are operational throughout Palm Beach County.
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 002 / Image of Command Post
Per the instructions provided to CERT members prior to the hurricane making landfall in the region the team has gathered at the pre-identified Command Post location.
One of the first actions that will need to be taken once team members report to the Command Post is to check-in using the Personnel Resources Check-In Form. (Have all team members check-in using this form.)
Identify the individual responsible for the following Incident Command System (ICS) positions. (If your team does not have enough members to fill each of the leadership positions you may assign multiple roles to a single qualified team member.)
Incident Command:
Safety / Security:
Liaison:
Logistics:
Operations:
Planning:
Use the Assignment Tracking Log Form to assign team members to various activities. (For Example: Damage Assessment, Light Search and Rescue, etc…)
Time Allotted / 20 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 003 / Image of Safety
Once all the team members have checked-in would the next action be for the team’s Safety Officer to conduct a Safety Briefing? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Have the Safety Officer conduct such a briefing.
If the above answer is no. – Explain why a Safety Briefing would not be conducted.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 004 / Image of Radio
It will be important for CERT members to remain in constant communications with one another within their community and for the CERT to remain in contact with the Emergency Operating Area (EOA).
For the purpose of the exercise cell phones are working. However if your plan is to use radios please use your radios to communicate with one another and the EOA.
If your CERT does not have an amateur radio operator on-site that can contact the EOA you should contact the EOA using one of the following phone numbers 561-712-6442, 561-712-6443, 561-712-6447 or 561-712-6471.
Briefly describe how CERT members will remain in contact with one another.
Test the system that will be used to maintain contact among CERT members by dispatching at least three members to various locations within the community. Once these members are at their assigned location have them use your team’s communications system to talk to one another.
Begin and end all radio / phone conversations with “THIS IS AN EXERCISE”.
Did the system work? / Yes / No
Briefly describe how the CERT will remain in contact with the EOA.
If your CERT has an amateur radio operator they should check in with CERT Net Control.
If your CERT does not have an amateur radio operator utilize a phone to contact the EOA.
Note: EOA phone numbers - 561-712-6442, 561-712-6443, 561-712-6447 or 561-712-6471.
Begin and end all radio / phone conversations with “THIS IS AN EXERCISE”.
Use the Communications Log Form to capture information regarding this and all other communications with the EOA.
Was your team able to make contact with the EOA? / Yes / No
Time Allotted / 30 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 005 / Image of Injuries & Damage Homes
One of the very first activities that should be undertaken by your team following the hurricane exiting the region will be to canvas your community to determine the need for life safety assistance.
Also, in an effort to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to meet the needs of the residents within your community it is important that the EOA know the extent of the damage to homes within your community.
Exercise Instructions
1. Download and print multiple copies of the Damage Assessment Form.
2. Divide your team into groups of at least two members each.
3. Assign each group to canvas the community in an effort to assess damaged homes and identify life safety needs.
4. Use the Structure and People portion of the Damage Assessment Form to document damaged homes and injured residents.
5. Dispatch groups throughout the community to collect important information regarding damaged to homes and injured residents. Teams will use the color of cars in the driveway of homes to determine level of damage and the severity of injuries.
6. Use the following guidelines to determine damage and injuries.
· Damaged Homes
White Vehicle – Damaged House
Blue Vehicle – Collapsed House
· Injured Residents
Yellow Vehicle – One Person Injured
Red Vehicle – One Person Trapped
Black Vehicle – One Person Dead
7. Groups must return to the Command Post within 40 minutes of being dispatched.
Upon the return of groups to the Command Post prepare a summary of damaged homes and injuries within the community. Once the CERT Team Leader has a written summary, contact the EOA to report your community’s current situation.
Begin and end all radio / phone conversations with “THIS IS AN EXERCISE”.
Report your community’s current situation:
Number of Damaged Homes:
Number of Collapsed Homes:
Number of Residents Injured:
Number of Residents Trapped:
Number of Deaths:
Time Allotted / 60 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Scenario – # 006 / Image of First Aid Activities
Access the list of injured residents for your community.
Assign each of the groups that were assigned to canvas the community to identify life safety needs two or three injuries from the list of injured residents.
Once each group is assigned two or three injuries group members will practice treating the various injuries on one another using supplies contained in their CERT Kit.
Use the Victim Treatment Area Record Form to maintain appropriate documentation of the treatment provided to each individual.
Time Allotted / 30 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 007 / Image of Senior Citizen
Mr. Jones, an 87 year old widower and community resident, was discovered wandering down the street. He is clothed in only in a pair of pajamas and is confused and disoriented.
Should your team try to assist Mr. Jones? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Use the Team Action Log to describe the actions that would be taken to assist Mr. Jones.
If the above answer is no. – Identify the agency or organization that should be contacted that can provide assistance to Mr. Jones.
Is this a potential medical emergency? / Yes / No
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 008 / Image of Bottled Water
The EOA has contacted your team to inform you that they have received several phone calls from residents within your community that are in need of water. According to the EOA the water has been shut-off to a portion of your community by the local water utilities due to a broken water main.
Does your team have a role in assisting community residents with solving their potable water issue? / Yes / No
Use the Team Action Log to outline the actions that can be taken by your team to assist with providing potable water to residents within your community.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 009 / Image of Home Fire
While conducting damage assessment members from one of the groups notices smoke coming from a damaged home.
Use the Team Action Log to capture your group’s response to the fire.
Consult Section Two – Fire Safety of the CERT Training Manual if clarification is need regarding the actions that should be taken in such an incident.
Dispatch team members to locate your community’s fire hydrants.
Upon the return of the team members develop a list of where the fire hydrants are located.
How many fire hydrants were located?
Time Allotted / 40 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 010 / Image of Media
While driving through the area Erin Guy, a reporter from WPBF Channel 25, notices members of your team conducting damage assessment.
Erin and her videographer approach the team members and ask for an interview.
Should team members grant an interview with Erin? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Use the Team Action Log to capture your team’s response to this request for an interview.
If the above answer is no. – Briefly explain why team members would not grant an interview with Erin.
Identify one team member to act in the role of a television reporter and another team member to fill the role of the CERT member being interviewed by the reporter.
Have the simulated reporter conduct and interview of the CERT member.
Time Allotted / 25 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 011 / Image of AED
Upon returning to the Command Post one of the members assigned to canvas the community begins complaining of chest pains. The Safety Officer is alerted and the team member is instructed to lie down and rest. Within a few minutes the team member has lapsed into unconsciousness.
Does the CERT have access to an AED? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – First: Dispatch a team member to the location of the AED to ensure that it is available. Second: List the names of two CERT members that are trained to properly use an AED.
Use the Team Action Log to capture your team’s response to this medical emergency.
Time Allotted / 25 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 012 / Image of Shelter
This inject applies only to teams that have a clubhouse within their community. If your community does not have a clubhouse simply click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom.
Upon completing the canvas of the community your team has determined that there are a number of homes that are not habitable.
The residents of these homes have taken temporary refuge in your community’s clubhouse.
Will the residents be allowed to remain at the clubhouse overnight? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes complete the following.
How many nights will they be allowed to stay in the clubhouse?
Identify the individual that has authority to permit the clubhouse to be used as a community shelter.
Will your team be responsible for managing this private community shelter? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Use the Team Action Log to capture how this will be accomplished.
Time Allotted / 20 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 013 / Image of Curfew
As the sun sets the roar of generators can be heard throughout your community.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video # 3 – No Lights in the Neighborhood
Officials have issued a dusk to dawn curfew for Palm Beach County.
Are the members of your team exempt from the curfew? / Yes / No / Unsure
If the above answer is yes. – Explain why.
If the above answer is no. – Explain why.
If the above answer is unsure. – Identify the agency that would be able to tell you if your team members are exempt from the curfew.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 014 / Image of FNSS
Community resident Charles Highsmith relies on an electric wheelchair for transportation due to being quadriplegic.
Being a very self-sufficient, independent and proud man Mr. Highsmith chose to ride the hurricane out at his home believing he would have access to electrical utilities following the storm.
It has been 36 hours since the storm struck and the batteries that power Mr. Highsmith’s wheelchair have been depleted. Sue Blanchard, Mr Highsmith’s neighbor, has contacted your team to inform someone of Mr. Highsmith’s plight.
Will your team be able to assist Mr. Highsmith? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Use the Team Action Log to outline how this will be accomplished.
If the above answer is no. – Identity the agency or organization that Mr. Highsmith should be referred to for assistance.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Operation Hard Luck – Inject – # 015 / Image of Demobilization
At what point would your team demobilize?
Briefly describe the procedure for demobilization.
Does your team’s demobilization procedure include an operational debriefing of all team members? / Yes / No / Unsure
If the above answer is yes. – Briefly describe how this debriefing will be accomplished.
Does your team’s demobilization procedure include a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) of all team members? / Yes / No / Unsure
If the above answer is yes. – Briefly describe how this debriefing will be accomplished.
Notify the EOA that your team is demobilizing.
Conduct your team’s demobilization debriefing for Hurricane Jason.
Time Allotted / 20 Minutes
Situation Manual – Functional Exercise 1 Disaster Resistant Communities Group – www.drc-group.com