Exercises

Emergency preparedness involves engaging in planning and practice exercises to test Emergency Plans. What might seem like a good idea in theory may have practical implications when tested. Therefore it is good practice to run exercises to test your Emergency Plans as it allows for scrutiny of the Emergency Plans under controlled conditions. Exercises also serve as an important too to re-enforce the Emergency Plan for all, thus makes it easier to follow while instilling confidence in the plan and those participating. It also helps bring people in the community or business together, to realise the same goal and understand each others strengths and weaknesses. This makes for more efficient and robust Emergency Preparedness within communities and business alike.

There are broadly 3 types of exercise that can be conducted 


1. Seminar Exercises

This is a simple organised event designed to bring all those for whom the Emergency Plan is designed ie a building, society, office together so they may be informed of the specific plan in case of an Emergency. The seminar usually involves panel discussions and serves as a forum to discuss logistics of the Emergency Plan. This is a low-cost and effective way of distributing information and creating awareness 


2. Table Top Exercises

Table Top exercises involve bringing together key players involved in the implementation of a specific Emergency Plan and getting them to talk through and discuss the specifics of their role in a simulated crisis. Based on their designated roles as per the existing Emergency Plan, participant plan, discuss and resolve problems as they unfold during the simulated crisis. This allows participants to realise their roles, responsibilities, tasks and overall logistics association when managing real-life emergencies and to make subsequent adjustments and arrangements when managing their day to day duties. 


3. Live Exercises

Live Exercises require pre-planning and special arrangements but provide the ultimate means of testing of an Emergency Plan. Live Exercises range from small scale exercise, to those testing a specific part of the plan such as evacuation, to exercises activating the full Emergency Plan.