United Way of Larimer County

Tabletop Drill #2

Objective #1:

Stimulate discussion around preparedness issues resulting from the Windsor Tornado.

Objective #2:

Assess how well United Way of Larimer County’s staff was prepared to integrate and participate in community-wide emergencies both internally and externally. This integration would include internal cross-department integration within United Way; United Way of Weld County; other Voluntary Organizations; law enforcement and emergency managers. As a result of this assessment, create collaboration and relationships between departments and with important providers to continue preparedness.

Objective #3:

Assess the ability to respond to a public emergency, including staff and family safety and security of the facility.

Objective #4:

Develop a risk assessment of communication messaging consistent with local authorities in a rapid and timely manner for internal and external dissemination.


United Way of Larimer County

Tabletop Drill #1

Scenario Summary

The Event: On May 22nd 2008 it was reported that the town of Gilcrest was hit by a tornado. The storm was heading North West at 35 miles per hour. During the next hour reports were made that the town of Windsor had been hit by the tornado and sustained extreme damage. The storm was continuing to head North West at 35 miles per hour.

During the second hour:

United Way of Weld County’s 2-1-1 Director asked us to assist with resource integration into Tapestry.

Colorado Department of Emergency Management called to find out what our response was and if we could set up a Volunteer Reception Center by the next day.

First days of the recovery:

United Way 2-1-1’s Volunteer Center was asked to set up the Volunteer Reception Center and man the center through the next 5 days.

United Way 2-1-1’s Call Center answered over 3,500 calls in the 5 days following the tornado.

Situation #1

5 Mins

During First Hour:

Discussion Points:

1.  What should be the protocol to warn employees of the potential risk?

2.  What actions should each department make in this initial phase?

Campaign

Processing

Volunteer Center

2-1-1

Community Investment

Facilities’

Marketing

Support

Situation #2

5 Mins

During Second Hour:

Discussion Points:

1.  What should be the protocol to initialize the Emergency Plan?

2.  What actions should each department make in this secondary phase?

Campaign

Processing

Volunteer Center

2-1-1

Community Investment

Facilities’

Marketing

Support


Situation #3

5 Mins

First days of Recovery:

Discussion Points:

1.  How well did we integrate and participate in this community emergency?

2.  How well did we utilize volunteers and or cross department integration?

3.  How well did we integrate with other voluntary organizations?

4.  How well did we communicate to both staff and the community about our response?

5.  What actions should each department make in this secondary phase?

6.  What else can we put into place?

Campaign

Processing

Volunteer Center

2-1-1

Community Investment

Facilities’

Marketing

Support


“Hotwash”

5 Mins

After-Action Debriefing

Please elicit as much detail as possible to help the Disaster Planning Committee address issues within the United Way of Larimer County’s Contingency Plan.

Debriefing Questions:

1.  Were the “Exercise Objectives” clear and applicable?

2.  What items do you think need to be addressed in the Contingency Plan to help us move forward with emergency planning for the future?

3.  Any other issues or items for the debriefing?