Situation Manual

Time Allotted / 390Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Exercise Play / No Image
Exercise Briefing
During the exercise it will be important to remember and comply with the following statements:
  • Social Media:
  1. During today’s Flood Exercise use a smart phone to take photos of your team members as they participate in the exercise. Then either text the photos to 850-241-3565 or e-mail them to along with the name and location of your team. The photos will then be posted to Twitter and Facebook during the exercise.
  • You should only use Internet Explorer as your internet browser for today’s exercise.
  • For the purpose of this exercise the designers have developed information and maps for a simulated community / neighborhood entitled “Riverton”.
  • This exercise is designed to assist community / neighborhood / faith based volunteer organizations to assess the various capabilities of COMMUNITY / NEIGHBORHOOD preparedness, response and recovery in the event of a flood.
  • Using your own community / neighborhood as a model in terms of disaster preparedness, response and recovery assume that appropriate resources are available to your organization while participating in the exercise.
  • 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:
  • The scenario is plausible, and events occur as they are presented.
  • There is no “hidden agenda”, nor any trick questions.
  • Exercise Basics:
  • This exercise contains a total of 26 scenario and inject pages.
  • There is a scheduled 15 minute break approximately half way through the exercise.
  • The exercise is self-paced and it should take your team approximately three hours to complete. However, based on the time your team spends on each scenario and inject your team may complete the exercise in less than three hours or it may take much longer than three hours for your team to complete the exercise.
  • All videos embedded within this exercise can be enlarged to FULL SCREEN by simply clicking on the full screen icon in the lower right hand corner of the video.
  • Thoroughly review all scenarios and injects as they are presented during the exercise.
  • At the end of the exercise you will need to complete an evaluation (Hotwash) on how your team performed during the exercise. The Hotwash will allow you to provide comments on three areas in which your team performed well (Strengths) and three areas for your consideration to improve or modify existing plans and procedures (Areas for Improvement) to enhance your team’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. Found below are Hotwash examples:
Strengths – During the exercise our team consulted our disaster plans and procedures and found them to be complete.
Areas for Improvement – During the exercise our team consulted our disaster plans and procedures and found portions of the plans and procedures that need to be revised.
  • After the exercise each registered participant who took part in the exercise will receive an e-mail 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 - 605-475-4700
Account Number - 1076890 #
Time Allotted / 20 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Scenario – # 001 / Image of Riverton Neighborhood
Neighborhood Profile
What follows is a brief profile of the Riverton neighborhood:
  • The Riverton neighborhood is located in a rural area surrounded by farms and open fields.
  • There are 353homes in the neighborhood.
  • The majority of the homes are at least 30 years old.
  • 1,301individuals reside in the neighborhood.
  • The neighborhood is comprised of residents of all ages. Many have lived in the neighborhood all of their lives. 9% of the 1,301 residents are children under the age of 13.
  • The majority of the residents are blue-collar working class individuals.
Neighborhood Map
Access a map of the Riverton Neighborhood.
(Note: The area within the blue box on the map represents the Riverton Neighborhood.)
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 002 / Image of HIVA
Prepare a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) of natural and man-made threats to the residents of Riverton byaccessing the history of past disasters within the region.
(Note: If you have a strong understanding of previous disasters and the various disaster threats within the region you live feel free to complete a HVA based on that information.)
Identify all hazards, other than a flood, to which the community / neighborhood is vulnerable. Then rank the vulnerability of the community / neighborhood to the identified hazard. Rank each hazard as either: LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH.
(Example: Hazard: Tornado / Vulnerability: Low)
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Scenario – # 003 / Image of Flood Watch
Day 1 / Thursday / 1:11PM
Soil conditions throughout the area are nearly saturated due to recent rains.
A late season frontal boundary has stalled across the state and a low pressure system has developed just south of the front. The low is forecast to strengthen and move through the area over the next 72 hours bringing a serious threat for excessive rainfall across the region.
A Flood Watch has been issued by the local forecast office of the National Weather Service through 5:00PM Saturday.
Flood Watch
Issued Thursday 1:37PM / Expires Saturday State Universityste n ree Template and information onrivate businesses to develope s in an intuitive internet based ap 5:00PM
NOAA Weather Radios throughout the area sound their alarm due to the Flood Watch.
CLICK ON POD CAST TO PLAY
NOAA Weather Radio Alert
Persistent bands of heavy rainfall are forecast within the Flood Watch area through late Saturday with rainfall totals potentially reaching 10 inches or more in some areas.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video Library – General # 2 – Video # 20 – Heavy Rain
A High Threat for significant flooding exists, with many drainage basins likely to be overtopped over the next several days. High water may accumulate in residential and agricultural areas, as well as cover roadways. Areas near small streams, drainage canals and with poor drainage will be the first to flood and will experience the most significant impacts.
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 004 / Image of Preparedness Activities
Residing in a community / neighborhood that is Disaster Ready is the first step in being able to adequately respond to and recover from any disaster or emergency.
(Note: Access information on how to Protect Home and Property from Flood Damage.)
Is your organization involved in assisting community / neighborhood residents in preparing themselves, their families and their homes for a flood and other disasters or emergencies that may strike the region? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – List the various disaster preparedness activities your organization undertakes to assist with neighborhood / community preparedness.
(Example: Activity: Every year on Labor Day members go door to door distributing flood preparedness materials to residents.)
If the above answer is no. – Identify the name and phone number for all local agencies and / or organizations that will be able to assist residentsand then identify the type of assistance that may be available from each agency and / or organization.
(Example: Agency: Riverside County Emergency Management Agency / Phone Number: 555-555-5555 / Assistance: Conducts disaster preparedness presentations for neighborhood residents.)
(Note: Access to search for your community’s agencies and / or organizations.)
(Note: For future reference you may want to access the Just In Time Disaster Training Library for additional information on Neighborhood Preparedness and Response. These videos are too long to view during today’s exercise. Building a Neighborhood Disaster Plan / Map Your Neighborhood) – OPTIONAL
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 005 / Image of Planning
Day 1 / Thursday / 5:34PM
Based on current conditions, identify then briefly describe all the activities that will be undertaken during the next 12 to 24 hours as it pertains to POSSIBLY having to mobilize your organization.
(Note: As of Thursday afternoon no evacuation orders have been issued and no flood damage to homes has been reported. However, flood conditions may potentially worsen over the next 24 hours. Remember focus on the Common Operating Picture and DO NOT start guessing at what might happen.)
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Scenario – # 006 / Image of Flood Warning
Day 2 / Friday / 8:55AM
Rain totals from the storm have already reached 5 inches across portions of the region with isolated totals as high as 9 inches in several areas.
Wet weather will remain across the region through Saturday. A nearly stationary area of low pressure will cause bands of torrential rain to persist and further aggravate flooding.
Flash Flood Warning
Issued Friday 9:14AM
Once again NOAA Weather Radios throughout the area sound their alarm.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video Library – General # 2 – Video # 3 – Flooded Home
The Flash Flood Warning, which was issued by the local forecast office of the National Weather Service, remains in effect through late Saturday.
Additional rain is likely to produce a total of between 10 to 20 inches of rain over a wide swath of the region. These rainfall accumulations will produce areas of serious to catastrophic flooding within the Flash Flood Warning area with at least several feet of standing water in many areas.
An Extreme Threat for significant flooding exists, resulting in a very serious threat to life and property.
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Scenario – # 007 / Image of Flood Homes
Day 2 / Friday / 12:31PM
As flooding conditions throughout the area continue to worsen local officials issue an Evacuation Order for individuals and families residing in low-lying and flood prone areas.
For the past hour, numerous reports of flooded homes and roads have been received by 911 dispatchers with many individuals asking for information on the location of shelters.
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Scenario – # 008 / No Image
Day 3 / Saturday / 2:37PM
By mid-afternoon on Saturday the rains have stopped and the severe weather system that had stalled over the region has moved off to the southeast.
As the rain stops area residents that did not evacuate begin to emerge from their homes to inspect the damage and destruction caused to their neighborhood due to flooding.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video Library – General # 2 – Video # 6 – Flooded Neighborhood
Once areas affected by the flood waters become accessible local and regional emergency response personnel initiate life safety operations. From conducting needs assessment to carrying out search and rescue operations law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS, emergency management officials and various volunteer agencies are working together to meet the immediate flood caused needs of the area’s residents.
One of your organization’s members uses #RivertonFlood to search Facebook and Twitter and discovers an endless array of posts with images of damaged homes, roads and bridges.
Initial estimates by emergency response officials indicate that as many as 500 homes throughout the region have sustained some level of damage. At least 50 of these homes are so badly damaged they cannot be repaired and will need to be demolished.
Flood waters have begun to rapidly recede throughout the region.
Time Allotted / 10 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 009 / Image of Mobilization
During or in the immediate aftermath of the heavy rain willyour organization self-mobilize? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Briefly explain why.
The leader of your organization has been contacted by emergency response officials and asked to mobilize your organization due to flooding throughout the region.
(Note: Access information and a template on how to establish a Community Emergency Phone Tree.)
Briefly describe how the members of your organization will be contacted and told they need to mobilize.
Identify the individuals by name and title that will be responsible for mobilizing your organization.
(Example: Primary: Howard Thomas – CERT President)
Primary:
Secondary:
Tertiary:
Briefly describe your organization’s mobilization process.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 010 / Image of ICS Vests
Now that your organization has mobilized it will be important to effectively coordinate the various response activities that will need to be undertaken.
Community Emergency Response Team – Management Structure
If your organization is a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or similar type of group identify the individuals that will fulfill the Incident Command System (ICS) positions and briefly describe the responsibility for each position.
(Example:Position: Logistics Section Chief – John Harper – Is responsible for obtaining needed equipment and supplies that will be used to respond to the flood.)
(Note: For future reference you may want to access the Just In Time Disaster Training Library for additional information on the Incident Command System. These videos are too long to view during today’s exercise. Incident Command System) – OPTIONAL
Neighborhood Watch – Management Structure
If your organization is a Neighborhood Watch program or similar type of group briefly describe how this structure could be used to coordinate disaster response activities within your neighborhood.
Other – Management Structure
If your organization is neither a CERT nor a Neighborhood Watch program, briefly explain the structure that will be used for coordinating response activities within the neighborhood / community.
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 011 / Image of Priority
Based on current information and your organization’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) develop a prioritized check list, known as an Incident Action Plan (IAP) that focuses on the activities that will need to be undertaken over the next two days.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO PLAY
Video Library – General # 1 – Video # 5 – Incident Action Plan
In preparing the IAP list the objectives; identify all resources that will be needed to accomplish each listed objective; and list the expected timeline to complete each identified objective.
(Note: Identify and list a minimum of 4 objectives as part of your IAP.)
(Example: Objectives: Canvas the neighborhood to determine if any residents are injured. If medical assistance is needed for minor injuries team members should provide First Aid. / Required Resources: First Aid Kit. / Timeline: 1 Hour.)
Time Allotted / 25 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 012 / Image of Radio
It will be important for your organization to remain in constant communication with its members and various response agencies and organizations. Briefly describe how communications will be maintained:
(Note: Access the Neighborhood Emergency Radio Communications Planning document.)
With emergency management officials.
With law enforcement officials.
With fire department officials.
With team members.
(Note: For future reference you may want to access the Just In Time Disaster Training Library for additional information on Neighborhood Emergency Communications. These videos are too long to view during today’s exercise. Neighborhood Emergency Communications) – OPTIONAL
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 013 / Image of CERT Search and Rescue
Will members of your organization undertake light Search and Rescue operations within your neighborhood / community in the aftermath of the flooding? / Yes / No
If the above answer is yes. – Describe in detail how this activity will be undertaken.
Prepare an itemized list of resources that will be required to undertake Search and Rescue operations.
If the above answer is no. – Identify the local agency that will be responsible for conducting Search and Rescue following the flood.
(Note: Access to search for your community’s Search and Rescue organization.)
(Note: For future reference you may want to access the Just In Time Disaster Training Library for additional information on Search and Rescue Operations. These videos are too long to view during today’s exercise. Search and Rescue Operations) – OPTIONAL
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 014 / Image of Flooded Homes
Day 4 / Sunday / 10:43AM
Preliminary Damage Assessment – Essential Services
  • Most of the region’s residents have private water wells that have been submerged by flood water and are now contaminated.
  • The local electric utility provider has shut off power to residences in most of the flooded area.
  • Landline phones are not operating in some areas as floodwaters have inundated several phone junction boxes.
  • Mobile phone service is still available throughout the area.
Damaged Homes
Damaged Homes - Minor - Access Map
Damaged Homes - Major - Access Map
Damaged Homes - Destroyed - Access Map
(Note: Click on Access Map for each level of damage to open a map of the damaged homes within Riverton in another tab of your internet browser)
Preliminary Damage Assessment – Residences
After reviewing each map conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment by estimating the number of damaged homes:
With Minor Damage:
With Major Damage:
Destroyed:
Time Allotted / 15 Minutes
Formidable Footprint – Inject – # 015 / Image of Propane Tanks
The 1,500 acre farm owned by Agra Business International (ABI) has used propane to power much of the farm’s equipment for the past nine years. To fuel the farm’s equipment ABI maintains nine 500 pound above ground propane storage tanks. During the flood seven of the tanks were dislodged from their foundations and began to float down the river.
As the flood waters began to recede five of the tanks have been found located throughout the Riverton neighborhood.
Your organization has been contacted by residents who have discovered propane tanks in their yards. They are asking if your organization can helpremove the tanks.
Will your organization be able to assist? / Yes / No