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== Lessons Learned From Scenario Village == | == Lessons Learned From Scenario Village == | ||
The list below represents cumulative observations and recommendations from Scenario Village exercises over the years. This list was compiled by Eva Love with PBEM. | The list below represents cumulative observations and recommendations from Scenario Village exercises over the years. This list was compiled by Eva Love with PBEM. | ||
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|Different individuals acted as Incident Commander, ARO, and scribe. | |||
|Having a distinct Incident Commander, ARO, and scribe improves communication and coordination during an exercise. | |||
|There should always be at least one Incident Commander, one ARO, and one scribe. In certain instances, it may be useful to have a scribe for both IC and Ops if they are in different locations. Scribes should also use paper to record current status, incident log, and observations. | |||
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|Incident Commanders, medical, and Team Leaders delegated new roles to SUVs as the exercise scenario changed. | |||
|Doing so kept all SUVs engaged and active. It also helped ICs, TLs, medical, and SUVs adapt and respond to new scenarios. | |||
|Identify roles and assignments at the start of the exercise but be prepared to adapt as needed. IC and Ops should always be anticipating future delegations. SUVs should be ready to change roles at any moment. | |||
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|Medical was situated near the Incident Commander. | |||
|Communication improved when medical was located near the Incident Commander. Complex information could be shared face-to-face. Additionally, the IC could better monitor the medical staging area and delegate as needed. | |||
|The medical staging area should be located near the IC when possible. | |||
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|Participants used tactical callsigns when using radio communications. | |||
|This prevented confusion and saved time during the exercise. | |||
|Encourage NETs to use tactical callsigns during Scenario Village exercises. Standardizing modes of communication will better equip NETs to communicate during actual emergencies. | |||
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|SUVs were given new tasks when they finished their assignments. | |||
|SUVs successfully adapted to support areas of greatest need as the situation changed. | |||
|Continue emphasizing adaptive exercises during Scenario Village. NETs should be able to focus on a specific task as well as quickly change gears. | |||
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|Communications prior to and during events can be disorganized. | |||
|This makes it difficult to execute the exercise and confuses teams and participants. In certain scenarios, the ARO was overwhelmed by the number of calls being received. | |||
|Communications prep should be conducted before the start of the exercise. There should always be at least one Op Control person assigned to handle the radio traffic while another plans and directs. Radio communications should be repeated to ensure all participants receive them. Continue to work on radio discipline. Complex information should be shared face-to-face when possible – this is easier if the IC has shared their location to everyone and stays put. | |||
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|Some participants were not familiar with the use of ICS/CERT forms. | |||
|Some controllers suggested that ICS/CERT forms were not important and participants did not record important exercise information. | |||
|TLs should drill forms with their NET before a comprehensive exercise. NETs should be able to collect necessary information even if forms are not available during an incident. This will better prepare them to respond to real-time emergencies. Consider creating a drill where NETs can test their knowledge of the forms in an exercise. Additionally, make sure that PBEM and PF&R are on the same page regarding the use of forms. | |||
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|Medical was overwhelmed by the number of SUVs and injured patients. | |||
|Too many SUVs to supervise and patients to monitor. Medical could only provide superficial head-to-toe exams. | |||
|If the scenario permits, there should always be additional NETs to support medical. If there are more than two injured people, the Medical Chief should delegate treatment to trained personnel and instead manage intake, triage, paperwork, and resource requests. | |||
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|There was no pre-identified controller for the radio check-ins. | |||
|The radios check-ins were chaotic. | |||
|During an actual emergency deployment, there likely won’t be time to pre-identify a controller. NETs should develop procedures for maintaining organized radio check-ins when there is no pre-identified controller. | |||
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|Rain made it difficult to create a written record. | |||
|ICS forms were incomplete and illegible. | |||
|Consider printing ICS/CERT forms on “Rite in the Rain” paper or adding Rite in the Rain notebooks to kits. | |||
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|Not enough scribes. | |||
|Incident Command and Ops had difficulty tracking teams, creating accurate logs, and prioritizing safety. | |||
|It would be helpful to have a scribe to help track team location and status. Developing a system to track movement and team status would also be valuable. | |||
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|Patients and bystanders experience trauma after disasters and emergencies. | |||
|Some patients struggle to communicate or follow directions because they are traumatized. | |||
|Consider creating a NET class about trauma-informed care. | |||
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