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Types of Exercises

xercise is the generic term for a range of activities that test emergency response readiness,
evaluate an emergency response plan, and assess the success of training and development
E programs.The five basic categories of such exercises are as follows: orientation exercises,
tabletop exercises (TTX), drills, functional exercises (FE), and full-scale exercises (FSE).The
first two categories are primarily discussion based, whereas the other three are action oriented.

A. Discussion-based Exercises
Types of Exercises
Orientation Exercise (Workshops or Seminars)
The purposes of an orientation exercise are to: (1) familiarize new staff with the agency’s
emergency response plan and/or (2) familiarize experienced staff with new or changing
information/procedures.An LPHA may carry out an orientation exercise under a variety of
circumstances, including the initiation of a new plan, procedure, or mutual aid agreement, or
in the event of new staffing, leadership, facilities, or risk(s).The focus is usually on a single
function, with roles and responsibilities clearly identified. It typically requires a scheduled
meeting of pertinent agency staff. No previous experience is needed, and minimal staff prepa-
ration and lead time are required. Orientation exercises make use of various training techniques,
including lectures, films, slides, videotapes, and panel discussions.

Tabletop Exercise (TTX)
A TTX is a low-stress event to stimulate discussion of a simulated situation. Participants discuss
issues in depth and make decisions using slow-paced problem-solving methods in contrast to
the fast-paced, spontaneous decision making typical of actual or simulated emergency condi-
tions.TTXs are designed as an early step along the way to functional and full-scale exercises.
Constructive problem solving is the goal of such an exercise.A copy of the appropriate emer-
gency plan and other pertinent materials are available for reference during a TTX.A staff person
is assigned to act as recorder, documenting actions taken during a TTX; these notations serve
as a reference tool for evaluating the exercise.

A TTX begins with a briefing by the facilitator to orient participants and simulators to the
TTX objectives, ground rules, and communication and simulation procedures.The scenario
narrative is then presented in an intelligence briefing.The scenario is generally invented and
describes an event or emergency incident, bringing participants up to a simulated “present
moment” in time.The selected event should be one that is realistic for the agency (e.g., a hur-
ricane on the Eastern seaboard, a transportation event at a major railroad hub, etc.). Materials
may be distributed to provide details about an imaginary jurisdiction, or participants may be
instructed to use their knowledge of actual local resources.The facilitator announces the
beginning and end of the exercise, and introduces the first problem, along with subsequent
pacing messages, to the participants.

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