Exercise Policy
The emergency plans we produce are either Statutory or Non Statutory. Statutory Plans are reviewed on a 3 yearly basis and Non Statutory plans when required. The plan review process includes exercising the plan. We aim to conduct 2 major exercises per year, one for a statutory plan and one for a non-statutory plan. These exercises will test existing plan arrangements leading to possible plan revisions.
Before these major exercises we hold table top exercises to provide familiarisation and training for staff and other partner organisations.
Click here to see Somerset Multi Agency Exercise Programme 2008-2009
Types of Exercises
Different types of Exercises are used to inform, train, assess and test individuals and evaluate emergency plans. Exercises provide a follow on from training received and can also be used to assess future training needs.
Seminars/Workshops
This is usually based on presentations and discussion working groups. They are designed to explore and assist in identifying problems and finding solutions.
- induction to subject, organisations, roles and responsibilities, partnership working
- talking through a simple scenario in a non-real time with other organisations
- identify lessons learned
Table Tops
Usually based on a specific plan or topic as a means to train staff and evaluate plans for review. Scenarios are based on particular areas of response or worsening conditions. A presentation/paper based exercise usually working in multi-agency groups. Conclusions from exercise can be used when updating the plan.
Major
These are usually live exercises testing the response capability once training and testing have been completed. They require manpower and resources to be committed to working on the ground as well as management teams and control rooms. This type of exercise takes many months of planning and can be tightly managed. The exercise play may include time lapses to move the participants through an extended situation covering 2 days.
Each year we hold an exercise called RESTEX. This exercise is designed to test the setting up of a Rest Centre for use during an incident involving evacuation of the public. The District/Borough Councils in Somerset have the responsibility for running Rest Centres. Each Exercise has a Host District Council and a Guest District Council. The Host District will be responsible for setting up the Rest Centre and running the first shift. The Guest District Council will then work alongside the Host District staff and take over for the second shift. A suitable premises, usually a large School or Sports Centre, will be selected in the Host District to test. This is a test of the premises and a familiarisation for the staff. The exercise will bring together County Council staff, District Council staff, Voluntary Organisations and other partner agencies.
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