Attachment A_Participant Information

Attachment A- Participant Information Flyer

Invitation for Participation

This is a T.E.S.T. - A Tabletop Exercise Simulation Tool

Contact Lauren Finklea, simpler@cdc.gov for more information.

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed This is a T.E.S.T (Tabletop Exercise Simulation Tool) to teach emergency preparedness and response partners who may be involved in population monitoring about Community Reception Centers (CRCs) and expand their understanding of how to respond to a radiation incident. The goal is to facilitate cooperation between different partner agencies that would respond to a radiation emergency, train staff on their roles and responsibilities, and provide a Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) aligned exercise design that mimics real world issues that may arise, such as staff fatigue, public anxiety, and hazards.

Overview

This is a T.E.S.T is a collaborative game that bridges the gap between discussion and operational exercises for CRCs using narrative-based problems to foster teamwork, discuss resource management, and aid in understanding specific roles and responsibilities during a radiation emergency. The purpose of this game is to provide players with pressures and situations that likely will arise in a real emergency, highlighting the need to work together to process the population effectively. Player roles include public health, emergency management, radiation control, fire and police, communications, hospitals, and volunteer coordinators.

Audience

Public health, emergency management, radiation control, hospitals, volunteer organizations, and others who would be involved in response to a radiation emergency.

Opportunity for Engagement:

CDC is looking for jurisdictions to volunteer to host tabletop exercises using the new tool, This is a T.E.S.T. as a pilot project and evaluation. Below is the information about selection requirements. Please contact simpler@cdc.gov if you are interested in participation or would like more information.

Site Requirements for Selection:

Desired:

• Engage jurisdictional partners from Emergency Management, Public Health, and Radiation Control at a minimum

• Minimum of 20 exercise participants

• Previous experience with tabletop exercises

• Basic radiation response plan

• Venue for in person exercise

• 4-hour Commitment for Exercise Facilitation

Preferred:

• CRC plan

• Previous experience with CRC exercises

Evaluation and Participant Feedback Invitation

After using T.E.S.T. for an exercise, CDC invites participants to provide voluntary feedback via an online survey where we will gather information on implementation, effectiveness, and improvements to the tool. We are also looking to gain insight to how T.E.S.T. is meeting its goals and the needs of our partners.