City Exercise Schedule

The following chart shows the exercises conducted by the City since 1993. There are three types of exercises: table top, functional and full scale:

Table top exercises are the most informal. They are called table tops because participants sit around a table and share information about how their organizations would response to a disaster. Typically, they are done as a first step to make sure the plans of different agencies are in sync. They are the least expensive and easiest to develop. They are not designed to test the training of staff.

Functional exercises are the next step up. They involve more people. Usually City run Operations Centers are activated. These exercises test the training the staff who manage emergency response. The are supposed to highlight issues with inter-agency coordination. Functiona exercise do not involved field units.

Full-scale exericses are the most complex. They are simulated disaster with a full field response involved fake damage, actors playing victims and a full range of field activities. They can be very realistic, complex and costly. They are designed to test plans in the most realistic way possible.