Item 26 - Adoption of the City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan

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City of Santa Ana Emergency Operations Plan Part I Basic Plan There are six primary types of exercises, which increase in complexity, realism and stress: Seminars Seminars are a discussion -based introduction or overview of plans, policies, procedures, equipment, resources, or concepts. Seminars provide an educational foundation for the topic area in a low -stress environment, for large or small groups, at little or no cost. Workshops Workshops are discussion -based exercises used to develop a work product, such as a policy, checklist, procedure, exercise plan or other document. Workshops are a smaller -group format of those with subject matter expertise or relevant input or perspective, in a low-cost and low -stress environment. Tabletop Exercises (TTXs) TTXs involve key staff or officials in a discussion -based exercise for a simulated or hypothetical situation. This type of exercise is intended to stimulate constructive discussion as participants talk through the implementation of plans, policies or procedures; participate in group problem solving; practice information sharing or inter -agency coordination processes; or facilitate the understanding of concepts and plans. TTX's are low-cost but with slightly increased preparation, formality and stress. Drills A drill is a narrowly focused, supervised, activity -based exercise employed to test a single specific function or operation. Drills are used to test or provide experience on equipment, to test systems or procedures, or to practice current skills. Drills provide measurable results and rapid feedback against established performance standards. Drills are low-cost with slightly increased stress and may test EOC activation or set-up procedures, callouts or notifications, building evacuation or lock -down, or other specific functions. Functional Exercises (FEs) A FE is a fully simulated, interactive (activity -based) exercise. It is designed to assess the capability of a jurisdiction to respond to an emergency by testing multiple activities, functions or interdependent groups of functions from the Emergency Operations Plan. Events are projected through a realistic but simulated scenario, with time -driven updates to drive decision -making and responses, including the simulated deployment of resources and movement of personnel and equipment. The objective of a FE is to execute specific plans and procedures and apply established policies under crisis conditions, within or by particular teams or officials. A FE requires considerable planning and preparation, may carry some cost, and is performed in a higher stress environment. Full -Scale Exercises (FSEs) In a FSE, response elements mobilize and deploy to one or multiple designated sites in response to a simulated incident, testing major portions of operations plans and organizations. Actual mobilization and movement of personnel and resources in the field are required to demonstrate coordination and response capability. EOCs and command posts are activated. A FSE is used to evaluate the operational capabilities of systems; to demonstrate inter -departmental and inter -agency communication, coordination and cooperation; to practice activating and allocating personnel and equipment and to test their capabilities; and to test communication systems and procedures, all under field conditions and over an extended time. Although pre -scripted events may be used, the exercise is primarily driven by player actions and decisions. A FSE is the largest, most costly, highest stress and most complex exercise type and may involve participation of multiple agencies and levels of government. 3.10.2 Public Awareness and Education The public's response to an emergency will be based on their understanding of the emergency, the potential hazards, the likely response of emergency services, and knowledge of what they should do to maximize their chances of survival and recovery. Public awareness and education prior to an emergency are critical to minimize the impact when an emergency occurs and to speed the community's return to normal function. Public awareness and education programs should be viewed as equally important to all other emergency preparedness efforts. 139