What Should a Local Government Include in a Disaster Preparedness Exercise?
A local government disaster preparedness exercise should include clear objectives, a realistic scenario, the right participants, defined roles, decision points, communication expectations, evaluation tools, and an improvement planning process.
Core Components
- Exercise objectives tied to local plans or capabilities.
- A plausible scenario that reflects jurisdictional risks.
- Participants with operational or decision-making roles.
- Facilitated discussion prompts or injects.
- Evaluation criteria and observation tools.
- After-action reporting and improvement planning.
Why Design Matters
The value of an exercise depends on the quality of its objectives, scenario, facilitation, and follow-up. A well-designed exercise gives leaders and partners information they can act on.
How GS Federal Can Help
GS Federal staff bring experience in preparedness training, exercise design, facilitation, and improvement planning. GS Federal can support the full process from planning through after-action follow-up.