Pre-briefing, 8:00 - 8:30PM EST 12/3/99 ExControl AmySebring: On behalf of the Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP), welcome to VFRE Fall '99 and welcome to W E B E X ii, our second online "desktop" exercise! ExControl AmySebring: I am the EIIP Technical Projects Coordinator and Controller for tonight's event. ExControl AmySebring: The schedule for tonight is as follows: ExControl AmySebring: For this first half hour, we will introduce the concept of the exercise, the exercise scenario, and our role players. ExControl AmySebring: Then we will break up into 3 rooms used for the exercise, get situated and make any last minute adjustments in roles, then run the exercise for approximately 1 1/2 hours. ExControl AmySebring: The exercise will conclude with an ALL CLEAR message, then we will reassemble here in the Media Center for an after action session of about 30 min. ExControl AmySebring: I think you will find that the time will pass very quickly, and it should be anything but boring. ExControl AmySebring: First, our primary exercise objective is to provide you with a learning experience, one that you will find very stimulating. ExControl AmySebring: We don't expect perfection, and we are not interested in minute details, just a general flow of action. That is, take it seriously, but not TOO seriously. ExControl AmySebring: Secondly, if you have participated in non- Virtual exercises, you know that the after action report ALWAYS includes communications problems. ExControl AmySebring: This exercise focuses on the flow of information between the scene, the EOC, and the public. Note this important fact: ExControl AmySebring: Although each room will be getting the next event at the same time, THE INFORMATION THEY WILL BE GIVEN WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH ROOM. ExControl AmySebring: Information vital to one room may be discovered in another. However, the only acceptable way to obtain this information is through their respective Communications Officers. ExControl AmySebring: No private messaging or wandering from room to room is allowed. Security will be called as needed, or for non- professional, disruptive behavior. ExControl AmySebring: So how is it supposed to work? ExControl AmySebring: Three rooms are being used. This room, the Media Center, will be used during the exercise to simulate a media briefing area. Now we know that media normally would be all over the place ... ExControl AmySebring: but for tonight, they will only be in this room. If you are a guest this evening, please consider staying in this room and playing the role of reporter. ExControl AmySebring: This will probably be the best place to get a sense of what is happening in all the rooms. At least we hope so! ExControl AmySebring: The other rooms will represent the Incident Command Post (ICP) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). ExControl AmySebring: In each room we will have pre-assigned role players, folks who have graciously volunteered their time to participate with us. ExControl AmySebring: For a listing of the roles and the players, please see http://www.vfre.com/Presentation26/roles.htm ExControl AmySebring: We will need to do some adjusting. ExControl AmySebring: Also we will have two other functions represented in each room, to help control the exercise: ExControl AmySebring: Each room will have a Communications Officer (COMM) who will introduce the exercise events as messages, and perform the task of communicating between the rooms and the "outside world." ExControl AmySebring: The COMM will be extremely busy relaying messages, so they have been instructed NOT to accept any private messages, either from role players or observers. ExControl AmySebring: Each room will also have an Evaluator. His job is to compare actions carried out by the players to expected actions, and communicate them to the Controller, to pace the exercise. ExControl AmySebring: The exercise pace will be determined by a combination of actions completed, and time available for the exercise, so don't be surprised if we seem to skip ahead at times. ExControl AmySebring: We have been very fortunate in lining up some experienced professionals to help us tonight, but we are not here to rate individual performances or expertise -- just to try out something new, and hopefully, to have some fun doing it! ExControl AmySebring: I will go over the scenario briefly next, and then introduce our players as we disperse to our posts. ExControl AmySebring: First a word about the URL's you will be seeing, now and during the exercise. ExControl AmySebring: You should have discovered that if you click on the blue link, it will open a browser window with the page loaded. ExControl AmySebring: Note that this it may cover up your chat window, which you will need to bring back to the top. ExControl AmySebring: Subsequently, the browser window may NOT automatically come to the top, so you may need to click on the appropriate button on your status bar at the bottom of your screen to bring it forward. ExControl AmySebring: Now tonight's scenario. ExControl AmySebring: The opening situation can be found at http://www.vfre.com/Presentation26/scene.htm ExControl AmySebring: An explosion and fire has occurred at the Golden Age Towers retirement home, early on New Year's Day, a bitter cold morning. ExControl AmySebring: The EOC was already activated for Y2K and staff are on hand. Fire and EMS have just arrived at the scene. ExControl AmySebring: See also http://www.vfre.com/vfre_frame2.asp?pres=26 for maps of the area around the scene, and some other useful information. ExControl AmySebring: There will probably be a few minutes as we get set up for the exercise that you can review the opening situation. ExControl AmySebring: There are also some links to photos from the scenario page that you may enjoy. ExControl AmySebring: Incidentally, this incident is an embellishment of an actual incident that took place in Allentown, PA in 1994. ExControl AmySebring: The complete investigation report of the incident by the National Transportation Safety Board is available for download from their website. ExControl AmySebring: Our players have no further information than you do at this point, as this will be the first time they will play this scenario. ExControl AmySebring: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Louise Comfort, who is playing our Mayor tonight, and her students, particularly David Johnson, for their assistance in the preparation. ExControl AmySebring: David tells me that the City of Pittsburgh is in the process of installing their new Computer Aided Dispatch system this week, so the timing has not been great ExControl AmySebring: But we are pleased to have a few folks with us. They are not playing their actual roles, I think in most cases we have given them a promotion for tonight! ExControl AmySebring: Finally, I will go through a roll call to introduce our players. If we are missing some, we will try to fill what is needed. ExControl AmySebring: As I call your name, will you please indicate tell us your city and real job, then change to your assigned room. (You may want to get it ready.) ExControl AmySebring: First, our Security Officer - Pat West is minding the Lobby. ExControl AmySebring: In the Media Center (here) ... ExControl AmySebring: Communications Officer - Libbi Reed COMM Libbi Reed: Asst. Dir. Rutherford Co. EMA - Murfreesboro, TN ExControl AmySebring: Evaluator - Yesim Sungu Yesim Sungu: Ph.D student University of Pittsburgh ExControl AmySebring: Public Information Officer - Cheryl Poage ExControl AmySebring: I do not see her here. COMM Libbi Reed: Amy, haven't seen her yet. ExControl AmySebring: Oh there she is. Cheryl Poage: I finally made it on. ExControl AmySebring: Cheryl, please give your city and real job. Cheryl Poage: Parker, CO PIO Parker Fire ExControl AmySebring: Assistant PIO - Ron Davison and Cheryl's backup ron davison: Program manager, Training, Education, and Communications..Marasco Newton Group, Arlington, VA ExControl AmySebring: We need some reporters. Any drop ins that would like to play? Please note you must stay in this room if you are going to play a role. No wandering about. Lou Angeli: <<<<< ExControl AmySebring: Thanks Lou. City and job? Lou Angeli: Battalion Chief, Chester County, PA ExControl AmySebring: great. ExControl AmySebring: In the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) ... Hank Salzmann: I will be a reporter ExControl AmySebring: Communications Officer - Avagene Moore COMM Ava Moore: EIIP Coordinator, Lawrenceburg TN ExControl AmySebring: Thanks Hank. ExControl AmySebring: Ok, EOC players ... ExControl AmySebring: after you have been called and introduced yourself ... ExControl AmySebring: go ahead and change to the EOC room. ExControl AmySebring: Use the time before we start to meet each other .. ExControl AmySebring: and understand the roles. ExControl AmySebring: Evaluator - David Johnson ExControl AmySebring: I think he went to help in the Lobby. ExControl AmySebring: He is from Pittsburgh and as I mentioned a big help. ExControl AmySebring: Mayor - Louise Comfort Mayor Comfort: Hi players! ExControl AmySebring: Louise is from Pittsburgh where she is with the University. ExControl AmySebring: Emergency Management Director - Hank Caparelli ExControl AmySebring: Assistant EMD - Steve Charvat. In the absence of Mr. Caparelli, Steve will take over. Steve Charvat: Arlington, VA - real Job (Program Manager-Marasco Newton Group) previous EM Director City of Phoenix, AZ ExControl AmySebring: Ok, thanks Steve. ExControl AmySebring: Fire Chief - Alan Hausman ExControl AmySebring: Ok, we seem to be missing Alan. ExControl AmySebring: Is there anyone here, NOT already assigned a role ... ExControl AmySebring: who feels qualified to play Fire Chief? ExControl AmySebring: Going once? ExControl AmySebring: Going twice? ExControl AmySebring: Ok, I have just volunteered Terry Storer. ExControl AmySebring: His background is more EMS ... Hank Salzmann: How about Lou kevin hess: need a fireman ron davison: Congrats Terry! ExControl AmySebring: Well, you are probably right. fire chief piotrowsk: today I was IC but DJ told me to log as fire chief Piotrowski ExControl AmySebring: I think I lost Lou anyway. Terry Storer: I guess its a field promotion ExControl AmySebring: Yes, you still are John. fire chief piotrowsk: ok got it ExControl AmySebring: Stand by please. ExControl AmySebring: We seem to have lost Lou. ExControl AmySebring: Perhaps someone will help you Terry. Please give your city and job. ExControl AmySebring: If Alan comes in, let him take over. He was going to come. Terry Storer: Lincoln IL FF/Paramedic ExControl AmySebring: Police Chief - We could use somebody. Any volunteers? kevin hess: yes ExControl AmySebring: Ok, Kevin, you are Police Chief. City/job? kevin hess: glenville wv ff ExControl AmySebring: (Terry go to EOC and tell them who you are playing. You too Kevin. Thanks. ExControl AmySebring: EMS Director - Gary Ciampanelli Gary Ciampanelli: Senior Safety Specialist, WPAHS - Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA ExControl AmySebring: Asst. EMS Director - Walter Green Walter Green: Director of Emergency Operations, Virginia Department of Health, and Director of the Emergency Services Management degree program at the University of Richmond ExControl AmySebring: Walter, please help Russell with Mass Care also. Russell Mass Care: City of Pacific Grove, California Emergency Program Manager, Red Cross volunteer Carmel Walter Green: wilco ExControl AmySebring: Ok, that should be it for EOC. ExControl AmySebring: Finally ... ExControl AmySebring: In our Incident Command Post (ICP) ... ExControl AmySebring: Communications Officer - Daryl Spiewak COMM Daryl Spiewak: Emergency Action Coordinator for the Brazos River Authority in Waco, TX ExControl AmySebring: Evaluator - Isabel McCurdy EVAL Isabel McCurdy: Burnaby, BC, Canada. EIIP librarian. President, McCurdy Enterprises. ExControl AmySebring: Incident Commander - John Piotrowski ExControl AmySebring: Hazmat - Tony Gaglierd fire chief piotrowsk: captain Pittsburgh fire dept ExControl AmySebring: Tony? ExControl AmySebring: EMS - John Soderberg John Soderberg: Paramedic/CrewChief, City of Pittsburgh, Bureau of EMS ExControl AmySebring: Ok,, need another fire person in ICP? ExControl AmySebring: With this being VFRE, you think we could round up a few more firefighters? Lou KDKATV: <<< ExControl AmySebring: Don't be bashful. It's not that hard. ExControl AmySebring: Lou you will do Fire at ICP? Lou KDKATV: sure ExControl AmySebring: Now that you have your login all nicely changed. ExControl AmySebring: You have time to change again if you like. Lou KDKATV: will do ExControl AmySebring: When you get to ICP let them know what you are doing. Bruce Chew: I'll take Lou's spot as a reporter ExControl AmySebring: Great Bruce ExControl AmySebring: thank you, city? job? EVAL Isabel McCurdy: Amy, I have a FF coming !! Bruce Chew: Bucks County, PA FF/ EMT-P ExControl AmySebring: Again for those of you who have dropped by this evening, you are welcome to observe or to play reporters in this room. ExControl AmySebring: If you join another room during the action, please enter quietly and observe. You may offer helpful suggestions, but you will be deemed outranked by our pre-assigned role players. ExControl AmySebring: It will take us just a few more moments to get set up, but then the action will begin in each room with the first Event Message introduced by the COMM in just a few minutes ExControl AmySebring: Enjoy, and please stick around for the debrief afterwards where you comments will be welcome. ExControl AmySebring: Our thanks to VFRE and National Fire & Rescue Magazine for the opportunity to be here tonight, and for their continuing support throughout the year. ExControl AmySebring: Also our thanks to our friends from Pittsburgh. ExControl AmySebring: See you after the exercise.