McKinley Elementary Active Shooter & Hazmat Response Exercise

Transcription

1 McKinley Elementary Active Shooter & Hazmat Response Exercise After-Action Report/Improvement Plan December 15, 2014 The After-Action Report/ aligns exercise objectives with preparedness doctrine to include the National Preparedness Goal and related frameworks and guidance. Exercise information required for preparedness reporting and trend analysis is included; users are encouraged to add additional sections as needed to support their own organizational needs. Rev. April 2013 HSEEP-IP01

2 EERCISE OVERVIEW Exercise Name Exercise Dates November 28 and 29, 2014 Scope Mission Area(s) Core Capabilities Objectives Threat or Hazard This functional exercise is planned for 8 hours on each day at McKinley Elementary School, Tacoma Washington. Exercise play is limited to those agencies on-scene and will not deviate from the established scenario without authorization from the Exercise Director and Safety Officer. Response Protection Planning Situational Assessment, Operational Communications Screening, Search, and Detection Operational Coordination Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution Planning #1: Upon notification of incident, describe your (discipline specific) actions to gather critical information regarding the nature & extent of the hazards and cascading effects. #2: Discuss capabilities to share incident related information. #3: Discuss search method(s) used to locate hazardous materials / threats and how they are identified and reported. #4: Describe trigger points and processes used to identify need for establishment of a Unified Command. #5A: Under a Unified Command, and in a post active-shooter environment with hazardous materials present, describe the processes involving team deployment, containment & stabilization of the materials. #5B: Describe and demonstrate the steps for collecting, documenting, and processing of evidence for health & safety and criminal investigation requirements. #6: Describe decontamination protocols and procedures relating to the incident. Additionally, describe the post-incident collection process of decontaminated materials. Two individuals with handguns and hazardous materials to be dispersed into local area. Exercise Overview 1 Tacoma Fire Department

3 Scenario Sponsors Participating Organizations Points of Contact Two armed assailants enter McKinley Elementary School and begin firing indiscriminately at faculty members there for training. Additionally, the individuals are seen with what is suspected to be laboratory equipment and unknown liquids. Pierce County Sheriff s Department will respond and make entry to neutralize the active shooter threat. Upon conducting a sweep of the facility looking for additional threats, PCSO will be faced with a second shooter and discovery of what appears to be a lab with hazardous materials. The discovery of the hazardous materials will require a response from various agencies and jurisdictions to facilitate a full Hazmat operation. Tacoma Fire Department Tacoma Emergency Management See Appendix B. Ute Weber / (253) / uweber@cityoftacoma.org Mike Davenport / (253) / mdavenpo@cityoftacoma.org Exercise Overview 2 Tacoma Fire Department

4 ANALYSIS OF CORE CAPABILITIES Aligning exercise objectives and core capabilities provides a consistent taxonomy for evaluation that transcends individual exercises to support preparedness reporting and trend analysis. Table 1 includes the exercise objectives, aligned core capabilities, and performance ratings for each core capability as observed during the exercise and determined by the evaluation team. Objective Core Capability without Challenges (P) with Some Challenges (S) with Major Challenges (M) Unable to be (U) #1: Upon notification of incident, demonstrate your (discipline specific) actions to gather critical information regarding the nature & extent of the hazards and cascading effects. Situational Assessment #2: Demonstrate capabilities to communicate and share incident related information. Operational Communications #3: Demonstrate search method(s) used to locate hazardous materials / threats and how they are identified and reported. Screening, Search, & Detection #4: Describe trigger points & demonstrate processes used to identify need for establishment of a Unified Command. Operational Coordination #5A: Demonstrate the processes involving team deployment, containment, and stabilization of the materials. Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution #5B: Demonstrate steps for collecting, documenting, & processing evidence for health & safety and criminal investigation requirements Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution Analysis of Core Capabilities 3 Tacoma Fire Department

5 Objective Core Capability without Challenges (P) with Some Challenges (S) with Major Challenges (M) Unable to be (U) #6: Demonstrate decontamination protocols and procedures relating to the incident. Additionally, show the post-incident collection process of decontaminated materials. Planning Ratings Definitions: without Challenges (P): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s) and did not negatively impact the performance of other activities. Performance of this activity did not contribute to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers, and it was conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. with Some Challenges (S): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s) and did not negatively impact the performance of other activities. Performance of this activity did not contribute to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers, and it was conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. However, opportunities to enhance effectiveness and/or efficiency were identified. with Major Challenges (M): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were completed in a manner that achieved the objective(s), but some or all of the following were observed: demonstrated performance had a negative impact on the performance of other activities; contributed to additional health and/or safety risks for the public or for emergency workers; and/or was not conducted in accordance with applicable plans, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. Unable to be (U): The targets and critical tasks associated with the core capability were not performed in a manner that achieved the objective(s). Analysis of Core Capabilities 4 Tacoma Fire Department

6 Table 1. Summary of Core Capability Performance The following sections provide an overview of the performance related to each exercise objective and associated core capability, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Objective 1: Upon notification of incident, demonstrate your (discipline specific) actions to gather critical information regarding the nature & extent of the hazards and cascading effects. The strengths and areas for improvement for each core capability aligned to this objective are described in this section. Core Capability: Situational Assessment The full capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Upon arrival of responders, great effort was made by each organization to obtain a situation report and develop / execute their respective duties. Strength 2: Initial entry by law enforcement personnel was decisive and well executed. Members of the entry team had good situational awareness and were quick to identify and isolate potential threats. Strength 3: Excellent situation updates were being provided by the IC and team leaders to the participants. This type of coordination briefing process for maintenance of situational awareness is a key component to effective organization and advance planning. Areas for Improvement The following areas are provided as recommended improvements to enhance capability. Full capability level was achieved: Area for Improvement 1: First arriving agency should ensure follow-on agencies are provided clear information in regards to staging, location of incident command post / unified command post, and briefing schedule to facilitate better situational awareness. Reference: Jurisdictional scene and IC/UC setup procedures Analysis: Fragmented setup / lack of staging area manager hindered the process of coordinating, gathering, and disseminating of critical information. Area for Improvement 2: IC/UC should establish briefing schedule in the initial phase of the incident. Reference: ICS / NIMS Analysis: Lack of fixed briefing schedule for key personnel from all response agencies delayed the collection/dissemination of critical information to obtain situational awareness. Analysis of Core Capabilities 5 Tacoma Fire Department

7 Objective 2: Demonstrate capabilities to communicate and share incident related information. Core Capability: Operational Communications The partial capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Responding organizations were quick to identify communications shortfalls and supply additional handheld radios to facilitate cross-frequency communication. Strength 2: Agencies quickly demonstrated the ability to truncate multiple frequencies. Areas for Improvement The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: Not all on-scene personnel were able to communicate via a single radio frequency. In some cases, entry teams were unable to communicate with each other thereby reduced the overall safety of the responder. More emphasis should be placed on developing and testing a communications plan that supports those agencies identified within this AAR. Reference: Agency specific communication plans Analysis: Due to current limitations of responding agencies radios there is limited interoperability. Some responders expressed reservations about having more than one tactical team on the same channel due to potential confusion between agency terminologies etc. Area for Improvement 2: Radio communications were hindered due to the high volume of radio traffic on the shared net. Because of this, teams were in some cases, unable to relay information in real time. Reference: Regional Communication Plan Analysis: The inability of personnel to coordinate priority information greatly increases the possibility of safety issues and duplication of efforts. Objective 3: Demonstrate search method(s) used to locate hazardous materials / threats and how they are identified and reported. Core Capability: Screening, Search, & Detection The full capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Forming multi-jurisdictional entry teams. Strength 2: Excellent teamwork displayed between recon, entry and overwatch teams. Analysis of Core Capabilities 6 Tacoma Fire Department

8 Areas for Improvement: N/A The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: N/A Reference: N/A Analysis: Maintain on-going efforts for multi-jurisdictional training supporting the regional hazmat team concept. Objective 4: Describe trigger points and demonstrate processes used to identify need for establishment of a Unified Command. Core Capability: Operational Coordination The full capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Both law enforcement and fire service leadership elements were quick to identify the need for a Unified Command (UC) in the early stages of the exercise. Both disciplines understood the complexities of the scenario and were able to negotiate between the criminal and hazardous material components of the scenario safely and effectively. Areas for Improvement: N/A The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: N/A Reference: N/A Analysis: Sustain current training to maintain and improve response activities between law enforcement and fire entities. Objective 5A: Demonstrate the processes used involving team deployment and containment & stabilization of the materials. Core Capability: Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution The full capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Responders professionally demonstrated their ability to report to scene, obtain situational awareness, form teams, identify and don personal protective equipment, and deploy. Strength 2: Quick establishment of exclusion area as well as cold, warm, and hot zone. Strength 3: s quickly identified threats, effectively determined objectives & tactics, and initiated efforts to stabilize the incident. Analysis of Core Capabilities 7 Tacoma Fire Department

9 Areas for Improvement: N/A The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: N/A Reference: N/A Analysis: Maintain on-going efforts for multi-jurisdictional training supporting the regional hazmat team concept. Objective 5B: Demonstrate steps for collecting, documenting, & processing of evidence for health & safety and criminal investigation requirements Core Capability: Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution The partial capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Good unity of effort was evident during the collection phase of the incident. Strength 2: s quickly identified the need for multiple samples in support of the health & safety and criminal investigation requirements. Areas for Improvement The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: A need for additional practice of handling and marking samples was noted. Reference: Sample Collection Procedures Analysis: There appeared to be a lack of sample collection training which resulted in illegible markings of samples/evidence that ultimately could impact accountability of samples. Objective 6: Demonstrate decontamination protocols and procedures relating to the incident. Additionally, show the post-incident collection process of decontaminated materials. Core Capability: Planning The full capability level can be attributed to the following strengths: Strength 1: Responding agencies quickly assessed on-scene resources and identified a decon location and team for immediate implementation. Analysis of Core Capabilities 8 Tacoma Fire Department

10 Strength 2: s exhibited effective handling and decontamination of evidence, equipment, and personnel during the decontamination process. Areas for Improvement: N/A The following areas require improvement to achieve the full capability level: Area for Improvement 1: N/A Reference: N/A Analysis: N/A Analysis of Core Capabilities 9 Tacoma Fire Department

11 Operational Communications Situational Assessment After-Action Report/ APPENDI A: IMPROVEMENT PLAN This IP has been developed specifically for Response as a result of the & Hazmat Response Exercise conducted on October 28 and 29, Core Capability Issue/Area for Improvement 1. First arriving agency should ensure followon agencies are provided clear information in regards to staging, location of incident command post / unified command post, and briefing schedule to facilitate better situational awareness. 2. IC/UC should establish briefing schedule in the initial phase of the incident. 1. Not all on-scene personnel were able to communicate via a single radio frequency. In some cases, entry teams were unable to communicate with each other thereby reduced the overall safety of the responder. More emphasis should be placed on developing and testing a communications plan that supports those agencies identified within this AAR. 2. Radio communications were hindered due to the high volume of radio traffic on the shared net. Because of this, teams were in some cases, unable to relay information in real time. Corrective Action The RHG will incorporate this line item as a discussion / training topic during upcoming meetings and then shared with specific team members and incorporated into their future training. RHG will incorporate this item as ICS related discussion / training during upcoming meetings. Future training outlines will incorporate this as a training initiative. On Dec 17, 2014 the RHG along with select communications personnel met and determined that in-place frequencies / channels do exist to facilitate interoperability. A communications plan for this group has been drafted and being distributed for immediate implementation. Future testing will also be initiated when additional projected channels are finalized. On 12/17/14, in-place frequencies / channels were identified to serve as primary / alternate / encrypted channels for use by responders. Five other channels were identified to serve as alternate / special teams channels as needed. Specific channel identification will be designated by the IC on a case by case basis. One jurisdiction that is part of the RHG is not equipped with compatible radios. Requests and funding to upgrade their radio systems has been approved. Until those radios are in-place, these jurisdictions, if responding will sign-out radios from other entities on-scene to facilitate interoperability. Additional radios available for distribution have been identified within each Hazmat team and the Pierce County DEM. Capability Element 1 T T T / E T/E E Primary Responsible Organization Organization POC Start Date Completion Date All 01/21/15 Open All 01/21/15 Open All 12/17/14 All 12/17/14 Administratively Closed on 12/17/14 Validate process at next available Drill Administratively Closed on 12/17/14 JBLM 12/17/14 Open 1 Capability Elements are: Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, or Exercise. Appendix A: Improvement Plan A-1 Tacoma Fire Department

12 Planning Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution (B) Operational Coordination and Forensics & Attribution (A) Operational Coordination Screening, Search, & Detection After-Action Report/ APPENDI A: IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CONT.) This IP has been developed specifically for Response as a result of the & Hazmat Response Exercise conducted on October 28 and 29, Core Capability Issue/Area for Improvement Corrective Action Capability Element1 Primary Responsible Organization Organization POC Start Date Completion Date None Noted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A None Noted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A None Noted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A A need for additional practice of handling and marking samples was noted. Tacoma Fire Department hosted the PER-222, Public Safety WMD Response Sampling Techniques and Guidelines Course from November 4 6, This course was open to all local jurisdictions including those who comprise the. T (Shared) Tacoma Fire Department 11/04/14 11/06/2014 Incorporate training and handling/marking related drills into RHG annual training. T (Shared) All 01/01/15 Open None Noted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 Capability Elements are: Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, or Exercise. Appendix A: Improvement Plan A-2 Tacoma Fire Department

13 APPENDI B: EERCISE PARTICIPANTS Participating Organizations Day 1 10/28 Day 2 10/29 Federal Joint Base Lewis-McCord Fire Department 5 6 Army North th Civil Support State None County Pierce County Sheriff s Department 17 0 Pierce County Hit West Pierce Fire and Rescue 5 4 City Tacoma Fire Department (17) Active Participants Appendix B: Exercise Participants B-1 Tacoma Fire Department