Go back

Task 20.1 - Simulation of table-top exercise

Problem statement:
How can a table-top exercise help strengthen emergency preparedness for drone operations? How can different emergency situations be simulated to test the effectiveness of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and ensure that an Emergency Response Team (ERT) is prepared for real crisis situations?

Task description:
You will conduct a simulation of a table-top exercise in which you test an emergency situation described in an existing emergency response plan (ERP). The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of the role of the ERP and ERT, while strengthening your ability to handle unforeseen events.

Task steps:

  1. Preparation:
    • Carefully review an existing Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for drone operations.
    • Familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
    • Prepare a realistic scenario relevant to drone operations (e.g. a drone crashing in a densely populated area, technical failure during operation, or a fly-away into controlled airspace).
  2. Planning of the table-top exercise:
    • Define the purpose of the exercise and what learning objectives you want to achieve.
    • Prepare an agenda describing each step of the exercise, including activating the ERT, handling the situation, and concluding.
    • Assign roles to the participants in the ERT: Emergency Response Manager (ERM), Pilot, Flight Operation Manager (FOM), Safety Manager (SM), Head of Training (HOT), and Technical Manager (TM).
  3. Implementation:
    • Simulate the scenario as if it were a real emergency.
    • Allow participants to act according to their roles and use relevant procedures and checklists from the ERP.
    • Make sure that communication between team members is documented.
  4. Evaluation:
    • After the exercise, conduct a reflection where all participants discuss what worked well and what can be improved.
    • Document actions taken during the simulation, as well as ERP or ERT weaknesses that were identified.
  5. Reporting:
    • Write a report that includes the following:
      • Description of the scenario and the purpose of the exercise.
      • Overview of participant roles and their actions.
      • Identified strengths and areas for improvement in ERP and ERT.
      • An action plan to implement improvements in the emergency plan.

Assessment criteria:

  • The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context.
  • Realism and relevance in scenario and exercise.
  • Effectiveness in identifying risks and weaknesses.
  • Quality of reporting and reflection.
  • Suggestions for improvements and actions based on findings from the exercise.

Tips for implementation:

  • Use creative but realistic scenarios specific to your drone operations.
  • Make sure that all participants are well informed about their roles and tasks before the exercise starts.
  • Thoroughly document all steps during the simulation to ensure a detailed and useful evaluation.