Rule 3750-20-76 | Types of exercises.
(A) The following types of exercises shall be employed by each committee and the commission subject to the annual exercise requirement of their chemical emergency response and preparedness plans under divisions (A)(12) and (C) of section 3750.04 of the Revised Code and division (B)(13) of section 3750.02 of the Revised Code for the commission.
(1) A "tabletop exercise" is an activity in which commission, committee, planning district, local emergency management personnel, elected or appointed officials, and other individuals with emergency responsibilities are gathered together to discuss planned response to various simulated emergency situations. Using existing plans, the exercise is designed to elicit constructive discussion by the participants as they examine and attempt to resolve response problems. The purpose is for participants to evaluate plans and to resolve questions of coordination and assignment of responsibilities throughout the exercise. Each tabletop exercise shall demonstrate at least three but no more than five of the objectives defined in paragraph (D) of rule 3750-20-70 of the Administrative Code.
(2) A "functional exercise" is an activity designed to test or evaluate the operational capability of an individual function, or complex activities within a function of emergency response. This type of exercise is applicable where the response activity is capable of being evaluated in isolation from other emergency management activities. A functional exercise fully tests specific functions of the committee's chemical emergency response and preparedness plan. An EOC or command post is activated and used to demonstrate the use of command structure. Each functional exercise shall physically demonstrate at least four but no more than seven of the objectives defined in paragraph (D) of rule 3750-20-70 of the Administrative Code.
(3) A "full-scale exercise" is an activity intended to evaluate the operational capability of the overall emergency management systems in an interactive manner. A full-scale exercise involves the testing of a majority of the functions of the committee's chemical emergency response and preparedness plan. A full-scale exercise requires actual field play that includes mobilization and actual deployment of emergency personnel and resources required to demonstrate coordination and response capabilities. An EOC or command post shall be activated to coordinate operational field capabilities. Each full-scale exercise shall physically demonstrate eight or more of the objectives as defined in paragraph (D) of rule 3750-20-70 of the Administrative Code.
(B) The response to an actual hazardous materials incident may qualify as an exercise. In order to qualify, the committee must submit, within thirty days of the completion of the response to the incident, a completed "LEPC Exercise Notice Form" identifying the exercise objectives which were demonstrated by the actual response. Upon receipt of the "LEPC Exercise Notice Form," the Ohio emergency management agency will contact the committee to schedule a meeting to conduct an interview of all principal participants to determine whether or not the identified exercise objectives were successfully tested.
Supplemental Information