TEMA Introduces Tabletop Exercise Scenario Training Program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) announced the introduction of the Tabletop Exercise Scenario Training (T.E.S.T.) Program with an initial focus on school safety. T.E.S.T. is an innovative program, freely available and downloadable, designed to provide organizations across the state the ability to facilitate their own training exercises.

Tabletop exercises serve as an integral part of a much larger system of evaluation activities, and may be executed more frequently than larger, more comprehensive exercises. Emergency planners use tabletop exercises as a tool to highlight areas of strength and weakness within a specific focus area. These exercises are less formal and allow for conversation, as the name implies, about responsibilities and roles of leaders and members of their staffs in a crisis scenario. Teams are allowed to discuss various strategies and explore those strategies to lead to positive outcomes.

Currently, the available scenarios within T.E.S.T. are centered around school safety, but as the program continues to evolve, additional scenarios encompassing natural disasters and human-caused incidents will be added to the website. The T.E.S.T. Program offers a structured framework with customizable scenarios tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each participating organization. Using the available scenarios and guidance, organizations may test their emergency plans and identify any gaps within their capabilities.

"Our goal with the Tabletop Exercise Scenario Training Program is to help organizations of all sizes enhance their preparedness, readiness, and resilience," said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. "By providing readily available resources and guidance, we aim to foster a culture of preparedness within communities and facilitate proactive risk management in businesses and organizations."

Recently, in collaboration with TEMA, the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security piloted the program with a focus on an active aggressor in a school.

"Tabletop exercises are valuable learning opportunities that bring key stakeholders together to examine strengths and expose areas for improvement before a crisis occurs," said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. "TEMA has done an excellent job designing this valuable tool with the flexibility to be used for multiple crisis scenarios. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security looks forward to continuing our partnerships all over the state to keep schools safe."

In today's dynamic and uncertain environment, preparedness is paramount. Tennessee has 13 hazards of concern identified in Tennessee's State Hazard Mitigation Plan and through this program, organizations can be proactive in their approach to risk management and response planning to these hazards.

For more information about the T.E.S.T. Program, please visit TEMA's website.

###

About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA's mission is to coordinate preparedness, response, and
recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.