Table Top, Field Exercises & Special Training
In order to ensure that Penn effectively collaborates with outside law enforcement and emergency response personnel, table top and field training exercises are regularly conducted throughout the year. This training involves the presentation of mock-scenarios that could affect the University community. Exercises include scenarios based on severe weather emergencies, chemical, biological and radiological emergencies, industrial accidents, terrorist events, and active shooter incidents.
Table Top and Field Training Exercises begin with an initial situation report, which puts the exercise into context. The situation report provides a back-story of key events leading up to the mock-scenario. Situation updates are used throughout the exercise to move the scenario forward and encourage flexibility in mitigating various stages of the emergency.
The goal of conducting exercises is to assess University plans, policies, and procedures, and to determine if any gaps exist that should be addressed. Conducting exercises is pivotal in demonstrating the capacity and readiness of emergency preparedness at the University.
DPS Training Highlighted:
Table Top Exercises
In 2007 and 2008 Public Safety facilitated and/or participated in 19 Table Top Exercises.
On September 20, 2007, the University City Public Safety Group hosted a Crisis Communications and Response Actions Table Top Exercise and Panel discussion.
The event was facilitated by Vice President Maureen S. Rush and panelists from Penn, Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Philadelphia Fire & Police Department (PFD) and Sunoco Inc. The attendees were from various schools and divisions within Penn, the private sector, other educational institutions and governmental agencies.
This exercise was pivotal in demonstrating the capacity and readiness of emergency preparedness at the University.
Active Shooter Training
All 116 Police personnel participate in “Active-Shooter Training” annually. This field-training exercise provides all participants with a realistic scenario in which UPPD personnel could apply their previous experience and annual active-shooter training to a potentially deadly situation occurring on campus. The simulation also allows all departments within the Division of Public Safety to exercise specific components of the University’s Crisis Management Plan.
On July 16, 2008, UCEPST representatives participated in a day long Active Shooter Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Philadelphia University. The exercise was created as an opportunity for Philadelphia University graduate students to have a one-on-one directed learning experience with police and fire personnel in command positions. The day began with a lecture on school violence by John Giduck, followed by a several hour long FTX. Attendees included Philadelphia University representatives, PPD, PFD, OEM, Chester County SWAT (role players) and numerous other organizations who participated as role players, observers and evaluators.
Following the completion of the UPPD Active Shooter Refresher Training in August 2008, on December 30, 2008, two (2) separate Work Place Violence/Active Shooter Drills were conducted at Van Pelt – Dietrich Library. The drills were facilitated by the UCEPST co-Chairs and included the participation of UPPD officers, supervisors and command personnel. Allied Barton staff members, Penn staff members, and UCD affiliated agency staff members (Drexel, USP, UPHS and UCD) also participated as role players and observers in this successful exercise of the UPPD’s rapid response capabilities.
Radiological Training and Homeland Security
On January 2nd and again on March 10, 2008, members of DPS (FES and the UPPD) participated in a “Radiological Operations Training Session” conducted by the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit. The training was observed by representatives of the Federal Department of Homeland Security. A total of 16 members of the UPPD attended classroom sessions and participated in a hands-on simulation using radiological detection equipment to locate pre-positioned, small amounts of radiological material at Franklin Field.
