Simulation #1: Single-Agency Preparedness & Response Systems Focus

Overall Aim

The overall aim of ECB Simulation #1 is to build the capacity of mid-level national and international staff to plan and implement a response to emergency situations in accordance with their agency’s systems, policies, and procedures.

Learning Objectives

After participating in ECB Simulation #1, participants should be able to:

1. describe the likely impact of a small or large-scale emergency operation on their country office’s regular programs and staff
2. list the key emergency functions, roles & responsibilities of HQ, regional, country office, and/or sub-offices including lines of authority
3. describe how to request and obtain additional human & material resources as needed for an emergency response
4. describe the process of developing key agency emergency preparedness & response documents, including preparedness plans, contingency plans, sitreps, and emergency budget proposals
5. list the key steps required to launch and/or join an emergency needs assessment
6. list a number of the key constraints on effective management & coordination imposed by an emergency and recommend actions/mechanisms to minimize the impacts of those constraints
7. identify the international standards – e.g. Sphere, codes of conduct, humanitarian principles, etc. - that should apply in preparing and implementing an emergency response
8. apply basic security and stress management procedures to apply when working with emergency teams

Audience

The primary audience of this simulation exercise is the mid-level management – and primarily national - staff of the NGOs participating in the simulations project. These staff generally include:

• program/project personnel involved in managing projects (writing project proposals, managing and administering project budgets and resources, monitoring project progress, etc.) in the participating NGOs’ county/field offices; and
• other middle-management staff involved in conducting the daily operations of those country/field offices

These are the staff likely to be called upon to participate in an emergency response: to conduct rapid assessments, make early response recommendations to senior managers, and administer both short and longer-term emergency operations. They are also staff who often lack depth of emergency experience and could most benefit from a focused simulation exercise given that their regular portfolios focus on development work.