Industry research shows that fire, police and other response agencies that regularly conduct pipeline emergency drills and practice exercises are significantly more likely to say that they are prepared to respond to emergencies than agencies that don’t.
Tabletop drills are a quick, effective and low-cost way to practice strategic and tactical decision-making, communication and execution of pipeline emergency response procedures. Drills supplement written, class-based and online training programs and can be included in regular department training meetings.
Listed below are some tips and resources for conducting an effective tabletop drill:
Is the objective to review your agency’s existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)? Is it to identify and work through potential communication challenges between multiple response agencies? Is the goal to insure that needed equipment is in place and personnel are familiar and trained to use the equipment?
Once you’ve determined the goal of the practice exercise, create a realistic scenario that allows you to assign appropriate roles, discuss specific topics and practice protocols. Scenarios can be limited to pipeline emergencies or can incorporate other elements. Sample scenarios are available on Kinder Morgan’s Web site at www.kindermorgan.com/public_awareness/ AdditionalInformation/TrainingMeetings.cfm.
Invite local pipeline company representatives to participate in the scenario. Operators can role-play as the pipeline operator contact and will be a a resource for technical information or questions during and after the drill.
Review department protocols and SOPs prior to the drill. Provide participants with a copy of the scenario. Incorporate visual aids, equipment and gear when possible. Assign appropriate roles for the exercise including someone to oversee and lead the drill. The objectives, the scope of the scenario and the size of your response team will impact the roles you assign.
Ask participants to read the scenario aloud and encourage each team member to react as completely as possible to explain how he/she would respond. The drill leader is encouraged to take detailed notes throughout the exercise and to insert additional information into the scenario as needed to guide the discussion and response actions.
Following the exercise, the tabletop drill leader should encourage participants to engage in discussion about what he/she learned and to voice questions or issues that came up during the exercise. Allow the necessary time for participants to communicate openly regarding their questions and concerns. Based on the discussion and observed response, recommend procedural changes, if needed, and test these changes during a future tabletop exercise or distribute in written training materials.
Kinder Morgan offers free tabletop drill resources including sample scenarios and a leader’s guide to help agencies conduct effective drills. Download tabletop drill resources at www.kindermorgan.com/
public_awareness/AdditionalInformation/TrainingMeetings.cfm.
 Kinder Morgan Tabletop Drill Resources
Schedule a Pipeline Emergency Tabletop Drill (The Responder, 2008 Issue 3)
Download a Sample Tabletop Drill Guide (The Responder, 2008 Issue 3)
Planning & Coordinating a Community Drill Part 3: Using Feedback to Improve Response Capability (The Responder, 2009 Issue 3)
Planning & Coordinating a Community Drill Part 2: Tips for Executing a Successful Drill (The Responder, 2009 Issue 2)
Planning & Coordinating a Community Drill Part 1: Using a Community Drill to Enhance Your Readiness (The Responder, 2009 Issue 1)
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