After Action Report

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise

Saturday, April 28, 2012

After Action Report

FINAL

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 1 Saturday, April 28,2012 After Action Report

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 2 Saturday, April 28,2012 After Action Report

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to the following individuals whose enthusiasm and dedication to emergency preparedness helped to make the CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise a successful event:

Oakland City Council Members & Staff Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Jean Quan, Mayor Jim Duarte, N6SSB, Oakland-Piedmont ARES Jane Brunner, District 1 Coordinator Patricia Kernighan, District 2 David Otey, Net Control Nancy Nadel, District 3 Leonard Ash Gilbert Gin Libby Schaaf, District 4 Per Brashers Cali James Ignacio De La Fuente, District 5 Mike Calvillo Peter Strauss Desley Brooks, District 6 Cass Carrigan Tom Taselaar Larry Reid, District 7 Michael Curry Rebecca Kaplan, At Large Voiceover Artist for Exercise Scenario Oakland Fire Department Sara Wynne Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed Deputy Chief Mark Hoffmann Exercise Coaches Deputy Chief James Williams Bob Anderson Jana Rollo-Fennick Battalion Chief Lisa Baker Ed Ono Steve Steinhour Donna Hom, Chief Financial Officer Grace Chiu

Oakland Fire Department, Volunteer Victims Office of Emergency Services (OES) Jaya Blakely Jesus Ramirez Renee Domingo, OES Manager Scott Braley Niviece Robinson Cathey Eide, Assistant OES Manager Sherry Flores Gil Sillins Kaity Johnson, CORE Program Coordinator Danny Hollenbaugh Laurel Sillins Jim Leeper Sandra Hollenbaugh Lisa Sweeney Jeff Morelli Phoenix Jackson Sandra Ue Suzie Nasol Stuart Jaffe Suzanne Waligore Matthew Lonergan Montera Middle School Principal Russom Mesfun 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team Robert Anderson Khin Chin Disaster Makeup (“Moulage”) Artists Jim Duarte Glen Epperson Adele Louise Bertaud Della Mundy Kaity Johnson James Leeper Jeff Morelli Della Mundy Gary Plotner Don Reed Lorraine Rosenblatt Cathi Sweeney Sara Wynne

The CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team would like to extend a special thank you to all of the neighborhood groups, their leaders and the spontaneous volunteers who contributed to the success of the 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise. A complete list of participating CORE Groups and their Leaders can be found in Appendix B.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………A

Section I – Exercise Planning A. Pre-Exercise Activities ...... 8 B. Exercise Purpose and Objectives ...... 8

Section II – Artificialities & Assumptions ...... 9

Section III – Volunteer Victims ...... 10

Section IV – Exercise Scenario A. Scenario and Pre-Scripted Updates ...... 11

Section V – Exercise Evaluation A. CORE Group Feedback – Debriefing ...... 13 B. CORE Group Feedback – Summary ...... 18

Section VI – Follow-Up A. Conclusion ...... 27 B. CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team Feedback ...... 27 C. Corrective Action Plan ...... 28

APPENDICES A. Glossary ...... 29 B. Participating CORE Groups and Their Leaders ...... 30 C. Map of Participating CORE Groups ...... 31 D. Media Release ...... 32

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2012 CORE City Wide Exercise Exec Summary

The purpose of the exercise was to provide an opportunity for CORE-trained volunteers to practice disaster response activities and enhance the skills associated with operating a neighborhood level disaster response organization.

The April 28, 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise generated excitement and interest among Oakland residents around the subject of emergency preparedness. Thirty-seven neighborhood groups representing over 500 community members from all over the city participated in this exercise, including City staff, graduates of the CORE training program, individuals with lesser amounts of CORE training, and spontaneous volunteers with no CORE training at all. This exercise demonstrated that many members of the Oakland community take their safety seriously and are putting forth considerable effort to be prepared for emergencies.

The scenario was based on a 6.3 earthquake on the northern section of the Hayward Fault. Injects included telephone service being out in many areas and multiple power outages reported. The scenario also included rain throughout the morning and a flash flood advisory for Alameda County.

Goals for the 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise were focused on engaging participants to practice setting up neighborhood emergency response facilities and deploying all six types of response teams. The emphasis this year was on improving the neighborhood organization’s ability to function and effectively communicate in an emergency.

Primary Exercise objectives:

1. Set up neighborhood facilities including the Neighborhood Incident Command Center, Disaster First Aid Station, Neighborhood Assembly Area and/or Child Care Station.

2. Demonstrate effective communication with response teams in the field.

3. Deploy all six types of response teams.

PLANNING FEEDBACK

The CORE City-Wide Exercise Planning team (CCEPT) provided the following feed-back for future exercises:

PRO:

 Dinner meetings  Teamwork – all members contributed  March Workshop – Hands On focus was very successful  Size of Committee – many hands make light work, but not so many that management and meetings are difficult  Number of meetings was appropriate for the tasks to be accomplished

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NEEDS IMPROVEMENT:

 Dissemination of press releases, etc. was not timely, process was slow  Break out sections of the Exercise Plan to reduce total size The CCEPT member have also recommended that future Exercise Plans should focus entirely on objectives, use free standing instructional sections or a supplemental document for some of the background and support material.

For Example:

 “How to Run an Exercise” on the web site to assist newer groups  Use graphics such as flow charts and illustrations of ideal set-up in the Exercise Plan  Hold 2 workshops, one month apart on topics important to the exercise objectives. Ideas to Increase participation include:

 Target Neighborhood Watch groups again  Supply a CORE coach to groups early in the planning process  Use Nextdoor.com to notify more neighborhoods that may not know about CORE

EXERCISE PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

Immediately after each group concluded their neighborhood exercises, they were asked to conduct a short “hotwash” or feedback session. Participants shared comments about what went well, what needs improvement and lessons learned, along with recommendations for CORE groups and the CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team for next year. Forms designed to capture information from the hotwashes were submitted to the Office of Emergency Services.

Highlights of the participant feedback include:

 Consideration for a night-time exercise  Focus on Disaster First Aid; more victims and injects to keep the teams busy  Continue to Focus on Communications  Create a neighborhood/CORE List-Server  Possible date change discussed  Neighbor Incident Command Center (NICC) structure and documentation needs improvement  Hold 2 workshops leading up the exercise on topics important to meeting the objectives. The workshops would be targeting refresher or advance skills. Emphasis on hands on activities. The annual exercises continue to be unique opportunities for neighborhood groups to demonstrate and build on their preparedness and response skills. It is the hope of the Office of Emergency Services that CORE training levels will remain high, and that participation in future annual exercises will continue to grow.

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SECTION I – EXERCISE PLANNING

A. Pre-Exercise Activities

The exercise planning process began in September 2011 with recruitment of the CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team (CCEPT), including CORE Advisory Task Force volunteers, Oakland OES staff, representatives of City of Berkeley CERT and Northern Alameda County ARES/RACES. The CCEPT met seven times between September 2011 and March 2012 to plan details of the exercise, including identifying the exercise objectives, scenario, participant pools, recruiting strategies, trainings, meetings, and other exercise materials.

The 2012 Citywide Exercise Plan was published and shared with participating CORE Groups in January 2012. In creating the Citywide Exercise Plan, the CCEPT designed a single document to assist CORE Groups with their neighborhood’s planning efforts, provide a comprehensive exercise guidance document and help ensure favorable outcomes for all involved. The plan included suggested activities to meet each objective keyed to the neighborhood group’s proficiency level. To enhance the participants’ ability to meet the objectives, the CCEPT created a Google map of participating neighborhoods and fire stations plus tips targeting specific objectives and for first time participants. The official Exercise Plan, recruitment flyers, registration form, neighborhood incident signs, sample forms, a tabletop exercise as well as volunteer and team tracking cards were posted on the CORE website in the months leading up to the Exercise.

The Oakland Office of Emergency Services staff and volunteer CORE instructors delivered a very busy series of CORE classes in the months preceding the Citywide Exercise. A special Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop was held on March 24, 2012 to help prepare participants for the big event in April. In addition to refreshing and enhancing CORE volunteers’ skills in areas such as Light Search and Rescue and Neighborhood Emergency Communications, the workshop provided volunteers with training in setting up neighborhood facilities, organizing a Neighborhood Incident Command Center, and reception and team deployment. The workshop provided training directly related to the objectives of the exercise. Members of the CCEPT reviewed the Exercise Plan and answered questions from those in attendance. An audio disc of the Exercise Scenario was also made available to participants for pick up at the March 24 Exercise Skills workshop.

The Citywide Exercise was advertised in mass emails, flyer handouts and on the official CORE website, http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/OFD/s/CORE/index.htm. A new YouTube video featuring Oakland Mayor Jean Quan was produced in the spring advertising the upcoming exercise. The event was promoted in public and neighborhood-level CORE classes and at advanced training workshops. Participants were recruited from CORE, City of Oakland staff, Oakland’s Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Council, the Oakland Radio Communication Association (ORCA), and the City of Berkeley CERT program.

OES staff worked with the OFD Operations Division to coordinate the use of selected Oakland fire stations by Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) radio operators during the exercise and coordinating planned visits from several fire engine companies to participating neighborhoods.

An official text message was sent to participants registered with the City of Oakland to test the City’s emergency notification system.

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B. Exercise Purpose, Goal and Objectives

The purpose of the exercise is to provide an opportunity for CORE-trained volunteers to practice disaster response activities and enhance the skills associated with operating a neighborhood level disaster response organization.

The goal of the 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise is for participants to practice setting up neighborhood emergency response facilities and deploying all six types of response teams. The emphasis this year is on improving the neighborhood organization’s ability to function in an emergency. Communication is a basic component of the organization’s effectiveness and is thus included as a separately identified objective.

The exercise objective for ALL participating individuals is to: 1. Receive an official text notification from the City of Oakland/CORE.

The exercise objectives for participating neighborhood groups are to: 2. Set up neighborhood facilities including the Neighborhood Incident Command Center, Disaster First Aid Station, Neighborhood Assembly Area and/or Child Care Station. 3. Demonstrate effective communication with response teams in the field. 4. Deploy all six types of response teams.

Each neighborhood group will determine which of the exercise objectives they will attempt. They may want to expand the exercise to include additional response strategies, or scale back and practice fewer objectives. Tabletop exercises may be the best option for smaller or less skilled groups and the exercise plan includes support for this activity. Advanced groups are given the additional challenge of setting up more realistic situations for hands on Light Search and Rescue practice.

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SECTION II – ARTIFICIALITIES AND ASSUMPTIONS

1. 911 will not be used as part of the exercise.

2. The Oakland Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will not be staffed during the exercise. However, following an actual large earthquake or other disaster event, the EOC will be activated as quickly as possible.

3. This is a functional exercise, not a full-scale exercise, thus participating groups will need to be self-sufficient and any emergency response from outside agencies will be simulated. No emergency response agencies or hospitals are participating in the exercise. Please simulate any transfer of injured persons. Mutual aid will not be requested – only simulated.

4. "STOP EXERCISE" is the phrase to be used to stop the exercise by the Safety Officer, should a real emergency or safety hazard occur.

5. Exercise time is real time from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

6. Weather for the scenario is rain, heavy at times.

7. A full scenario and pre-scripted scenario updates are located in Appendix A. The scenario is presented as simulated messages received over AM/FM radio. At 9:00 a.m. the Neighborhood Incident Commander will read the scenario aloud. She/he will read the scenario updates at the times indicated to guide the flow of the exercise. Alternately, the group may use the Exercise Scenario CD which provides the same information as the written scenario and updates in audio format. Each track corresponds to a scenario part. The CD will be available at the Citywide Exercise Skills Workshop on March 24th 2012.

8. All information provided by the Neighborhood Incident Commander, Safety Officer or Coach is to be considered valid by exercise participants.

9. Neighborhood Incident Signs, available for download from the CORE web site www.oaklandcore.org, will be posted throughout participating neighborhoods to simulate individual incidents requiring emergency response during the course of the exercise.

10. Neighborhood groups may practice relaying critical information to the Emergency Operations Center by bringing concise, written messages to ham radio operators at selected fire stations. A sample communications form can be found in Appendix J. The specific fire stations that will be used in this exercise will be announced in April 2012.

11. Participating groups should focus on the primary exercise objectives outlined in this Exercise Plan. Groups are encouraged to modify their objectives as necessary based on their size, level of experience and geographic location. Suggested modifications are outlined in Appendix B.

12. Oakland firefighters will attempt to visit groups that are registered for the exercise, to the extent possible given available staff and calls for emergency services on the morning of the exercise. When they arrive, the Neighborhood Incident Commander will be expected to provide the firefighters with a summary of critical issues in the neighborhood with which professional assistance is needed, simulating firefighters’ arrival on scene in a real disaster.

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SECTION III – VOLUNTEER VICTIMS

The Office of Emergency Services provided Volunteer Victims to CORE groups who wanted the challenge and opportunity to practice Disaster First Aid skills like triage and treatment on live “victims”. Volunteer Victims acted out the roles of people injured during the simulated earthquake.

Volunteers reported to Montera Middle School early on the morning of the exercise to get into moulage (disaster make-up) and read over their victim scenario to get into character. Two victim scenarios were developed for the volunteers, which included specific injuries discussed in CORE training. Half of the victims had lacerations or burns on their arms, and the other half had bloody noses and broken arms.

Disaster makeup services were provided by CORE volunteers Adele Louise Bertaud and Della Mundy.

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SECTION IV – EXERCISE SCENARIO AND PROMPTS

A. Scenario and Pre-scripted Updates

Pre-exercise prompt: The Neighborhood Incident Commander should read the scenario aloud at 9:00 a.m. Read the scenario updates at the specific times indicated to guide the flow of the exercise. Alternately, the group may play the corresponding audio tracks from the Exercise Scenario CD at the times specified. The audio tracks provide the same information as the written scenario and updates. Prompts are provided as informational reminders to clarify actions in response to the scenario. The prompts need not be read aloud and are not included on the CD.

9:00am Scenario: A 6.3 earthquake occurred a few minutes ago on the northern section of the Hayward Fault. Damage reports are just beginning to come in. We will update you as information becomes available. CalTrans advises everyone to stay off of freeways or overpasses until they can be inspected. Telephone service is out in many areas but cell phones seem to be unaffected. PG&E is working to identify the extent of power outages. The National Weather Service confirms wet weather will continue throughout the morning. A flash flood advisory for Alameda County has been issued. USGS experts stress the possibility of strong aftershocks and remind everyone to be ready to Drop, Cover and Hold On whenever an aftershock occurs. Prompt: 1. First person on scene is the Neighborhood Incident Commander. 2. Set up the Neighborhood Incident Command Center (NICC). 3. Assign volunteers to help as they arrive. 4. Establish a Communications team within the NICC to monitor commercial radio and control contact with deployed teams. 5. Conduct Damage Assessment of the neighborhood as soon as possible. 6. While damage assessment occurs, assess skills of remaining volunteers for assignment to other teams. 7. As Damage Assessment information comes into the NICC, prioritize response and dispatch Hazard Reduction, Light Search & Rescue, Sheltering & Special Needs, and Disaster First Aid teams as needed. 8. Set up other neighborhood facilities as needed: Disaster First Aid Station, Neighborhood Assembly Area, and/or Child Care Station.

9:30 am Scenario: Reports of damage continue to come in from the entire Bay Area. Oakland appears to have significant areas of damage. Aftershocks have driven many people outdoors because they fear buildings are unsafe. Groups of people are gathering in neighborhoods and parks. The Highway Patrol has stopped traffic at all bridge entrances. BART remains closed but trains in the Trans- Bay Tube were safely moved to the West Oakland station. Widespread power and phone outages are making it difficult to determine how extensive the damage is. The continued rain is raising fears of flooding in low lying areas and near creeks and streams. As we reported earlier, a flash flood advisory for Alameda County has been issued. Prompt: 1. Rain makes rescue efforts more difficult. Do your teams have rain gear? Is your NICC a dry spot on a very wet day? CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 11 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

2. How do road closures, flash flooding, etc. affect access to your neighborhood? Will emergency vehicles be able to reach you? Map alternate access routes, if necessary. 3. Your pre-planned evacuation routes may have been blocked due to closure of major roads and the potential of flash flooding. Determine alternate routes in case an evacuation is necessary.

10:00am Scenario: Earthquake!! Drop, Cover and Hold On!! A massive earthquake has just occurred on the Hayward Fault. The preliminary USGS estimate is 6.5. Emergency services all across the Bay Area are overwhelmed. Rain and smoke are making helicopter surveillance difficult. Fires can be seen burning in many East Bay locations. Hillsides are saturated raising landslide and mudslide fears. Our coverage continues as new information becomes available Prompt: 1. Blow a whistle or use other means to cue the participants to Drop, Cover & Hold in place. 2. Verify that your teams are OK. 3. Reassess neighborhood damage following the aftershock. If possible, reassign some teams already in the field

10:30am Scenario: The Oakland Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services is asking all CORE groups to report their status if they have not yet done so. Water and sewer lines in many parts of the East Bay are damaged. East Bay MUD issued an urgent warning that drinking water may be contaminated. If you are in the East Bay, do not flush your toilet! Do not drink tap water. Use bottled water or boil water for 3 minutes to purify it for drinking. In the Piedmont Pines area there are reports of damage and landslides. There is widespread minor flooding in Chinatown. Storm drains are unable to keep up with the rain and water is reported to be overflowing onto sidewalks. We will keep you updated as reports come in. Prompt: 1. The Neighborhood Incident Commander should write a concise neighborhood status message to send to the EOC. Use the CORE to EOC Report form for this message. The Communications Team may send the message via designated ham radio operators at one of the fire station announced before the exercise. 2. Contaminated water and broken sewer lines are a challenge. Determine how to provide alternate sanitary arrangements for those in the NICC and other neighborhood facilities.

11:00am Scenario: We continue our focus on this incredible story following two large earthquakes on the Hayward Fault. Weather conditions are hindering the rescue effort. It is now raining heavily in many parts of the East Bay. Residents are seeking shelter but with two big temblors and hundreds of smaller aftershocks, many refuse to enter buildings and are left outside in the rain. The Red Cross said it hopes to begin shelter operations in a few lightly damaged areas as soon as buildings can be inspected. No shelters are available at this time. Prompt: 1. Determine whether your Neighborhood Assembly Area is adequate for a severe weather event. As the number of neighbors at the Assembly Area grows, will your facility be expandable and provide weather protection?

11:30am - End of exercise. Gather for a neighborhood hotwash until 12:00pm. CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 12 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

SECTION V – EXERCISE EVALUATION

Immediately after each group concluded their neighborhood exercises, they were asked to conduct a short “hotwash”, or feedback session. Participants shared comments about what went well, what needs improvement and lessons learned, along with recommendations for CORE groups and the CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team for next year. Forms designed to capture information from the hotwashes were submitted to the Office of Emergency Services.

Later that day CORE Group Leaders and representatives from many of the 37 total participating groups gathered at Montera Middle School from 1:30pm to 3:00pm to share their experiences at the official Exercise Debriefing.

After welcoming remarks by Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker, Office of Emergency Services Director Renee Domingo and CORE Emergency Planning Coordinator Kaity Johnson, the Debriefing commenced with feedback provided by ARES representative David Otey, who talked about the ham radio network used to convey information from neighborhood CORE Groups to the City’s Emergency Operations Center. ARES amateur radio operators at fire stations 4, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23 and 24 received and relayed messages from CORE groups.

A. CORE Group Feedback - Debriefing

Representatives from the participating groups were divided into two discussion groups to share their most significant lessons learned, general comments and recommendations for the 2012 CORE Citywide Exercise. Discussion groups were facilitated by two members of the CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team, Cathi Sweeney and Jim Leeper.

Group 1, facilitated by Cathi Sweeney

 How did things go? Did objectives help with planning the event? o Of those who had signed up, 3 people did not get the text message; about 12 did receive it. o Set up & deployment – the objectives helped as did the March workshop (about one third attended the workshop)

 The rain o Rain was a good change this year, raised lots of issues they had not considered. o 5 tried it, using popup tents o How do DA teams take notes in the rain? Need to find a way to handle wet paper. o Used radios to call in all info, however failed to check batteries and equipment – found some not working properly – radios too old? o Good idea in preparing for the exercise to check expiration dates on batteries and test them, check inventory for expiration dates, on an annual or semi-annual basis. o Do radios need to be kept dry? Most think they are water resistant. o Keep a detailed inventory list with expiration dates clearly marked to make it easier to replace items past their useful dates.

 Neighborhood Assembly Area o Worked well – gave people a chance to talk away from the NICC

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o 1 group set up an official Neighborhood Assembly Area – had coffee. People in the assembly area talked about that they didn’t have a “Care Center” for children and emotional adults. o Another group instituted a “comfort specialist” – make sure kids are okay, food, water, juice for responders/participants o Included a ‘comfort specialist’ to see that people there had water, seats, etc. o No ‘room’ in the neighborhood o Did not know what that was – had not read the entire Exercise Plan

 Role of the Safety Officer o Must be out with all teams to monitor the entire situation; perhaps have more than one person o One team said they would prefer to have two Safety Officers (one in the field, and one at the NICC) – most important for cribbing and SAR o Their observations were helpful

 Did You Use the Suggested Activities in the Exercise Plan? o Most groups created their own activities o Too busy doing the regular stuff to add more o Two groups did LSAR activities – cribbing and lifts & carries – worked very well o Cribbing – they used a basketball hoop which had a heavy base – used cribbing material from someone’s backyard o Medical transport – used a body board and carried a 30 lb. sack of garden soil back to NICC

 Moulage o More realistic, worthwhile, victims help volunteers test themselves o Many first aid teams complained of ‘no business’ and got bored – these groups did not have victims assigned to them and did not supply their own o Necessary to recruit more victims o Trouble getting their own victims to the central moulage site and back to the neighborhood o Can’t provide their own because that takes away people from the neighborhood who would participate in the exercise o Train groups to do their own moulage (good reaction to this!) see sign-up list

 Reception Area o Intake forms – the new format introduced at the March workshop was popular . taped them to cardboard, . clipped them to milk cartons . allowed people to fill out card with where they want to work (their strengths) . modified form and added the “time assigned” and “time returned” to better track individuals/teams . made into a half sheet (rather than quarter sheet) to read it more easily . printed it with a laser printer, rather than ink jet, because laser print is better for rain . changed the colors . used traditional registration forms to check in and the cards for assignments . made cards into sign-in sheet style with columns o New Reception Area Ideas

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. Swan’s Market Cohousing used cardboard with the possible teams already marked (DA1, DA2, SAR1, DFA, etc.) and clipped or taped the volunteer sheets on the board to track who was on each team . Swan’s Market Cohousing used a second cardboard team list and let volunteers put their sheets under the team they want to help with (no guarantee they will get this team, but let’s NIC know what people think they are good at) . Have forms preprinted with names and all they have to do is mark ‘checked in’, not fill out the form. . Have a large laminated map so people can mark their own homes in green if they are OK – faster to report where nothing needs to be done.

 Incident and Team Tracking o Maps – expanding ways to use the neighborhood map . Used a large map and moved post-its around as teams changed locations – worked well to track teams . Need to laminate maps so they can be written on and kept up to date . Post-its with team names on the neighborhood map was very useful to get a clear idea of where the teams were located o New Team Deployment Ideas . Maps for teams – break neighborhood into quadrants/zones – assign teams to zones: Teams should have a smaller neighborhood map or sub-area map so they can report where they actually are. This map would also show utilities and whatever else the neighborhood knows like name of residents and phone numbers. . Use color coded name tags to identify who is on which type of team. MASH used bright colors in a badge holder that could be seen from a distance so teams could tell what the other teams in their area were doing; easy to swap when reassigned to another type of team. o New Idea for Tracking Actions Completed . Scribe used color coded post-its on the map – one color with the situation needing action at that location, another color that goes on top when action is complete (the combination shows what was the original problem and that it has been finished). Also helped see where to redirect teams in the field – which team is closest?

 Discussed being there (at NICC) for days o Need good lighting, things to do, more supplies o Need ideas to keep everyone occupied during slow periods o Sanitation Ideas . Toilet seat for 5 gallon bucket – should have these in the group inventory . Use the type of potty chair provided for sick or disabled persons – has a bucket included

 What went wrong or could be improved? o Cheat sheets would be helpful – how to use 2 way radios (Hiller 4 has one they can provide) o First ½ hr. communications were sloppy getting into the mindset – typically to be expected o March workshop section on radios was not as helpful as could be. Too advanced. o Some had problems with reception, did not know how to set up a relay

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o First Aid people also need a map of the area so they know where to go when NICC tells them to assist another team. o This raised the question: Should the injured be brought to the DFA Station by SAR or does DFA team go out and bring people back? No agreement on this, but a very spirited discussion – most had not thought about it. Generally they thought it was not a good use of the expertise in the DFA Station to send them out unless it was a significant medical problem beyond the capability of the LSAR Team (spinal or crush injury for example). Suggested using radio to let medical expert ‘consult’ directly with the LSAR Team in the field.

 Ideas for next year’s exercise o A number of groups favored a night time exercise (as an assumption, not actual time frame) o If doing exercise at night – use reflective tape on gas meters

 Ideas to increase neighborhood participation o Hiller 4 put questions in people’s mailboxes - they have to come to the NICC on Saturday for the answer. Used bright paper with a different color and question each day. Questions such as ‘How do you know you need to turn off your gas?’, ‘Where are the neighborhood supplies and how do you access them?’ o Refrigerator magnets with 5 “things to do” after a disaster

Group 2, facilitated by Jim Leeper

 What did the group think of the planning document? o Excellent o Great resource o Included everything we needed

 Who received the official text notification from the City of Oakland? o Half of those present said they received the text message (all who had requested it) o The participants were reminded how to sign up for notifications on the CORE website.

 What were the objectives for today and what was learned? o All set up and deployed response teams, some including Sheltering and Special Needs. o Many used the new team tracking card system to speed check-in and presort volunteers into teams. . The most successful method reported was tacking a pack of cards onto the Status Board to track team location, deployment, and redeployment. . One group liked the card system and felt very comfortable using it. Many other groups said they liked the idea but it would take some time getting used to. . Some groups said it was confusing, and others reported that they would use it after they modify it to better fit their needs. o Several groups reported issues with their status boards being difficult to organize . The Status Board was most useful when tacked on the wall for all arriving back from the field to see. . A group preferring a laminated board recognized how important not erasing an earlier priority is when reprioritizing incidents. . A suggestion was made to have two status board scribes. The second scribe would focus on a map tracking where people have been sent.

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. Some larger groups used a second scribe and were able to deploy 2 teams in the time allotted for the exercise. o Some groups were interested in having classes in First Aid, Communication etc. o One group is having everyone work in different areas. o Change of leadership led to breakdown in communication o Communications experiences ranged across the groups . One group reported that communications were excellent . Another stated that they utilized ham radio operators in their neighborhood . Another group reported that one of their teams set out with a radio but left it off so they used a runner instead . Another where Disaster 1st Aid could not reach the NICC because of a channel change to another that relayed in neighborhood status but received an unintelligible response from an unknown source. One group had handheld radios with outdated batteries. o High-rise building participation was described by two groups . A group in an 11-story building with a low level of exercise participation used a condensed tabletop exercise to model the Neighborhood Incident Command Center and field team interaction, neighborhood resource maps and potential evacuation routes, and emergency supplies relevant to each team as props. . Another group in a 5-story building had teams of 2 search 2 floors each and combined duties, including cribbing.

 What were the positive things that happened with your group? o The radio exercise was very good o One group is having everyone work in different areas. o One group had a good mix of new and older CORE grads o Two groups set up a child care and special needs area o About 75% used radios to communicate with the people who went out for Disaster Assessment o Did well with communicating

 Ideas for next year o Next year’s Oakland Citywide Exercise could be staged in darkness with the advisory that many stay in place to avoid injuries. o Communications can again be the focus.

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B. CORE Group Feedback - Summary

Following is a summary of the feedback by participants on the official Exercise Hotwash form. Italics indicate numerous reports on this topic.

1. What Worked Well

 Neighborhood Organization o Designated a site for a neighborhood facility o Doing assessment of utility shut-off access o Neighborhood leadership o Neighbors provided their own equipment (radios, etc.) o Our basic neighborhood set-up o Our organization o Our planning o Participants were enthusiastic o Participants were flexible - did multiple team duties as needed o People doing something different than they did last year o Pre-exercise neighborhood meetings o Pre-exercise neighborhood training o Pre-exercise practice o Refreshments o Signage for neighborhood facilities o Site big enough for all functions to do their jobs o Supplies adequate & organized o Supplies: Canopies (at NICC, reception, DFA, Assembly Area) o Supplies: DFA in a wheeled bin o Supplies: Use clipboards for reception to not crowd table o Updated family roster

 Community Building o Discussed scenario, incidents, issues & tips o Discussion of neighborhood preparedness needs o Increased awareness o People worked well together o Remind neighbors to prepare

 Participation o Participation: Good neighborhood participation o Participation: Good neighborhood participation by CORE trained people o Participation: Skilled neighbors participated (RN, etc.) o Publicized exercise via door to door contact o Publicized exercise via email & flyers o Publicized exercise via posters in neighborhood o Publicized: Reminder to neighbors every day for 5 days (question of the day - come to exercise for answers) o Three people resolved to continue CORE training

 Neighborhood Incident Command Center Operations o All problems identified were resolved o Damage assessment o Deployed all 6 CORE teams CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 18 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o NICC operations o NICC operations: change of command worked well o NICC set-up suggested at March workshop o NICC supplies in a box on wheels o NICC: Noting status of every house on NICC map o Reception area/sign-in o Reception: New card reception system o Reception: Realized someone had left without checking out o Reception: waiting area with coffee & chairs o Reception: welcoming person o Saved lots of people & dogs o Status board o Status board - color coding priority or status o Team dispatch: Maps by quadrant of neighborhood for team use o Team dispatch: Team bags ready to go o Team tags - nice! o Team tracking system - sticky notes on map (used different colors) o Team tracking system - used post-its on status board o Team tracking: New team chart (they created a nice adaptation) o Team tracking: Tracking teams & problems/resolutions o Utility map

 Team Operations o DFA Station o DFA Station - use ThermaRest as splint o DFA: Nobody died at First Aid o Neighborhood Child Care Station o Search teams

 Communications o Amateur radio link from neighborhood to EOC o Communication by cell phone to NICC o Radio communication o Radio: radio log worked well

 Mentoring and Outside Support o Combining with another neighborhood group o CORE coach o Moulage very realistic o OFD input during visit - support, suggestions, ideas for improvement o OFD visit (especially Fire Chief) o Volunteer victims

 Training Activities o Cribbing practice - used bags of top soil o Go Bag demonstration o LSAR in an empty house o Training: Timing & effectiveness of training (workshop?)

 CORE Planning and Materials

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 19 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o Being able to customize the exercise or scenario to our neighborhood o CORE Exercise Plan o CORE training schedule hand-out for untrained neighbors o Exercise well put together o Hand-out on preparedness for untrained neighbors o Incident signs/incident ideas o Incident signs: Made wire frames from coat hangers for the incident signs o Rain as an exercise assumption o The relevancy of the exercise to our local neighborhood o Weather is perfect

2. What Needs Improvement

 Neighborhood Organization o Don't put command center address on incident signs o House numbers not visible o Learn how to open garage door when power is out o Learn how to work with multiple unit bldgs. o More neighbors to get FRS radios o Need a neighborhood plan for children & emotional adults o Need to try a full exercise o Plan to deal with houses with dogs o Supplies: Need more canopies or tarps o Supplies: Need more neighborhood supplies o Supplies: Need neighborhood sanitation supplies o Supplies: Need to provide food & water for all participants o Supplies: Tools for basic response o Utility shut-offs - locate and map

 Community Building o More neighborhood meetings (quarterly)

 Participation o Fewer neighbors participated this year compared to 2011 o Improve neighborhood participation/involvement o Needed more people to do this exercise o Neighborhood hams to act as liaison with EOC

 Neighborhood Incident Command Center Operations o Forms - need more copies o NICC operations: Assistant IC should be separated physically from the small garage space we use for NICC o NICC operations: change of command took about 20 minutes, was somewhat disorganized (from a group that reported this worked well) o NICC operations: Chaos in NICC during first 15 minutes o NICC operations: distracted by people coming in & out o NICC operations: Have a back-up commander assigned o NICC operations: Improve neighborhood roster o NICC operations: improve scribe forms and info flow o NICC operations: Need to rotate positions during the exercise o NICC operations: Need unit list for multi-unit building CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 20 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o NICC operations: Roles a bit blurry - folks did some of each o None of the CORE trained neighbors was willing to be NIC o Place incident signs further apart to allow more time for command center to take notes & respond o Publicity: set up neighborhood list-serve o Reception: Bottle neck (did not use new card system) o Reception: Card system got disorganized o Reception: Used two cards per person, did not work o Status board - slow to record information o Status board - updating incomplete o Status board - use darker pens o Status board - white board is not good - not a permanent record o Status board should show just a summary o Supplies: NICC - clipboards o Supplies: NICC - name tags o Supplies: NICC - need an enlarged / better neighborhood map o Supplies: NICC - need an enlarged neighborhood status board o Supplies: NICC - Need better lighting - lantern (battery powered) & hanging flashlights o Supplies: NICC - need radio, bulletin board for non-incident info, first aid kit, box cutter, rags, garbage bags, sling materials, 5 gal buckets o Supplies: 'Rite in the Rain' paper o Team tracking (did not use new card system) o Team tracking system - lost track of teams o Team tracking system - need to streamline o Team tracking system - needs a dedicated person o Victim could not find NICC to check in

 Team Operations o DFA failed to check in (or had no radio) o Supplies: 8.5 x 11" maps for teams o Supplies: Broken gas shut off tool o Supplies: Child Care - shelter/canopy, toy bin o Supplies: DFA needs neighborhood map o Team dispatch - Asst. NICC briefings too long o Team dispatch: Team forgot their equipment o Team dispatch: team needs map for utility shut off o Team dispatch: Team not sure what they were supposed to do o Team dispatch: Teams needed better briefing, instructions or equipment o Team focused on assignment, missed a victim o Team tags - nice! o Victim not correctly diagnosed or treated o Victim not handled promptly / left untreated

 Communications o Place incident signs further apart to allow more time for command center to take notes & respond o Radio: Interference from another neighborhood o Radio: Need simple stickers on radios with use instructions o Radio: Need to practice changing channels o Radios: channel not confirmed at dispatch o Radios: Communication Team needs to do periodic roll calls CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 21 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o Radios: did not function / used incorrectly o Radios: Learn GMRS and ham radio communication o Radios: Learn to use FRS radios o Radios: Local radio relay network o Radios: Location of Communication Team table o Radios: Need more practice o Radios: need more radios o Radios: Radio person needs a scribe (cannot listen & write at the same time)

 Mentoring and Outside Support o 800# with recording with damage, status, etc. o Did not get moulaged victims o No City text messages received

 Training Activities o Pre-exercise workshop: too much lecture, did not include discussion o Training: CORE trained people need to keep skills up to date o Training: Do a table-top o Training: More neighborhood practice o Training: More neighbors need CORE training o Training: More neighbors participating in monthly radio net

 CORE Planning and Materials o Activities for those with mobility issues o Forms- reduced amount of writing required o Forms: Comm log lines are too small o Forms: Comm log needs columns for 'follow-up' and 'done' o Forms: too much paperwork o NICC operations as taught by CORE o NICC operations: Flow of information within the NICC o Publicity of exercise o Publicity: Distribute more CORE class flyers o Publicity: More publicity of Citywide Drill o Scenario CD did not work properly o Status board - need space for incidents without a residential address o Status board - need space to track DFA station reports

3. Lessons Learned

 Neighborhood Organization o Check equipment more often o Everyone has something to offer o Need more frequent neighborhood drills o Need more neighbors to know where supplies & planned facility locations are. o Need more signage o Need to accommodate people without email o Need to check that gas & water valves can be turned o NICC location - don't block access to residences o No good place in the neighborhood for shelter/special needs o Our resources are limited. Small group size, some member have physical limitations. o Pre-exercise: Prepare for exercise ahead of time to make best use of exercise time CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 22 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o Publicity: Everyone needs to help publicize the exercise o Supplies: Began listing care center supplies needed o Supplies: Need fresh batteries o Supplies: Need to inventory supplies o Supplies: Store at both ends of the neighborhood o Tents are tough to set up o Update neighborhood map/utility map o Update neighborhood roster o Update roster to show neighbors' skills o We are just beginners o We have a great neighborhood

 Community Building o Establish a phone coordinator o Potluck brought out neighbors who did not participate in the exercise - chance to make contact

 Participation o Do better neighbor outreach o Don't get discouraged; do the exercise every year o Participation: We have done well in the past but it did not work this year with half as many people and half the enthusiasm. o Participation: Need more neighbors to participate

 Neighborhood Incident Command Center Operations o Need macro approach rather than micro approach (focus on doing the most good for the most people). o NICC operations: Have a separate person running the exercise who does not have a role in the exercise itself o NICC operations: Name on volunteer sign-in card needs to be bigger o NICC operations: Need a scribe when turnout exceeds 10 o NICC operations: Need site map for multi-unit building o NICC operations: Rotate positions so people learn different roles o NICC operations: separate reception from NICC o NICC operations: Work on improving volunteer flow o Post incident signs further away from NICC o Reception: Did not try the new card system o Status board: Use CORE standard format o Team dispatch: Give teams a cheat sheet rather than detailed briefing by assistant IC o Team dispatch: Runners need a time to report o Team dispatch: Split teams (i.e. Either side of the street) o Team dispatch: Teams need clear instructions before leaving NICC

 Team Operations o DFA: Would like a stretcher o Important to reassure trapped person that help is on the way o May need to turn off all utilities when gas is shut off o Team communication when moving a victim o Victim logging and reporting to NICC

 Communications CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 23 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

o Radios: can hear other groups, need alternate method to communicate o Radios: clarity of details o Radios: get everyone on the same channel o Radios: not everyone can talk at once o Radios: practice!

 Mentoring and Outside Support o OFD visit: what OFD will want to know (street access issues, # needing help, severity of situations, equipment needed by neighborhood)

 Training Activities o Hands on skills practice is valuable o Training: Need more CORE training (finish more classes) o Training: Need more CORE training (train more neighbors) o Training: Need more specific skills training

 CORE Planning and Materials o NICC operations: Paperwork in the NICC needs improvement o NICC structure needs improvement

4. Recommendations for Next Year’s CORE Citywide Exercise

 Neighborhood Organization o Check locations of utility shut-offs o Continue to work to get neighbors CORE trained o Supplies: Determine neighborhood supplies needed o Supplies: Get a tarp as cover for DFA Station o NICC operations: need more space o Training: Organize neighborhood CORE I & II training. o Set up a CORE presentation session for our neighbors o Supplies: need more first aid kits o Training: small neighborhood sessions on specific topics (cribbing, refresher on each team's function, radio use, etc.) o Update damage assessment form with check boxes on every line o Update neighborhood roster o Use backpacks o Use binders o Use half of the incident signs

 Community Building o Connect with nearby neighborhoods o Provide incentives to attend neighborhood gatherings making them practical as well as social (such as assistance with Go Pack for example)

 Participation o Get more neighbors involved o Need ideas to motivate participation / continue momentum o Need to raise the exercise's importance to at least the level of Saturday T-ball. Coordinate with children's leagues? o Use electronic network to promote participation

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 24 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

 Neighborhood Incident Command Center Operations o NICC operations: Create & use a response team deployment tracking sheet/table (did not use new card system) o NICC operations: Need a utility map o Team dispatch: Provide team binders o Reassess damage after an aftershock o Reception: Add a column on individual card for time person returns from each team deployment o Use name tags

 Team Operations o DFA - lay people on newspaper or cardboard as insulation o DFA needs to check-in regularly

 Communications o Improve communications

 Mentoring and Outside Support o City text not received

 Training Activities o Training: First Aid, CPR

 CORE Planning and Materials o Cliff's Notes list of what to do if an incident occurs to hang in NICC o Conduct an exercise in the dark o Continue the superb support by the City of Oakland o Date of exercise: last Saturday of April o Forms: clarify information flow o Have exercises for beginners o Publicity: Mayor's web site should have right date on it o Publicity: CORE needs more stories placed on KPFA, KQED, KOFY, etc. o Publicity: Neighborhood list-serve o Publicity: Neighborhood newsletters o Publicity: Partner with a high profile business like Clorox, Kaiser, or Pandora to generate awareness o Put sticker on front door saying "I'm OK". o Scenarios for those with less training (i.e., injuries without LSAR involvement) o Update incidents electronically o Victim transport: who does this? LSAR moved out of house, how to get to DFA?

5. Other Comments & Ideas

 Neighborhood Organization o Hold a neighborhood CORE meeting once a quarter o Put Yahoo group address on Facebook page o Supplies: covered clipboards o Supplies: Our neighborhood will explore assembling a bigger set of supplies o Training: Hold mini-training / workshop in morning before exercise (damage assessment, etc.) o Training: Practice damage assessment ahead of time CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 25 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

 Community Building o Piggyback discussion on neighborhood safety with all of the burglaries and thefts.

 Neighborhood Incident Command Center Operations o NICC operations: Post-its worked well o NICC operations: Tough to keep mental geography in mind after 2nd earthquake

 Mentoring and Outside Support o Firefighters were very helpful o Volunteer victims were wonderful

 Training Activities o Training: More radio training o Training: Need CPR updates

 CORE Planning and Materials o CORE manuals: Need to shorten & streamline o Forms: Need to shorten & streamline o Keep up the good work CORE & OES! o Need more CORE Neighborhood Emergency Supply Packs

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 26 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

SECTION VI – FOLLOW-UP

A. Conclusion

The annual exercises continue to be unique opportunities for neighborhood groups to demonstrate and build on their preparedness and response skills. It is the hope of the Office of Emergency Services that CORE training levels will remain high, and that participation in future annual exercises will continue to grow.

B. CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team Feedback

The CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team met for a final time on May 3, 2012 to review feedback received from groups and discuss recommendations for next year’s planning team.

1. What Worked Well

2. What Needs Improvement

 Continued lack of recognition of what CORE is  Dissemination of press releases, etc. was not timely, process was slow  Break out sections of the Exercise Plan to reduce total size  Exercise Plan to focus entirely on objectives, use free standing instructional sections or a supplemental document for some of the background and support material  “How to Run an Exercise” on the web site to assist newer groups  Use graphics such as flow charts and illustrations of ideal set-up in the Exercise Plan  Hold 2 workshops, one month apart on topics important to the exercise objectives.  Increase participation. Some ideas: o Target Neighborhood Watch groups again o Supply a CORE coach to groups early in the planning process o Use Nextdoor.com to notify more neighborhoods that may not know about CORE

3. Suggestions for Next Year

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 Several groups suggested an exercise at night. Either as an assumption or perhaps as an optional time frame for the exercise.  Disaster First Aid needs to be highlighted again and Communication is a continuing issue for many groups  Hold targeted training, such as a repeat of last year’s Radio Games, during the summer to continue interest in CORE events throughout the year.  Possible date change discussed. CCEPT agreed the last weekend of April continues to be the best option. Other spring or fall dates had many more conflicts and/or weather challenges. Continuity of the date seen as an asset. Polling participating group leaders recommended.  Suggested timeline for next year’s CCEPT: o 9 months ahead of exercise: Contact groups who participated in the preceding 2 years to ask what CORE can do to enhance their experience and improve their chances of participating in 2013 o 8 months ahead of exercise: Begin CCEPT meetings o 4 months ahead of exercise: Publish Exercise Plan including scheduled workshops and other events or training in support of the exercise. o 2 months and 1 month ahead of exercise: Hold 2 workshops leading up the exercise on topics important to meeting the objectives. The workshops would be targeting refresher or advance skills. Emphasis on hands on activities.

C. Corrective Action Plan

Based on feedback and suggestions from exercise participants, the CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team has identified a Follow-Up Corrective Action Plan to help address what needs improvement.

Action Item Description Whom Timeline Oakland Fire Invite recent Group Leaders’ Solicit Group Leader Department, let by suggestions about how CORE feedback by hosting an CORE Coordinator Summer 2012 can enhance their experience appreciation dinner and CORE Advisory and better support their activities Task Force

Following identification of the Provide training 2013 Citywide Exercise CORE staff and opportunities tailored to Objectives, offer training to CORE Advisory Task Spring 2013 the 2013 Citywide support successful achievement Force Exercise Objectives by individuals and groups of all skill levels Having a separate guide about Create a Neighborhood running a neighborhood exercise CORE Advisory Task Exercise Guide in lieu will decrease the length of the Force with oversight Spring 2013 of Detailed Exercise Plan the CCEPT is required to by OES/CORE staff Plan in years to come write and that participants are expected to read.

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 28 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

APPENDICES

A. Glossary of Terms

ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service – A nationwide part of the Amateur Radio Relay League, ARES consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. ARES members can help in widespread disasters and can operate before and after government declared disaster times.

CCEPT CORE Citywide Exercise Planning Team

CERT Community Emergency Response Team

CORE Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies

DFA Disaster First Aid

EOC Emergency Operations Center - A facility dedicated for coordinating citywide emergency response activities.

FRS Family Radio Service – A low power FM handheld walkie-talkie that uses 14 dedicated channels and up to 38 “privacy codes”

GMRS General Mobile Radio Service – A higher power FM handheld walkie-talkie with a wider geographical range for transmission that uses 15 channels, 7 of which are shared with FRS radios and have up to 38 “privacy codes” The FCC requires purchase of a license to use the GMRS radio channels.

NICC Neighborhood Incident Command Center

NIC Neighborhood Incident Commander

OES Office of Emergency Services

OFD Oakland Fire Department

ORCA Oakland Radio Communication Association – ORCA is Oakland’s amateur radio club originally formed to provide supplemental communication during emergencies. ORCA member interests include new technology, member training, special projects, equipment maintenance and exercises.

RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service – RACES is a radio communication service, conducted by volunteer licensed amateurs, designed to provide emergency communications to local or state civil-preparedness agencies. RACES operation is authorized by emergency management officials only, and this operation is strictly limited to official civil-preparedness activity in the event of an emergency-communications situation. RACES is administered by local, county and state emergency management agencies, and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

SV or SUV Spontaneous Volunteers or Spontaneous Untrained Volunteers

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B. Participating CORE Groups and Their Group Leaders

Group Name Leader(s) 1755 Broadway Kristin Long 4100 Block of Shafter Dan Littman, Martha Friedberg 7 Streets Neighborhood Group Scott Zirger 81 Glen Avenue Gaylord Moore Benevides / El Centro Karen Sharkey Burlington Street Sol Melendres CABS MON Cathy Dalton CALMAR Avenue Association Greg Bero Chabot CORE Susan Savage Chinatown CORE Team Warren Fong Damuth Street Neighborhood Watch Marion Mills Eltston Avenue CORE Team Joanne Connelly Fairview Park Neighbors Anna Barnard FANERT Linda Kolar Fernwood Community Club Regine Goth-Goldstein Harbord Lane Marr Robin Nasatir Hiller Highlands Four Association Paulette Langguth Holyrood Neighborhood Group James Leeper La Salle Neighbors Frank Bergamaschi Laguna-Hearst-Madeline Neighbors Bill Gavelis LaMasNA Linda Meyer, Mike Sherwood Lower King Estates Group Jil Finnegan, Tamara Thompson MASH Jerry Wong Merriewood Mob Susan Pate MON Castle Park Way Bruno Fraeyman Moongate Skyline Group Dana Anderson Oakview Drive Denise Lombard One Kelton Court HOA Della Mundy, Adele Louise Bertaud, Sheri Ayelsworth Picardy Drive Neighborhood Leighton Linton Swans Market Cohousing Bonnie Fergusson Temescal NCEE CORE Joan Marie Wood Templar Place / Harboard Drive Jerry Pierson Thomas Avenue Lisa Gibson, Sigrid Duesberg Thornhill Court Irregulars Bob Ruggiero Top of Broadway Terrace Peter Strauss Whittle Avenue / Forest Hill Avenue Paul Barale, Joan Warren Earthquake Preparedness Group York/Weldon Group David Smith, Dante Rodriguez

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C. Map of Participating Neighborhood Groups

2011 CORE Citywide Exercise Groups

Neighborhoods registered with Oakland OES for the CORE Citywide Exercise on April 28, 2012. Green tacks are Oakland CORE Groups; red lines mark neighborhood borders. Blue bubble is Montera Middle School (debrief site).

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D. Media Release

News from Oakland Fire Department

For Immediate Release Contact: Renee Domingo April 27, 2012 Emergency Services Manager (510) 755-5843 [email protected]

Simulated Quake Shakes Oakland: Dozens of Neighborhoods Groups Practice Ability to Respond

Oakland, CA — A simulated 6.3 earthquake on the Hayward fault will provide nearly 40 neighborhoods throughout Oakland with an opportunity to practice their skills in responding to a major earthquake or other significant disaster.

Tomorrow: Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 9 am to 12 pm, hundreds of volunteers and dozens of organized neighborhood groups will participate in the seventh annual CORE Citywide Emergency Response Exercise, organized by the Oakland Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services.

This event is an opportunity for Oakland residents to gather with neighbors to practice their skills in responding to a major disaster. The goal of this year’s exercise is for participating groups to practice setting up neighborhood facilities and deploying response teams in order to improve their ability to function in an emergency.

Dozens of unaffiliated volunteers will participate as exercise coaches, spontaneous volunteers or volunteer victims in the host neighborhoods. Other participants will include local ham radio operators, Oakland City staff and Firefighters.

CORE is a free emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness and response training program for individuals, neighborhood groups and community-based organizations in Oakland. CORE teaches self-reliance skills and helps neighborhoods establish response teams to take care of the neighborhood until professional emergency personnel arrive. A major disaster will overwhelm first responders, leaving many community members on their own for the first 72 hours or longer after the emergency. Since its inception in 1990, the CORE program has provided free, community-based training to more than 20,000 residents. Oakland residents who are interested in signing up for free CORE training or who would like help forming CORE groups in their own neighborhoods can contact CORE at (510) 238-6351 or [email protected].

PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITY: Volunteer “victims” injured by the simulated earthquake and its aftermath will give neighborhood groups an opportunity to practice their Disaster First Aid skills. For more information about the locations of moulaged victims for photo opportunities, contact Renee Domingo at (510) 755-5843.

CORE Citywide Emergency Response Functional Exercise Page 32 Saturday, April 28, 2012 After Action Report

Below is a sample list of locations of Oakland neighborhood groups participating in the CORE Citywide Exercise on Saturday, April 28 with volunteer victims:

Group Name Group Address

Chabot CORE 5932 Chabot Road, Oakland, CA 94618

Laguna-Hearst-Madeline Neighbors 3800 Laguna Ave., Oakland, CA 94602

Lower King Estates Group 7940 Winthrope St., Oakland, CA 94605

Whittle Ave/Forest Hill Ave. Earthquake 4058 Forest Hill Ave., Oakland, CA 94602 Preparedness Group

# # #

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