Exercise Overview

This exercise will serve as an opportunity for public health agencies along with public health partners to assess their preparedness and response capabilities associated with a food-related human health incident occurring within the region.

This exercise is designed to involve public health agencies including epidemiology teams in critically evaluating activities, communications and interactions between partners with roles in responding to a foodborne illness outbreak.

During this exercise participants will work together as a unified team of professionals:

• To respond to an urgent and complex food contamination incident.
• To map the process and flow of a foodborne disease investigation.

Caduceus Shield Exercise Initiative

The Gastro Gambit - An Environmental Health Functional Exercise is part of the national Caduceus Shield Exercise Initiative.

This exercise will be facilitated via an internet based application entitled the ON-Line eXercise (ONX) System which allows management and staff to participate in the exercise from their normal base of operation.

Information on the ONX System can be found at ONXSystem.com.

A discussion and information forum for all who are interested in, support or participate in the Caduceus Shield Exercise Initiative.

Join the Caduceus Shield Exercise Initiative LinkedIn group today.

Testimonials

Public health agencies have been participating in ONX System exercises since March 2010. View what public health agencies are saying about using the ONX System.

Project Public Health Ready

All Caduceus Shield exercises are designed to meet the Project Public Health Ready goals and objectives.

Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program

Caduceus Shield utilizes the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) system for exercise design, facilitation and evaluation.

HSEEP compliant Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEG) are utilized to assess the various planning / preparedness, response and recovery capabilities and capacity of public health agencies participating in all Caduceus Shield exercises.

After Action Report / Improvement Plan - Inject Response Report

An HSEEP compliant After Action Report / Improvement Plan (AAR / IP) is generated at the conclusion of all Caduceus Shield exercises. This report is based on an exercise specific Exercise Evaluation Guide and the observations and recommendations of an on-site evaluator. Each public health agency will need to provide an internal evaluator for the exercise.

In addition all responses to injects and descriptions of actions taken by exercise participants during a Caduceus Shield exercise are captured within the ONX System and exported to generate an Inject Response Report at the conclusion of the exercise.

Exercise Scenario

Students and their families become ill following their participation in Lincoln Elementary School's Annual End of School Awards Banquet held at a local restaurant.

Exercise Participation Information