Exercise Overview

The purpose of the Operation Overwhelming Outbreak Tabletop Exercise was to assess the capabilities of the Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) community in Florida's Duval County during an activation of their plan due to an influenza pandemic striking the community.

As the influenza pandemic strikes the region members of the NEPP came together as part of a unified team of knowledgeable citizens to support community response and recovery activities.

During the exercise NEPP members:

• Established a concept of operations that spanned the direction and coordination of the team from initial monitoring of the pandemic through response and recovery.

• Established operational goals and objectives for the preparedness, response and recovery phases of the community.

• Established strategies and assumptions for a comprehensive integrated response to the pandemic.

The Operation Overwhelming Outbreak Tabletop Exercise was facilitated via an internet based application entitled the ON-Line eXercise (ONX) System.

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

Exercise Scenario

An outbreak of unusually severe respiratory illness is identified in a small village in southern China. Over the next 45 to 60 days the outbreak become a devastating Phase 6 Influenza Pandemic effecting communities throughout the United States.

Exercise Conclusion

This exercise is an example of the kind of exercises that comprise the nationwide Caduceus Shield Exercise Initiative. This initiative provides meaningful exercise opportunities for America's health system.