Destination Disaster: EOC

Ascenttra’s Destination Disaster: EOC game is a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance the preparedness and efficiency of emergency operations center (EOC) staff. By immersing participants in realistic, discussion-based exercises, this game focuses on critical processes like situational awareness, information flow, decision-making, and resource management. Destination Disaster: EOC is an all-hazards exercise that is scenario agnostic to allow EOCs to analyze procedures across a variety of scenario threats while ensuring meaningful and impactful training and evaluation for key capabilities. 

Key Features of Destination Disater: EOC

1. Situational Awareness and Information Flow

The EOC game emphasizes the importance of maintaining situational awareness and efficient information flow. Participants are tasked with gathering, analyzing, and sharing essential information, and developing situational reporting ensuring that decision-makers have the data they need to act effectively.

2. Policy Decision-Making and Coordination

Through engaging scenarios, participants navigate complex decision-making processes, balancing competing priorities and ensuring alignment with organizational policies. The game fosters collaboration among EOC staff, enhancing their ability to manage crises cohesively.

3. Single-Point Ordering and Resource Allocation

Resource management is a cornerstone of effective EOC operations. The game challenges participants to coordinate single-point ordering and optimize resource allocation, replicating real-world pressures and complexities.

4. Public Information and Messaging

Participants practice crafting and disseminating public information and messaging products, ensuring accurate and timely communication with stakeholders and the public during emergencies. This feature is critical for maintaining trust and managing expectations.

5. Scenario-Agnostic Gameplay for Comprehensive Preparedness

The EOC game can be tailored to specific hazards or played in a scenario-agnostic mode. This flexibility allows teams to test their capabilities across a wide spectrum of potential disasters, ensuring robust preparedness.

6. Integration with Responder and Healthcare Games

When combined with the Responder or Healthcare games, the EOC game creates a seamless simulation of real-world interactions. Participants experience the dynamic interplay between on-scene responders, healthcare facilities, and EOC operations, providing a holistic view of emergency management.

How the EOC Game Works

Participants in the EOC game engage in a series of scenario injects designed to replicate real-world challenges. Each inject prompts participants to:

• Gather and analyze essential elements of information (EEIs).

• Develop and implement policy decisions.

• Coordinate resource requests and allocations.

• Produce public messaging and situational updates.

Facilitators can adjust scenarios in real-time to introduce unexpected challenges, encouraging adaptability and critical thinking.

Tools and Deliverables

The EOC game includes a comprehensive set of tools to support meaningful exercises and actionable outcomes:

• Boards and Maps: Designed to reflect EOC’s information flow.

• Resource Cards: Representing assets such as personnel, equipment, and facilities.

• Scenario Inject Cards: Tailored to your organization’s specific risks and hazards.

• Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEGs): Aligned with your standard operating procedures to ensure detailed After-Action Reports.

• Facilitator Instructions and Templates: Including PowerPoint scenario presentations and immersive Ascenttra News Network videos.

Benefits of the EOC Game

1. Enhances Situational Awareness

By simulating real-world information flow, the EOC game helps participants develop and refine their situational awareness, ensuring accurate and timely decision-making.

2. Builds Stronger Teams

The game fosters collaboration and communication among EOC staff, strengthening teamwork and ensuring effective crisis management.

3. Validates Policies and Procedures

Participants can test their plans against realistic scenarios, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. The game’s customization ensures relevance to your organization.

4. Encourages Adaptive Thinking

Through dynamic and interactive gameplay, the EOC game challenges participants to think critically and adapt to evolving situations, preparing them for real-world crises.

5. Provides Actionable Insights

With tools for After-Action Reports and Improvement Plans, the game delivers valuable insights to guide continuous improvement in emergency preparedness.

Play Requirements

Space: The main play board is 56” wide by 25” high.

Players: The EOC game is not limited in the number of players, however, we recommend no more than 12 EOC representatives, with any playing policy or senior officials at a different table. 

Knowledge: Players should have knowledge of their agency's resources and policies, plans, and procedures and EOC responsibilities.

Equipment: Table for the boards and computer that can show the presentation and play the news videos.