NIAMEY - LESSONS LEARNED FROM SEPTEMBER 2008

UNCLAS NIAMEY 001110 SIPDIS DIR FSINFATC FOR FSI/LMS/CMT DEPT FOR S/ES-O, DS/DSS/OP, CA/OCS/ACS, AF/EX, DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC NG AEMR AMGT CASC ML UV LI SUBJECT: NIAMEY - LESSONS LEARNED FROM SEPTEMBER 2008 CRISIS MANAGEMENT EXERCISE REF: A. NIAMEY 950 ¶B. FSINFATC 2468 ¶1. (U) Embassy Niamey participated in a two-day Crisis Management Exercise (CME) from September 8 - 9, 2008. The exercise on September 8 centered around a PowerPoint presentation designed to inform the Locally Engaged Staff (LES) about how an Embassy might go about resolving or responding to a crisis. The exercise on September 9 focused more on the Emergency Action Committee (EAC),but also allowed for all cleared Americans who normally would not sit in on the EAC, as well as senior LES. The CME was well received and attended, with the majority of agencies at Post attending each day's exercise. ¶2. (U) Embassy Niamey previously submitted a lessons learned cable, ref A. For ease of reading, ref A is included as para 3. Post submits the following information as requested in ref B: ¶A. Format of the CME: The table-top format was effective, with three hours being ample time to work through the scenario. For additional information, please refer to ref A. ¶B. Selection of scenarios: The September 9 exercise was particularly useful as it presented potential events that could occur in Niger. Refer to ref A for additional information. ¶C. The CME trainer interaction was timely and useful. ¶D. Refer to ref A for lessons learned and best practices. ¶E. Refer to ref A for recommended changes in Niamey's EAP. ¶F. Refer to ref A for additional information. ¶G. Refer to ref A for additional information. ¶3. (U) Ref A in its entirety: BEGIN TEXT ¶1. (U) Embassy Niamey participated in a two-day Crisis Management Exercise (CME) from September 8 - 9, 2008. The exercise on September 8 centered around a PowerPoint presentation designed to inform the Locally Engaged Staff (LES) about how an Embassy might go about resolving or responding to a crisis. The exercise on September 9 focused more on the Emergency Action Committee (EAC),but also allowed for all cleared Americans who normally would not sit in on the EAC, as well as senior LES. The CME was well received and attended, with the majority of agencies at Post attending each day's exercise. ¶2. (U) The September 9 exercise was particularly useful as it presented potential events that could occur in Niger. As the exercise progressed, several key points were identified that would be useful in the event of a crisis, i.e., lessons learned: ¶A. First, Post should have a map of Niamey sufficiently large to place identification markers on Post-occupied residences for both USDH/PCS and key LES so they can be easily found in the event of a crisis. ¶B. Second, Post should develop, deploy, and regularly test a phone cascade list. ¶C. Third, in light of the recent 85% turnover of Americans at Post, Post should hold an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) orientation designed to inform Americans of the EAP, how it works, why it works, and the importance of their assistance in updating the EAP. ¶D. Finally, personnel, to include their adult members of household, at Post often possess useful skills outside their cones or specific position descriptions that may prove beneficial in the event of an emergency. For example, plumbing or electrical experience. In an effort to identify these skills and call on them, if needed, Post has drafted and instituted a Skills Bank worksheet. This worksheet has been included into Human Resources check-in packets. Post drafted and provided CME trainer Douglas Treat with a copy of the draft after he commented that the Department did not possess any similar documents, but if it had one, it could be utilized at any Embassy. ¶3. (U) Post commends both Douglas Treat and Ruth Branson on a job well done. END TEXT ¶4. (U) The point of contact for this cable is RSO Jeff McGallicher or ARSO Brian Caza, both of whom may be reached 24 hours through Marine Post One at 227-72-26-61, 62, or 63. ALLEN