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