BOGOTA LESSONS LEARNED REQUEST - CRISIS MANAGEMENT EXERCISE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000150 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-O/CMS, DS/IP, CA/OCS/ACS, AND WHA/EX PEACE CORPS FOR SAFETY & SECURITY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC CASC CO SUBJECT: BOGOTA LESSONS LEARNED REQUEST - CRISIS MANAGEMENT EXERCISE (CORRECTED VERSION) REF: 10 DIR FSINFATC 33 ¶1. This is a response to the action request in reftel. Post thanks the trainers from FSI for helping conduct a set of training sessions and a very helpful Crisis Management Exercise (CME) on December 4 and 5, 2010. FSI trainers Kevin Misenheimer and Brenda Pennington were invaluable in aiding post in identifying specific areas where security and response readiness could be improved. ¶2. The CME was conducted by members of the Country Team and their representatives: there were over thirty participants, from fifteen offices in nine USG agencies. Due to the size of Embassy Bogota, it would most likely have been counterproductive to expand the size of the group. ¶3. Post found no need to update any tripwires, as those already in the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) appeared sufficient to trigger action. However, Embassy Bogota will be looking at several issues that arose from working through the exercise. Namely, sections will be responsible for better cross-training of their staff as much as possible to prepare for the possibility of sudden low staffing, particularly in IT-related fields. State Department representatives also saw the usefulness of coming up with a monitoring and check-in system for TDY visitors in country, similar to what the military and other agencies have in place. ¶4. In terms of community-wide issues, Post will contact the schools attended by the children of Mission personnel to determine that their emergency plans are up to date. Post will re-circulate a Management Notice requesting information to help compile a list of all preschools and universities attended by Mission dependents. ¶5. The CME participants highlighted a few areas in which communications procedures could be improved at post. For instance, due to low participation in radio checks, Post will publish another notice to the community, encouraging better involvement. Furthermore, Post will update the number and location of all satellite phones available at post. ¶6. FSI trainers pointed out a few other ways in which Embassy Bogota could ensure its readiness in the event of a disaster. The trainers recommended that staff have better access to and knowledge of the EAP, including the LES' responsibilities. The trainers also recommended more comprehensive drills, including some involving the use of the Alternative Command Centers. Post will develop a more inclusive earthquake specific response plan as well as including crisis response information on post's intranet SharePoint page. Post appreciates the guidance offered by Mr. Misenheimer and Ms. Pennington, and will improve the already high level of interagency cooperation and coordination of the vast array of resources available here. BROWNFIELD NICHOLS