Role Guide
Exercise Controllers
Run the exercise safely, on time, and within scope.
Your Channels
67EMER (EOC exercise control)67COM
Start & end with “Exercise Traffic Only.”
Lead Controller
Mark Watkins, OCEMD (Lead Controller)
All Controllers
- Controllers are responsible for a specific portion of exercise activity within their site and/or function.
- Ensure the exercise is done according to established parameters, safety guidelines, and the allotted timeframe/scope.
- You may modify activities as necessary for safety.
- Injects come only from Controllers, as vocal instructions — no ad hoc messages.
- Controllers may also be embedded as primary players due to the “testing” scope of the activity.
- Attend the 11:00 AM agency briefing at the Osceola EOC.
Controller-Specific Guides
My session
Lead ControllerOverall exercise control, safety, and evaluation.
Before the exercise
- Conduct the 11:00 AM agency briefing at the Osceola EOC.
During the exercise
- Verify all initial critical actions are complete (20-minute mark).
- Add challenges and ask questions as needed along the way.
- Evaluate critical actions at the 1-hour mark, including full Incident Command.
- Call off, delay, or alter the exercise within parameters as needed.
- If a REAL EMERGENCY occurs, manage the stop and announce the all-clear before activity resumes.
After the exercise
- Lead the on-site hot wash after each run.
Site Controller (Shooter Simulator)Prepare the site, act as the simulated shooter, and manage the site safely and effectively.
Before the exercise
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Attend the exercise briefing.
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Check in at Church of the Nazarene; prepare site (access & exercise signs).
- 12:30 – 12:45 PM: While the Victim Controller checks in volunteers, familiarize yourself with the site for exercise play.
- 12:45 PM: Give the general activity briefing to volunteers — explain you will lightly simulate an active shooter; describe safety and what is expected to happen (entry team, rescue taskforce).
- 1:00 PM: Once the Victim Controller verifies all is in order with volunteers, begin the exercise.
During the exercise
- Act as the simulated shooter in a very light, non-scary manner — vocalize “bang” and direct positioning of patients.
- Ensure easy neutralization by law enforcement — you will be injured (not dead).
- After Scenario 1, the exercise is re-set and re-done for Run #2.
After the exercise
- While the Victim Controller demobilizes victims, thank the site coordinator and remove exercise signs.
- The site must be happy with the experience after we leave.
Victim ControllerManage all Victim Simulators in a safe and effective manner.
Before the exercise
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Attend the exercise briefing.
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Check in at Church of the Nazarene, ready to greet simulators.
- 12:30 – 12:45 PM: Receive & check in volunteer victims — make sure they feel welcome and appreciated. Stage them in a single area for briefing.
- 12:45 PM: Assist the Shooter Simulator with the victim briefing — distribute info sheets, injury shirts and injury cards.
- 1:00 PM: Have simulators ready. Once shooting starts, CALL 9-1-1, state “This is an Exercise,” and simulate the 9-1-1 call.
During the exercise
- Manage victim simulators throughout — approximately 1½ hours of simulation for the 1st run.
- At the midpoint, everything is “reset” and repeated for a 2nd run.
After the exercise
- Make brief exit contact with every victim simulator to ensure they are OK and enjoyed the activity; thank them on behalf of public safety.
- Collect victim injury shirts.
- Assist the Site Controller in picking up all traces of exercise activity.
9-1-1 ControllerManage 911’s participation in a safe, productive and challenging manner — get as much practice in as possible.
Before the exercise
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Review the Exercise Control Plan and understand the activity.
- 12:30 – 12:45 PM: Prepare all materials and radios — remember, this is only a fraction of real-world conditions.
- 12:45 PM: Brief 911 dispatchers on the exercise and prepare (more time than a real incident gives).
- 1:00 PM: Be ready for exercise start.
During the exercise
- The exercise starts with an actual call from the Victim Controller, stating they are part of the exercise, followed by scenario and location.
- Use the 9-1-1 card to notify as many agencies as you reasonably can; advise what resources you are requesting (practice only — no actual requests).
- Field forces use 67P911, 67E911 and 67F911 with “exercise traffic” — reinforce and re-announce as needed, with periodic safety announcements.
- This is a site-isolated exercise and radio traffic has historically been minimal — DO NOT BE SHY ABOUT ASKING FOR UPDATES!
After the exercise
- Participate in the hot wash / provide 911 observations.
Staging ControllerStage participating units, brief them, and coordinate timed dispatch to the scene.
Before the exercise
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Attend the exercise briefing.
- 12:00 – 12:30 PM: Check in at the staging site, ready to greet participants.
- 12:30 – 12:45 PM: Check in units into staged parking spots; gather participants at the briefing area (Building Dept. lawn).
- 12:45 PM: Brief participants and ready them for dispatch.
- 1:00 PM: Participants in vehicles, monitoring their channels for dispatch.
During the exercise
- Release units at least 30 sec – 1 min apart for a base level of realism.
- Approximately 1½ hours of simulation for the 1st run; at the midpoint everything is reset and repeated for Run #2.
After the exercise
- Conduct the post-exercise debrief.
Law / Fire / EMS ControllersEmbedded with your discipline’s group to guide play, answer questions, and observe.
Before the exercise
- Attend the 11:00 AM briefing; be identified to your group at the participant briefing (Law: by uniform AND vocal designation).
During the exercise
- Answer player questions throughout.
- Receive vocalized / simulated actions that can’t be physically observed.
- Watch for safety and modify activity as needed.
After the exercise
- Support the on-site hot wash for your discipline.
Hospital ControllerHospital-side control for EMS exercise notifications and patient coordination.
Before the exercise
- Be ready to receive the EMS exercise notification on 4367MCA.
During the exercise
- Support EMS practice of the dedicated hospital line (67HOSP) and patient relay.
After the exercise
- Provide hospital observations at the hot wash.
Security OverwatchWeapons safety verification.
Before the exercise
- Verify with every participant that NO live firearms/weapons are on site and weapons are secured in vehicles prior to exercise activity.
During the exercise
- Maintain safety overwatch of the exercise area.