Annual Tsunami Playbook Communications Exercise (Statewide)

March 29, 2023, 1 - 3 pm, Exercise at All Along California's Coast

Event Location:
All Along California's Coast

Contact Person:
Yvette LaDuke, Cal OES, yvette.laduke@caloes.ca.gov

Summary:
Annual exercise organized and run by Cal OES, CA Geol. Survey, and NWS-Weather Forecast Offices; participants will be emergency response officials from counties, cities, harbors, ports, and other governmental agencies who are on the TEDL.


Full Description:
On March 29, 2023 at 1300 hours, the California Tsunami Program will conduct the annual Tsunami Response Playbook Communications Exercise.
<br />
<br />
Exercise Scenario: Northern Chile Convergent Plate Margin M9.0 Earthquake
 <br />
<br />
The Playbook Communications Exercise simulates the online tsunami meeting held between the State and the officials on the TEDL within hours of a tsunami Advisory- or Warning-level alert from the National Tsunami Warning Center for a tsunami from a distant source (+3-4 hours travel time to California). <b>The purpose of the exercise is to practice real-time event communications and information exchange regarding the tsunami Playbook recommendations provided by the State to local officials during a tsunami event.</b>
<br />
<br />

The following is a brief summary of the activities and expectations of participants:

<ol>
<li>The State will provide an overview of tsunami scenario and alert level, potential tsunami impacts, expected tidal conditions, and time of tsunami arrival in California
</li><li>
NWS-WFO representatives will provide a brief overview of the weather conditions for their respective sections of coastline.
</li><li>
The State will discuss the validity of the FASTER/Playbook recommendations being provided to the officials on the TEDL.
</li><li>
The State will ask officials from each county:
</li><li><ul><li>If and how the Playbook recommendations from the State were received.
</li><li>
To “communicate” or provide the tsunami evacuation Playbook Phase numbers (1-2-3-Max) and the maritime response Playbook Plan letters (A-B-C-D-E) which was recommended for their jurisdiction(s).
</li><li>
If the jurisdiction(s) knows what evacuation or response actions, they plan to take.
</li><li>
If they have any questions about the scenario or Playbook recommendations.
</li></ul></li></ol>
<br />
<br />
Tsunami staff will be available to answer questions before and during the exercise to which playbook phase we would recommend to each county.
<br />
<br />
The Playbook Communications Exercise will be followed by a “hotwash” which is optional for participants.


Please contact Yvette.laduke@caloes.ca.gov, or Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@conservation.ca.gov if you have any questions.