1. Personnel Conduct
Lesson Four
At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Understand the basics of discussion-based conduct.
• Outline the specific tools needed in discussion-based conduct.
• Describe the basic responsibilities of controllers and evaluators.

2. Personnel Conduct
As you have learned, discussion-based and
operations-based exercises differ in their complexity
and in their planning processes. There are key
differences in how the two types of exercises are
conducted as well.
• Conduct Characteristics differ primarily in:
– Time
– Venue
– Equipment
– Number of participants and participant activities
– Number of planning team members and their activities.

3. Personnel Conduct
Discussion-based conduct involves:
• Site Setup
• A Guided presentation
• Facilitated/moderated discussion
• Wrap-up activities.
The majority of discussion-based “action” comes
from moderated participant discussions, either as a
whole group or in break-out sessions. This helps
keep the discussion on track to meet exercise
objectives.

4. Personnel Conduct
• Discussion-Based Setup:
– This is usually an indoor event.
– In large organizations or multi-agency
collaboration exercises, registration, identification
tags, and refreshments should be present.
– Usually a large conference room with audio/video
equipment and several participant tables.

5. Personnel Conduct
Guided Presentation:
• Is used as a central tool for facilitating/
moderating discussion.
• Usually involves multimedia to include video,
audio, and graphics.
• Frequently used to present scenario narratives.

6. Personnel Conduct
Facilitated/Moderated Discussion:
• Guided discussion aimed at meeting exercise
objectives.
• Style varies by exercise type (i.e., formal vs.
informal).
• Often led by functional subject-matter experts
(high ranking police and fire `personnel).

7. Personnel Conduct
Wrap-Up Activities:
• Distribute and review participant feedback forms.
• Conduct a “hot wash” - A session immediately
after an exercise that allows participants to voice
their concerns and offer potential improvements
while the information is still fresh.
• Host a debrief for planners, facilitators,
controllers, and evaluators to review and provide
feedback on the exercise.

8. Personnel Conduct
Methods to keeping discussions on track.
• Facilitated Discussions:
– Separate, facilitated group discussions.
– Groups identified by functional expertise.
– Facilitated discussion of scenario and objectives.
– Recorder/notes-taker often present.

9. Personnel Conduct
• Moderated Discussions:
– Results of facilitated discussions reported.
– All participants/groups involved in discussion.
– Group discussions summarized by group
spokespersons.
– All participant discussions controlled by lead
moderator.
NOTE: At times a combination of both styles
may be appropriate to use.

10. Personnel Conduct
Discussion-Based Personnel:
• Presenters – Deliver the exercise presentation.
• Facilitators/Moderators – Lead group discussion.
• Controllers – Interpret rules and provide players
with information.
• Evaluators – Observe and collect exercise data.
• Players – Discuss issues based on professional
knowledge.
• Observers/VIPs – View but do not participate in
exercise.