US embassy cable - 05DHAKA2694

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 002694 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR FSI/LMS/CMT 
ALSO FOR S/ES-O/CMS 
ALSO FOR SA/EX 
ALSO FOR DS/IP/SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC 
SUBJECT: POST'S RESPONSE TO LESSONS LEARNED - CRISIS 
MANAGEMENT EXERCISE 
 
REF: FSINFATC 01708 
 
1.  Post appreciated the opportunity to host a crisis 
management exercise (CME).  Post feels that it learned 
valuable lessons during this exercise and was also able to 
reflect on its own crisis preparedness. Post has also taken 
time to consider the questions posed by the CME team in 
REFTEL and has provided responses to each query. 
 
2.  Post appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback 
regarding the CME. 
 
A. Format of the CME:  What recommendations would you make 
regarding the form and the conduct of the exercise?:  Were 
four hours sufficient to meet your objectives?:  Post feels 
that four hours was a sufficient amount of time allotted for 
the exercise.  During this time Post was able to make 
conscience, concerted decisions and spend an adequate amount 
of time on each crisis module. 
 
B. Selection of scenarios:  Please comment on the scenarios 
played during the exercise.  Which scenarios were most 
valuable?  Should some be dropped?  Were there 
additional/other crises you would like presented?:  Although, 
Post feels that the scenarios chosen were accurate for the 
conditions in Bangladesh, they could have been better 
organized in a manner to build upon each other in a more 
logical procession.  Several times Post took actions that 
were in sync with the crisis at hand but those decisions then 
negated the next crisis scenario and made it functionally 
obsolete.  All the scenarios provided some value, but once 
again the more logical procession of events would have better 
served Post in the learning process.  Post would like to 
suggest a more role-playing basis for the CME.  This process 
would allow for better control of the exercise and the 
training would follow a more logical path.  During this type 
of setting Post would have to make decisions that would drive 
the next stage of the roles and if those decisions were made 
improperly, a more severe situation may arise.  Post feels 
that this process would better serve us in addressing our 
proficiencies and deficiencies in our planning process. 
 
C. How appropriate was the kind and amount of intervention by 
the controller in the exercise?  What about the controller's 
observations for post management from the exercise?:  Post 
feels that the controller's intervention was sufficient.  The 
controllers allowed the EAC to make its own decisions and 
discuss our options without constant direction from the 
controller.  This allowed Post to better assess its own 
preparedness and address any deficiencies.  Overall the 
controllers had nothing but praise for Post's decisions 
during the CME and made only minor suggestions on other 
options Post might have considered.  The controllers left 
stating they were exceptionally pleased with Post's 
preparedness and could tell that Post had done some training 
on its own to ready itself for crises. 
 
D. What would the post do differently in response to a real 
crisis as a result of the training? Post feels that overall 
it would not make any major changes to its current process. 
Post feels that it is adequately prepared and the feedback 
from the CME controllers reflected the same. 
 
E. What lessons did post take from the CME? What best 
practices for crisis management emerged? What changes, if 
any, have you made in your EAP procedures as a result of the 
exercise?  Have you formulated an action plan to deal with 
issues that arose during the CME?:  Post took away several 
lessons from this exercise that will make our process more 
efficient and effective in dealing with different crises.  As 
a result, Post has taken action to include the Warden 
information at the Alternate Command Centers, to make sure 
all employees are aware of and understand why a F-77 form is 
used, and that the CERT/First Responders list is cross 
checked with Post's Drawdown list to assure sufficient 
coverage if needed during minimal staff.  As a result of this 
exercise the EAC is now aware that the President of the local 
government takes over control of the military during a 
caretaker government and that a simple addition of red and 
green flags may be a viable idea for use after a natural 
disaster has occurred.  Currently Post has not addressed any 
changes to its EAP as a result of the exercise.  Post feels 
comfortable with its EAP and feels that the exercise only 
strengthened its belief that we are on the right course of 
action should a need arise to confront a crisis.  Post, also 
doesn,t feel that many issues rose out of the exercise that 
would need us to reassess our EAP.  During the exercise all 
those involved had a clear understanding of their respective 
roles and the EAC was also able to quickly address any 
differences and formulate a plan of action.  Post feels this 
reflects positively on its preparedness to deal with any 
crisis that may arise. 
 
F.  What aspects of stand-alone CMT Overview Training did 
post find useful?  How could it be improved? Would post have 
preferred a lengthier stand-alone session, including an 
exercise more closely resembling the CME that was presented 
for the EAC?  Does post plan any follow-up to the 
fundamentals training, for LES or non-EAC Americans?:  Post 
plans to conduct periodic training for all its employees, as 
it has already done in the past.  Post feels that by 
continuing to build on the crisis management foundation 
already in place we can only become more efficient and 
productive by continuing with in house training exercises. 
Post feels that the time provided for the stand-alone session 
was sufficient and the small exercise given during this 
portion of the training sufficiently addressed the group that 
was assembled. 
 
G. Frequency of CME: We would appreciate your candid comments 
on the optimal frequency of CMEs.  What would be best ) 
maintain current schedule (once every two years) offer more 
frequently (specify, for example, once every one and one-half 
years), or offer less frequently (specify).  Secondly, should 
all posts have an equal opportunity to have CMEs with the 
same frequency or should the level of threat to post guide us 
in scheduling their frequency?:  Post believes that with its 
current training schedule for in-house training a simple 
change to every 18 months would be sufficient.  This would 
allow for coverage during change over of personnel and would 
also provide for an overlap of training for those still at 
post.  Post believes that all Posts should get the 
opportunity to benefit from the CME training but that 
frequency should be based on the threat level and potential 
for a natural disaster at each location. 
 
H. Any other comments on the CME or Crisis Management 
Training offered at FSI would be appreciated. 
 
THOMAS