What kind of scenarios does a tabletop exercise focus on?

Tabletop exercises primarily concentrate on discussion-based scenarios aimed at evaluating decision-making processes. They are designed to simulate emergency situations in a controlled environment where participants can discuss their responses, assumptions, and strategies without the need for any physical execution of an emergency response. This type of exercise allows participants, such as emergency management personnel and decision-makers, to engage in collaborative problem-solving and to understand the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders during an incident.

In contrast, real-time evacuation drills involve the actual practice of evacuation procedures and are not discussion-based. Technical equipment operation training focuses on the proper usage of specific tools or systems, rather than discussing strategies or decision-making. Physical simulations of a disaster would involve hands-on scenarios that mimic the dynamics of a real event, which is different from the analytical approach of a tabletop exercise. Thus, the essence of tabletop exercises lies in their emphasis on discussion and evaluation of responses in a safe, non-physical format.