Conducting simulations and drills is the most effective way to evaluate and test disaster preparedness plans; these exercises are used widely by organizations and institutions working in development and in disaster response. Drills and simulations are also excellent tools for training, and for assessing decision making processes, teamwork, and coordination.
The Pan American Health Organization has worked with a group of experts from Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare a set of practical guidelines for planning and carrying out simulations and drills. The Guide describes the basic features of both types of tools, and provides a full complement of sample forms that can be adapted for the planning, execution, and evaluation phases of the exercises.
The Guide is written primarily for organizations and individuals who work in the health and disaster management fields, and will assist them in reviewing and updating emergency preparedness and response procedures.