Planning and Exercise Toolkit

Overview

Airports continue to face complex challenges in preparing for and responding to communicable disease threats. Strengthening readiness requires thorough planning, strong partnerships, and regular testing of operational capabilities.

To support these efforts, the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has developed a suite of customizable resources, including an emergency management planning template and exercise toolkit. These tools are designed to help airports build, maintain, and validate effective response capabilities, ensuring coordinated and efficient management of public health emergencies within an airport environment.

Planning

While not mandated by federal aviation regulations, establishing a Communicable Disease Response Plan (CDRP) can significantly enhance multi-agency coordination during public health emergencies. Airports can use the available CDRP template and guidance to collaborate with key stakeholders in developing a tailored plan that supports effective and informed communicable disease response.

• • Communicable Disease Response Plan Template

Exercise Toolkit

The ACRP Exercise Toolkit equips airport stakeholders with customizable resources to support the design, planning, and execution of communicable disease response exercises. Its purpose is to help airports assess and enhance operational readiness. Whether conducting a full-scale exercise or a focused drill, users can tailor the toolkit to meet their specific objectives and capabilities.

Overview: Explains the purpose and structure of the ACRP Exercise Toolkit and its role in strengthening airport readiness for communicable disease response.

• • ACRP Exercise Toolkit Overview

• • Exercise Scoping Meeting Template
  • Exercise Planning Meeting(s) Template

Implementation: Supports the transition from scoping to delivery with detailed plans, facilitation guides, and realistic scenarios for effective execution.

• • Exercise Plan Template
  • Exercise Plan Deck Template
  • Facilitation Guide Template
  • Participant Package Template
  • Master Scenario Events List (MESL) Template
  • Example Scenario #1: “Terminal Alert—Coordinating Response to an Airborne Health Threat”
  • Example Scenario #2: “Terminal Alert—Responding to a Novel Respiratory Virus at a Fixed Base Operator”

Evaluation: Provides tools to assess performance, capture lessons learned, and identify actions to enhance future preparedness.

• • Evaluation Plan
  • Exercise Evaluation Guide