Kriisiohjes

Kriisiohjes is a term used to describe structured exercises and drills designed to test, train, and improve crisis management and emergency response capabilities. It is employed by governments, regional authorities, critical service providers, and organizations that need to prepare for complex disruptive events.

The purpose of kriisiohjes is to rehearse decision making, command and control, communication, and resource coordination across multiple agencies and sectors. Exercises are scenario-driven and can simulate natural disasters, technological failures, public health emergencies, or security incidents. They help uncover gaps in plans, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen interoperability among responders, public authorities, private sector partners, and civil society.

Typical formats of kriisiohjes include tabletop exercises, command post exercises, functional exercises, and full-scale or live simulations. Tabletop exercises are discussion-based, focusing on decision-making processes without field deployment. Command post exercises test coordination at a simulated incident command post. Functional exercises concentrate on specific functions or capabilities, while full-scale exercises involve real-time operations and participation from field personnel and equipment. All formats usually end with an after-action review to identify lessons learned and develop improvement plans.

Implementation of kriisiohjes is often aligned with national or regional crisis management frameworks, incident command structures, and risk assessments. They contribute to building resilience by validating procedures, enhancing information sharing, and fostering collaboration among diverse actors. Regularly conducted exercises support continuous improvement of preparedness, response capacity, and recovery planning.