The project envisaged 3 table-top exercises (1 in Armenia, 1 in Geogia and 1 joint TTX for both teams). TTXs were conducted on August 9 -10 in Armenia, on August 14-15 in Georgia and on November 21-22 in Georgia and Armenia respectively. Scenarios for the TTX program focused on large-scale natural disasters (earthquakes) which involved a secondary public health outbreak component. The overall aim was to provide a training opportunity for the management group from both EMTs to practice their leadership skills and decision making that are vital to the successful deployment of an EMT.

Building on participants’ prior experience, the TTXs exercised a number of newly developed team SOPs and offered a chance for management personnel to share and reflect upon how EMT leaders can collectively fulfil their role at each stage of the mission cycle, from team activation through to end of mission. Following completion of the TTX program, graduates were expected to have improved confidence and capability to lead the EMT in response to a large-scale emergency within national borders or one that involves cross-border cooperation.

Specifically, by completing the TTXs, participants were able to: Develop and present proposals for the deployment of their EMT, outlining how the team will achieve its collective objectives at the start of a mission through to the exit planning stages; Identify how practical leadership skills can be applied on key issues relating to team mobilization, insertion into mission, establishing operations, managing internal meetings, reinforcing team code of conduct, interacting with the media and helping to build local response capacity; Enhance Duty of Care capability at the field management level on issues relating to security and team welfare; Apply effective negotiation skills in liaison with a range of key actors including other government departments and/or international response organizations involved in the emergency; Identify further professional development opportunities for members of the Armenia and Georgia EMT leadership cadre.