Shelter-in-Place Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions

This exercise is part of our catalog of tabletop exercises for credit unions .

Scenario Overview

An immediate external threat, such as a nearby law enforcement incident, hazardous materials release, or other dangerous condition, requires the credit union to initiate shelter-in-place procedures. Employees and members must remain inside while the situation unfolds.

Leadership must quickly assess the threat, implement protective actions, communicate clearly with those on-site, and coordinate with emergency services while maintaining control of the environment.

This exercise challenges credit union leadership teams to respond to a fast-moving situation where life safety, communication, and decision-making are critical.

Why This Scenario Matters for Credit Unions

Credit unions serve members in open, public-facing environments where immediate threats can arise with little warning. A shelter-in-place situation requires rapid decision-making, clear communication, and coordination with external responders.

This exercise helps leadership teams evaluate how they would protect employees and members, manage on-site conditions, and maintain control during an evolving emergency.

Exercise Objectives

• Evaluate leadership decision-making during an immediate threat scenario.
• Discuss shelter-in-place procedures and protective actions.
• Review communication with employees, members, and emergency services.
• Assess situational awareness and information flow.
• Examine coordination with law enforcement or emergency responders.
• Identify improvements to emergency response plans and procedures.

Typical Participants

• Executive leadership
• Branch or facility management
• Operations management
• Human resources
• Security or safety personnel
• Communications or public affairs staff
• Business continuity or crisis management team members

Exercise Format

Conduct-It-Yourself Tabletop Exercises are structured, discussion-based simulations designed to help organizations test their response to disruptive events without the time and cost of a fully facilitated exercise. Participants are placed in the middle of a realistic scenario as it unfolds and must work through decisions, priorities, and consequences as a leadership team.

Each downloadable exercise package includes everything needed to conduct the session internally, including facilitator instructions, exercise overview materials, participant forms, a detailed scenario script, and a ready-to-run PowerPoint presentation that guides the scenario and discussion. The materials are designed so organizations can conduct the exercise as delivered or customize the storyline and supporting materials to reflect their own facilities, security posture, and operating environment.

Most exercises are designed to be conducted in approximately 2 to 4 hours. A typical agenda includes an exercise overview and scenario briefing, the facilitated disaster simulation discussion, group review and preparation for debriefing, and a structured post-exercise discussion to capture lessons learned and improvement opportunities.

Exercise Focus

• Life Safety
• Emergency Response
• Communication

Related Tabletop Exercise Scenarios

Organizations exploring this scenario may also find these exercises useful:

• Fraud & Sabotage Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions
• Cyber Crime Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions
• Earthquake Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions
• Gas Main Explosion Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions
• Train Wreck Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions
• Pandemic Tabletop Exercise for Credit Unions

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