Simulation Experience Scenario

 Simulated Experience

This week you will engage in a virtual scenario where you will play the role of an Emergency Manager who is preparing for a mass gathering event.  You will interface with different members of the Incident Command System and will observe and influence how they interact with each other in managing any incidents that may happen.  This is intended to give you a view of how all roles come together to function as a team and prepare you for your final project in the course.

  Afterward, please post on the following topics:

• What are some ways that you see the principles of Incident Command demonstrated in this simulation, and some ways they could have been implemented better?
• Do you feel Incident Command is more important before or after an event?  How did you feel the scenario did or did not align with your view?
• Effective Incident Management depends on teamwork among individuals and agencies, in assigning and executing responsibilities.  What possible challenges did you see in the scenario that would need to be handled in the Incident Command System?

Please write a minimum of 450 words for your due by Jan 12th, APA style format, and a minimum of 3 references.

You are the Emergency Manager for Bobsville, Oklahoma.
Founded in 2015, Bobsville is located in the heartland of America and is your normal small town. The overall size of Bobsville is 30 square miles. The average temperature in the winter is 40 degrees F, in the summer it is 85 degrees F, and in the spring and fall the temperature averages around 65 degrees F.
Bobsville’s population when it’s university is in session is 9500 and when the school is not in session the population is 7500.

You are getting ready to attend the monthly Local Emergency Predaredness Committee (LEPC) meeting at the local Air Force base.

As you are getting ready to leave the office your telephone rings.
It’s the Police Chief.

“Hello, Chief. What can I do for you?”
“Good morning,” said the Chief.
“Do you have a few minutes to talk to me this morning?”
“Absolutely, Chief. Do you want to meet for coffee, or in my office?”
“Your office, I have something sensitive to talk to you about.

As you wait in you’re office, you notice a notification on your computer.
“What’s this? An e-bulletin.”

On the computer, you open the notification:

“On 15 June the U.S. Army’s Chemical Research Facility in Disaster Town, AL suffered a cyber attack that introduced a vulnerability to its security systems and was infiltrated. According to the lab Director and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division Investigator they have determined that a chemical was taken called Kolokol-1 (mefentanyl dissolved in a halothane base); the chemical used by the Russian authorities to incapacitate Chechen terrorists who took patrons hostage at a Moscow Theatre in 2002. In the Moscow incident a reported 170 died as a result of the use of the gas. Further information will be provided once available.
Questions can be addressed by email to USACID@army.mil; or call 1-888-555-1212.”

Then, you hear a knocking at your office door.

Answer the door.

“Come in!”
The door opens and the Police Chief walks in and sits in front of you.
“Sorry, but I am probably going to ruin your day” says the Chief.
“Does this have anything to do with the break-in at the Army’s Research facility in Disaster City?”
The Police Chief begins to explain, “Yes. Since we are so close I am a little concerned and want to make sure that we are ready for anything that may happen. As you know our University graduation takes place this weekend and it is being held in the Athletic Center. I would hate like hell to have these terrorists release this gas during the ceremony, we don’t have the first responder capability to handle an attack like this would be.”
“In fact; I was talking to the Fire Chief yesterday and he’s not happy with the City Council cutting back on his funding to buy more PPE for his firefighters.”

Discuss lack of PPE

You say, “I know what you mean, I helped him draft up the request and there were certain things in there he needs and needs now. Since they didn’t get the money, I will be drafting a document to share with him to get a Homeland Security Grant, but that doesn’t help us this weekend. We’ll have to hope we can be prepared with the PPE they have now.”
The Police Chief responds, “We are prepared, but to only a specific threat level. I think we need to keep this close hold until we get more information, I don’t want people overreacting. I’m going to go talk with the Fire Chief and Mayor.”
The Chief gets up to leave, “In the meantime, can you do some research before the LEPC meeting this afternoon?”

“Sure will,” you say.

You begin to search for information that will prepare you to present to the LEPC on this potential additional threat to the upcoming event.
As you sit there and ponder what to do should the release of the gas happen in Bobsville you come up with several preparedness options that you think are important.
“Okay…I need to rethink what I’m going to present this afternoon.”
Unfortunately you have limited time until the meeting and will not be able to research them all in light of this new threat:

Investigate Kolokol-1
Review the HazMat Incident Annex/ESF of the EOP
Review the HVA
Review the Mass Casualty Annex/ESF of the EOP
Recommend increase physical security at the university graduation
Recommend increase cyber security at the university graduation
Social Media Security
Draft Press Release

As you browse through more and more research about Kolokol-1 you become very concerned that this airborne chemical agent could cause serious respiratory problems and death.
“Kolokol-1 looks like an extremely dangerous compound.”
You download a fact sheet about the chemical to distribute to the LEPC.

On your bookshelf across the room, you spot the folder labelled “Hazardous Materials Annex.”
“According to the HazMat Annex, I need to enourage responders to double-check PPE and decontamination tent supplies.”

“Okay, what’s next…,” you say:
Investigate Kolokol-1
Review the HazMat Incident Annex/ESF of the EOP

The HVA is standard review for a large event, but you still decide to print out copies for the LEPC.
“Influx of visitors for the annual university graduation typically does not strain our resources and there are other cities with larger populations in closer to the Chemical Depot, so the likelihood of an attack is low. “

Thinking about the EOP, you know the Mass Casualty Annex is standard review for a large event like Graduation – triage, transport, and treatment of large amounts of wounded need to be considered.
“We should set up a triage tent, ready ambulance transport, and ready staff and supplies.”

You glance up at the clock and realize you have no more time for research.
“Okay, that’s about it.”
You gather up your research in preparation, “Time for the LEPC.”

As you arrive at the base, the LEPC and City Council have assembled. A significant amount of pre-meeting conversation is taking place.
The meeting is in a room with a table and a dozen chairs, and several large screen TVs on the walls. Computers and binders scatter the table open to either the HazMat Annex or the Mass Casualty Annex from the EOP along with scattered paper handouts.
As you all begin to take your seats, the Fire Chief, who is acting as Incident Commander for the graduation, addresses the council.

“I want to thank each of you for coming to this meeting. Tomorrow is the university graduation, and we are here to do our final coordination. In addition to our standard preparations we have discussed in previous meetings, we now have an additional consideration. Each of you has the copy of this year’s IAP for the graduation, which we will now need to modify.”
They turn and gesture at you, “I want to turn the meeting over to our Emergency Manager.”

You stand to begin speaking…

As you stand, you address the IC,”Thanks Chief.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, what I am about to tell you has been close hold between the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Mayor, and myself until we were able to gather more information.”
Picking up some of your printouts, “I want to read something to all of you so that you understand why we convened this group and have you in your EOC vests:
“On 15 June the U.S. Army’s Chemical Research Facility in Disaster Town, AL suffered a cyber attack that introduced a vulnerability to its security systems and was infiltrated. According to the lab Director and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division Investigator they have determined that a chemical was taken called Kolokol-1 (mefentanyl dissolved in a halothane base); the chemical used by the Russian authorities to incapacitate Chechen terrorists who took patrons hostage at a Moscow Theatre in 2002. In the Moscow incident a reported 170 died as a result of the use of the gas. Further information will be provided once available…”
As you come to the end of the bulletin, the Safety Officer – one of the Council members – interjects…

“I remember the Russian operation, I thought that they were reckless and overdid their attempt to rescue the hostages. They should have negotiated longer,” they say to group.
Then, looking at you, “So why are we just hearing about this?”
Another Council member – the Public Affairs officer – attempts to answer

“You would be surprised what doesn’t make the news. I am sick and tired about the secrets that are being kept from our citizens!”
The IC immediately responds, “with all due respect, this is not the place.”
“Sorry Chief, just thinking out loud. Please go ahead…” The PA officer sits down.
The Incident Commander continues, “However, I just received the following FLASH bulletin on my way to this meeting.”

“Let me read…”

“This bulletin is being provided as a second update to the original FLASH bulletin issued on 15 June. Intelligence sources have received a link to a video sent to them by the terrorists in which they state that they will attack a town or city on Saturday. They claimed in the video that to make their point and to prove that even with all of our resources we can’t stop them, they will attack a city within a 90 mile radius of the research facility” the Incident Commander finishes.
The room erupts with conversation…

The Incident Commander talks over everyone to calm to room, “Okay ladies and gentlemen, let’s focus. Our Emergency Manager has done some research that should help us prepare for this threat.”
They look toward you, “Please present to us what you have prepared.”

You hold up your Research for the group, “Please see this copy of our HVA.”
“We are within the 90 mile radius of the chemical depot, but there are other towns with larger populations and more prominent institutions in that radius as well. The HVA shows that our town has a low probability of an attack.”
The Police Chief begins speaking, “I’m concerned that if we make too big of a deal of this, we’ll have panic in the streets whether or not an attack actually happens.”
“Even with a low chance of attack, we shouldn’t be caught flat footed,” says the Safety Officer.
“I agree.” The Chief continues, “we should make our standard preparations, but we don’t need to publicize it. If it happens, we’ll be ready, but just telling people about this could cause problems of its own.”
The Public Affairs officers leans foward in their seat, “You think that word isn’t going to get out about this? The public deserves to know about this threat, and that we’re aware of it and preparing appropriately. Not saying anything makes us look incompetent and will get the rumor mill going overtime. We may still have panic on our hands unless we show the town we are prepared.”
The Incident Commander tries to calm the conversation, “Alright, settle down, but you have both presented valid points. Let’s table this for the moment and come back to it after we’ve reviewed everything.”

You continue…

“Next topic,” you say:
Present HVA
Present Kolokol-1 Fact Sheet
Present HazMat Annex
Present Mass Casualty Annex

You hand the Fact Sheets you printed to the person next to you to be passed around. “Here is a fact sheet on the chemical agent that was stolen from the Army depot. I don’t understand all the details, but it seems that it is extremely powerful and can take effect in only seconds after being inhaled. However, an antidote is listed. Maybe the people on the medical side of the house can explain this more?”
The Hospital Director – looking over the fact sheet – begins to speak, “Yes, this is a powerful synthetic opioid that causes major respiratory depression. People would start slumping over unconscious once they become affected, which might cause them to close their airways, hit their heads from falls, or even stop breathing altogether if it’s strong enough.” “The antidote, naxalone – or Narcan as you may know it – is common and we carry it for all the overdose calls that we go on,” the EMS Director follows up. “We’ll stock up our kits and bring out the extras from the reserve. I think it will be strong enough against even a military-grade drug. If we really think this is going to happen we should put in an emergency resupply order overnight.” The Hospital Director nods and says, “We’ll also need lots of oxygen resuscitation to get victims breathing again on-scene. We’ve already got this put together for our standard mass-casualty preparations but more would be useful.” The Logistics Officer – another Council member – responds, “Commander, would you like me to put in an order?” The Incident Commander shakes and lowers his head, “I wish we could, but we know the budget situation. Everyone in the threat radius is likely readying like we are. We’ll all have to rely on Mutual Aid to assist whoever might get hit.” “If this agent is as fast-acting as it says it is,” the Safety Officer breaks in the conversation.
“I recommend everyone who has masks to keep them on their persons at all times during the event. If you or anyone around you so much as feels the slightest bit woozy, mask up first and then call it in. I know we don’t have enough PPE for all responders, but if we can get people out quickly or divert the air flow we’ll be okay.”

You continue…

You hold up your EOP binder and then set it, open, in front of you. “Would you all open your EOP binders to the HazMat Annex please?”
The Fire Chief starts talking, “Starting this morning I had the team begin to take out all of their PPE, make sure that everything works and that if not, to fix it if possible. I will have a report for this group by 1700 today. Ladies and gentlemen, we will be as ready as we can.”
The Mayor stands up, “Chief I want to thank you for not beating us up for not approving your PPE request.”
“Mayor,” the Fire Chief says.
“This meeting is not the place for me to bring it up. I respect the decision regardless if I like it or not.”
The Hospital Director holds up his hands, “Before any of you ask, my staff at the hospital recently did a table top exercise on a HazMat incident, and based upon the Hotwash and After Action Review we changed a few procedures. Once this meeting is done, I will ensure that the DECON team inspects their gear and that the ER has sufficient supplies.”
The Fire Chief says, “The fire trucks will also make sure to have the low-pressure hoses available for immediate field decon on site.”

With your EOP binder open, “Please open your EOP binders to the Mass Casualty Annex. Keep in mind that should this become a Mass Casualty event our capacity will quickly be overwhelmed and we will need to activate our Mutual Aid Agreements with our neighbor communities and the county.”
You turn and ask:

Commander, are you ready for any event?
Chief, are you ready for any event?
EMS Chief, are you ready for any event?
Hospital Director, are you ready for any event?

Commander, are you ready for any event?
The Fire Chief responds, “We were recently called to a fire two towns over. The mutual aid agreemChief, are you ready for any event?
The Police Chief responds, “The County Sheriff will be able to backfill our regular patrol force if we get involved in dealing with a terrorist attack.”ent is active and functioning and we’ll have help should we need it.”

EMS Chief, are you ready for any event?
The EMS Director responds, “Yes, we will have 1 ambulance at the University and one at each fire station. We have a fourth that is undergoing some maintenance. I will ensure that it is ready to go tomorrow, the maintenance is regular periodic.”

Hospital Director, are you ready for any event?
The Hospital Director responds, “Even without this new threat we already have set a first aid triage area at the university for anything that could happen. We also have a standing mutual aid agreement with the medical facilities in the surrounding counties to take any patients if we get overwhelmed.”

You quickly review your research and then look up at the group, “Okay, that’s what I had for everyone.”

The Incident Commander breaks in, “Now that we’ve reviewed all the information our Emergency Manager has prepared concerning this new threat, I thought it might be useful for us to review our command structure and ensure we have the right people in the right positions in the case an attack actually occurs. If there is an attack, should we stick with a single command, or do we need to move to a unified command? Who would be the best Incident Commander? I’m not too proud to have us look at this objectively.”
They turn to you, “Our Emergency Manager is our resident expert on Incident Command, what are your recommendations?”
CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSE:

Single Command with Fire Chief IC

Single Command with Police Chief IC
Unified Command with Fire and Police Chief

Single Command with Fire Chief IC

“Every fire requires an Incident Commander, so the Fire Chief is more experienced in that role. The Police Chief could do Ops to have more direct focus on crowd safety. I think the other roles are fine the way they are.”
The Incident Commander glances around the table, “Is everyone else in agreement?”
As all the members nod in agreement, they continue, “It’s decided then. In the event a chemical attack occurs, we will establish command as we have just decided.”

“Anything else?” the Incident Commander asks the group.
“If not, I want the PIO to draft a public service announcement for the community, and once it is approved by myself and the Mayor we will send it to the TV, radio station, and our social media channels so that the community will know what is going on.”
The Public Affairs officer responds, “I will have it for you by 1600.”
“We also need to record our decisions in an updated IAP. I’m sure that our Planning Officer has been taking notes?”
“Yes, sir. I will also have that for you by 1600,” the Planning Officer replies.
“With that said, let’s adjourn.”
The group begins to gather up belongings, chairs scraping back and forth as they shuffle around.
“Oh, one more thing,” the IC says. “We will activate the EOP tomorrow morning at 0800 at the lowest level, hoping for the best. The Emergency Manager and I will be here and if we need to activate the rest of you, we will send out a group message. Please keep your phone close.
“Thanks.”
You return home, hoping you’ll get some sleep before tomorrow…

It’s a beautiful day of celebration for the students graduating and even more visitors are in town with their families arriving to attend the ceremony.
As part of the standard Emergency Preparedness for any large gathering, the Emergency Manager and Incident Commander are at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and have activated the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) at the lowest level. They are the only people present.
The Incident Commander requests you to get status reports from the responders on scene.
Request Police status
Request Fire status
Request Hospital status
Request Ambulance status

The police report that they have set up a checkpoint at the main entrance to the graduation hall and have been checking bags and wanding to enforce the school’s no weapons policy. Other entrances to the building are locked from the outside.
Report Police are ready to the Incident Commander.

The Fire department report that their crew is on duty at the station and can to respond to any calls within minutes. The Fire Marshall is present at the graduation to ensure that building capacity limits are followed.
Report the Fire department is ready to the Incident Commander.

The hospital reports that they have a few patients in but are only at 11% capacity. They are ready to recieve any patients that cannot be handled at the first aid station at the event.
Report to the Incident Commander the hospital is ready.

The Ambulance crew reports that they are located at the university and supporting the university healthcare staff at the first aid tent in the main hallway outside of the stadium seating.
Report to the Incident Commander the Ambulance is ready.

Police: Ready
Fire: Ready
Hospital: Ready
Ambulance: Ready
Great, we’re all set.
Report to the University that security is ready.

The university is livestreaming their ceremony on their Facebook page, which is displayed on a monitor on the wall of the EOC.
The faculty file in and take their place seated on the stage. Family and friends all take their places in the stadium seating, and the university president introduces the graduating class.
Beaming students file in and sit in the rows of chairs that have been placed in the center of the stadium. A few hoots and hollers are given as proud family shout out to their graduate. Opening remarks are given by the president, and the class valedictorian begins their speech.
During the speech, many heads are drooping or looking down at their phones. One of the students even slumps over onto their neighbor. The valedictorian notices, but continues. Rapidly, several other students slump over and fall off their chairs. A commotion begins to stir.
Call for a Status Report
Continue to watch and let the responders handle it.

A police officer radios in that people in the stadium are slumping over and falling off their chairs, not just the students, but people in the stands…
The report abruptly ends. You can see on the livestream that the majority of the students in the center of the stadium are lying on the ground, though a few are running or crawling towards the exits.
The crowd is also fleeing, and there is a lot of screaming. Some family members are going down towards the students to try and rescue their graduate, but stumble and collapse.
Another report crackles over the radio. “Shots fired! Armed individual found exiting the facilites office has been neutralized. It seems this is some type of gas attack released through the ventilation system.”
The Incident Commander declares he is Escalating the EOC and asks you to call in the other members of the Incident Command System.

You send a group text to the Incident Command members informing them that an attack has happened at the graduation and the EOC is being escalated to the highest level.
You also send individual calls to the officers over Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance, and Public Affairs. Each answers your call stating they have seen your text and are on their way.
While this is happening, the Incident Commander has been calling individual status reports from the responder agencies.
Police status
Fire status
Hospital status
Ambulance status

The Police Department is divided between trying to secure the area, and managing the crowd of evacuees leaving the building. They believe the individual acted alone and the active threat is gone.
Many people have gotten into their cars to leave, and there have been several crashes in the parking lot as well as on the streets surrounding the university. 3 people have died. They don’t have the officers available to respond to anything other than at the Athletic Center.
Report that the police are overwhelmed

The Fire Department on scene officer reports that an engine crew has arrived and they are getting mobbed by the evacuees. He is requesting that a triage site be set up outside the Athletic Center so that they can control the flow of people to the hospital.
Report that the Fire Dept. is overwhelmed

The hospital is quickly being overtaken by people being transported to the ER by all means possible. The Hospital Director in coordination with the ER Chief has issued a Black order; they can’t take any more patients.
Report that the hospital is overwhelmed

The Ambulance Chief has relocated outside the Athletic Center and is running anyone with a pulse to the hospital. He is requesting additional support as part of the Mutual Aid Agreement with the surrounding communities as there are too many immobile victims to transport.
Report that the ambulance is overwhelmed

Police: Overwhelmed
Fire: Overwhelmed
Hospital: Overwhelmed
Ambulance: Overwhelmed
This has moved from an emergency to a disaster. We’re totally overwhelmed.
The Incident Command team has arrived.

With the Incident Command team assembled, the Incident Commander establishes command as decided at the end of the LEPC meeting.
The Incident Commander officially declares this a disaster and is ready to start leading the responding agencies through the Emergency Operations Plan.
Before we can begin, we must decide which Annex to follow.
Recommend Commander follows the Hazmat Annex.
Recommend Commander follows the Mass Casualty Annex.

You recommend using the HazMat Annex since this is a chemical attack. You are certain that the Fire Department’s hazardous materials team have the skills to effectively decontaminate those affected by the gas and that they should recover. As a result you believe there is no need to activate any of the Mutual Aid Agreements.
The Incident Commander agrees with you and gives the command to proceed using the HazMat Annex.

The Incident Commander radios the local volunteer Fire Department and tells them they are to:
Set up Triage
Begin Decontamination

A triage system is set up where patients are categorized according to severity and physically placed in groups. Those who are in critical condition are placed closest to the main entrance where the ambulance can pick them up quickly.
Those who are less severe are placed further away, and essentially a line has formed. Responders and Medical personnel are treating patients and evacuating them as fast as they can, but seven people have died.
As people are moved around and grouped together, more people seem to become more sick. It appears that we have a problem with Secondary Contamination.

In the hurry to move everyone out of the stadium and into open air, it was an unspoken assumption that the gas would dissapate. However, it appears to have some sort of contact agent, and as affected people are in proximity to each other, they begin to get sicker. 23 additional people die.
Decontaminate those affected.

The HazMat team have suited up in their protective gear and begin to spray down the evacuees with the low pressure hose to wash off any chemical that may have gotten on them. Special care is given to those who are of reduced capability or any who have fallen unconscious. Even those marked as deceased are hosed down to decrease the chance of secondary contamination to those handling the bodies.

The equipped HazMat team then begins to enter the stadium and search for any signs of life. Among the evacuees, a commotion begins to erupt among the Worried Well.

Those who are ambulatory want to either leave and go to the hospital on their own, bump up the line to the ambulance, or to be with loved ones who have arrived on scene now that news is getting out about the attack.
The responders are having a hard time telling them that it is important that they stay here at the site and allow those who are more critical to recieve medical attention first.
There are also those who seem to have no symptoms at all but are worried that they were exposed and are demanding to be seen by a physician.
The injured are responding well to first aid treatments, but the hospital reports they have Run Out of Supplies.

You curse yourself that the decontamination efforts weren’t as successful as you had anticipated and that people aren’t getting better after the agent has been removed. 69 additional people have died so far and we have no way of improving that now. We need help.
Activate Mutual Aid

You begin to contact the members of your Mutual Aid agreement.
The surrounding hospitals are informed and are preparing to accept patients.
Nearby ambulance agencies are activated and are racing towards us to transport our ill to the hospitals.
The County Sheriff is called and is sending all available officers to backfill any tasks that aren’t able to be covered by Bobsville’s force.
The Fire stations throughout the county bring additional protective equipment and medical repsonders.
You also contact the County Emergency Mangager, who will report this up the chain to the Governor to authorize State funds. Since this is a terrorist attack, the FBI will be called in.
While you were talking, 13 people have died.

Soon the Governor Arrives.

The state Governor arrives at the EOC, bringing along a Disaster Medical and Disaster Mortuary team. He expresses his condolances that this catastrophe has happened, and that he is declaring a Stafford Act so that funds and material are available to the city to assist in recovery.
The Disaster Medical team gets to work right away, providing additional equipment, medicine, and personnel to help the ill affected.
The Disaster Mortuary team begins to collect, identify, and store the bodies of the deceased in specialized refrigerator trucks they have driven in.
Soon after, the Federal response teams arrive.

The FBI helicopter touches down at the airfield and the Federal team is driven to the EOC. They have their own Incident Commander, who informs the Bobsville Incident Commander that he is entering into Joint Command, and will be taking over just the investigation of the terrorist attacker. All other local response activities will remain handled by Bobsville.
The FBI are briefed on what has transpired so far, and they leave to suit up in their protective gear and investigate the university stadium.
With the local and State assistance, the remaining ill have all been transferred to nearby hospitals or cleared by medical personnel to go home.
Conduct an After Action Report.

The Incident Command team orders in dinner and discusses what needs to happen to release their Mutual Aid partners and bring the town out of response and into recovery.
177 people have died. 65 were estimated during the initial attack, and 112 during the response period.
The actions taken are reviewed.
LEPC Present Kolokol
LEPC Present HVA2
LEPC Present HazMat
LEPC Present HVA2
LEPC Present MassCas
LEPC Present HVA2
Transfer Command
singleFC
LEPC Conclusion
Graduation
Police Ready
Pre-Attack Status Report
Fire Ready
Pre-Attack Status Report
Hospital Ready
Pre-Attack Status Report
Ambulance Ready
Pre-Attack Status Report
Attack
Attack Status Report
Escalate EOC
Police Overwhelmed
Initial Reports
Fire Overwhelmed
Initial Reports
Hospital Overwhelmed
Initial Reports
Ambulance Overwhelmed
Initial Reports
Choose Annex
HazMat Annex
HazMat Arrive
Set up Triage
Secondary Contamination
Decon
Worried Well
Run Out of Supplies
Activate Mutual Aid
Governor Arrives
Feds Arrive

Could anything have been done better?
THE END