Recurring throughput problems served as a catalyst to search for a better approach to planning, training, and evaluating points of dispensing (POD) exercises. The paper begins with a discussion of the potential of systems thinking and systems theory to improve exercise planning, training, and evaluation. The paper then illustrates how systems concepts guided a POD design team in improving their planning, training, and evaluation strategy. The paper concludes by suggesting the application of systems thinking and systems theory to other emergency response strategies (eg, incident command, emergency operating centers) shows great promise, warranting further investment in testing its efficacy.