CRA FULL-SCALE EXERCISES

In a Full Scale Exercise (FSE), response elements are required to mobilize and deploy to a designated site or locate in response to a simulated attack, generally for an extended period. Actual mobilization and movement of personnel and resources are required to demonstrate coordination and response capability. Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) and field command posts are activated. The FSE is the largest, costliest, and most complex exercise type and may involve participation at the State, local, regional, and Federal levels. Although pre-scripted events may be used, the exercise is primarily driven by player actions and decisions.

The FSE is used to evaluate the operational capabilities of systems, functional interfacing, and interaction during an extended period. It involves testing a major portion of operations plans and overall organization under field conditions.

Activities in an FSE may include:

• Assessing organizational or individual performance.

• Demonstrating interagency cooperation.

• Allocating resources and personnel.

• Assessing equipment capabilities.

• Activating personnel and equipment locations.

• Assessing interjurisdictional cooperation.

• Exercising public information systems.

• Testing communications systems and procedures.

• Analyzing memoranda of understanding (MOUs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), plans, policies, and procedures.

 

We're very satisfied. We recognized some areas that need to be fine-tuned, but less areas of difficulty than thought..." A crisis is no place to be exchanging business cards and making introductions." We want to make the mistakes now, rather than make them when, God forbid, an incident occurs. - Carlo Boccia, Director, Homeland Security, Boston - Operation Atlas

CRA's professionals have been Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) trained and are compliant with all DHS-funding requirements. CRA has conducted FSEs for various state and local jurisdictions, with mass transit systems in several major cities, at airports such as Operation Atlas at Boston's Logan Airport and at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station with AMTRAK. CRA has done full-scale exercises for the stadiums of such sports organizations as the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Dover International Speedway. To achieve a realistic sense, many of these exercises required the coordination and control of thousands of simulated victims, response entities, and the crucial management of resources and equipment.

Click HERE to contact Geoff Nagler  or call (703) 535-5208 to discuss how CRA can assist you with exercise development.