HSEEP Exercise Documentation

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Sophie Logan
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Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): A capabilities-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and consistent terminology for designing, developing,

1 This brief summary provides the basic rationale for the HSEEP resources and documents. 1 It is not meant to be a full summary of the HSEEP program. For more information on HSEEP compliance and the exercise process please refer to the HSEEP Self-Help Guide that accompanies this Blueprint Toolkit. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): A capabilities-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and consistent terminology for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating all exercises and provides tools and resources to help build self-sustaining exercise programs. Figure 1: From Module 1- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Training Course. 1. Background and Resources (some supplied in the Blueprint Toolkit): Training and Exercise Plan Workshop (TEPW) and Capabilities Assessment: Utilizing local capabilities assessments and threat assessments to guide the focus of exercise planning that address hazards and build organization capabilities. Optimal Condition: One representative from every target capability area should be present at 1 Information in this document was adapted from various resources provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) located at:

2 the Training and Exercise Plan Workshop (TEPW). For more information for conducting this workshop, print out the HSEEP attachments located in the Blueprint Toolkit, and access the HSEEP TEPW handbook located at: Exercise / Training Priorities and Objectives: Organizational gaps in prevention, response, and recovery as summarized in your local training and exercise plans. Optimal Condition: Identify the basic target capabilities relevant to your Emergency Support Function (ESF) and the hazards, threats, and the associated organization/agency capabilities. HSEEP Compliance Job Aid: Describes (and has a checklist for) the minimum factors that endow HSEEP compliance. A copy of this is provided in the toolkit. Optimal Condition: The county/esf8 representative to your organization can provide you with a copy of your county Training and Exercise Plan (TEP) that includes some of these HSEEP elements that can be included in your planning process. HSEEP Toolkit: contains tools and checklists that facilitate exercise planning and documentation. To access the toolkit a username and password will need to be obtained from Contains templates and tools: Situation Manual (SITMAN), Exercise Plan (EXPLAN), Exercise Evaluation Guides (EEG), After-Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP). Also contains checklists, agendas, and project management tools. 2. Discussion-Based Exercise Documents a. Participant Summary The Participant Summary should contain the basic information for participants prior to attending the exercise. This can be sent with the exercise invitation to prompt and prepare the participants. There is no specific format for this document. b. SITMAN contains the following sections and is given to the participants during and mirrors the discussion-based exercise: Introduction: The introduction contains many of the details identified and finalized during planning conferences (i.e., goals, objectives, exercise rules, agenda): Background Purpose Scope Target Capabilities Exercise design objectives Participants Exercise structure Exercise guidelines Assumptions and artificialities Scenario: It is helpful to organize scenario into modules based on the exercise s goals and objectives and assign scenario events to appropriate time stamps. To

gov/support/tepw_users_handbook_%28v30%29.pdf.

3 add realism, include details and pictures of local venues and agencies. This information is included in the SITMAN and given during the exercise. Participant Questions: Focus questions on plans and procedures and highlight areas identified by the jurisdiction in the questions, so pertinent issues are discussed. Reference Appendices Acronyms Local information Biological-Chemical Agent/Scenario Subject Fact Sheets 3. Operations Based Exercise Documents: a. EXPLAN: Purpose, scope, and objectives Background Duration Date and time of exercise Exercise Planning Team/control staff organization Roles and responsibilities Rules of conduct Safety issues Logistics Security and access Communications Schedule of events Maps and directions b. Controller/Evaluator (C/E) Handbook contains same information as EXPLAN, but because it contains information needed by the controllers and evaluators it also includes Detailed scenario information Roles and responsibilities of functional areas Exercise safety plan Controller communications plan Exercise Data Collection Forms (from EEGs) c. Controller and evaluator packet- materials should be placed in a packet (e.g., a folder or notebook) for easy use during an exercise. The packet should contain everything controllers and evaluators need to perform their required tasks.

Reference Appendices Acronyms Local information Biological-Chemical Agent/Scenario Subject Fact Sheets 3. Operations Based Exercise Documents: a.

4 The controller packet should contain: Essential Controller and Evaluator Handbook information, which details scenario and threat/hazard information, communications and safety plans, and exercise staff organization. Master Scenario Events List (MSEL), which includes injects for each responsible controller Maps and directions d. Briefings: Safety Briefing, Controller/Evaluator Briefing, Actor Briefing. e. The evaluator packets should include all the same information as the controller packets, plus EEGs. f. Master Scenario Events List (MSEL): Contains a chronological listing of events and injects that drive exercise play. See Table 1 for an example MSEL spreadsheet. Injects are representative actions and scenario elements that drive the exercise play. MSEL record includes: Designated scenario time the times listed in a MSEL should reflect the time an inject should occur. o These times should be as realistic as possible. o They should be based on input from functional area representatives. Event synopsis The controller responsible for delivering inject, with controller/evaluator special instructions (if applicable) Expected action the player response expected after a MSEL inject is delivered Intended player agency or individual player for whom the MSEL inject is intended Objective to demonstrate (if applicable) Notes section (for controllers and evaluators to track actual events against those listed in the MSEL, with special instructions for individual controllers and evaluators) o If events occur sooner than anticipated, it should be noted in the notes section, but play should not be interrupted. Injects should include the following elements: Designated scenario time when the event should take place Event synopsis what will occur Controller responsible for delivering inject Expect action what action will the players take Intended player who should receive the inject Objective to be demonstrated which one of the objectives does this inject drive

Briefings: Safety Briefing, Controller/Evaluator Briefing, Actor Briefing. e. The evaluator packets should include all the same information as the controller packets, plus EEGs. f.

5 Notes section blank space for the controllers to enter notes. Table 1: MSEL Spreadsheet Example 4. After Action Report and Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) a. Elements of an After-Action Report Executive Summary: One- to two-page summary Exercise Overview: Background information on exercise and participating organizations Exercise Design Summary Overarching purpose, goals, and objectives Capabilities and activities Summary of design initiative events Exercise Events Summary Table: Timeline Analysis of Capabilities Demonstrated: Analyze the demonstration of an activity by all jurisdictions/organizations that participated Conclusion: Brief summary of the major conclusions Appendices Appendix A: Improvement Plan (IP) Matrix Appendix B: Lessons Learned Appendix C: Participant Feedback Summary Appendix D: Other, Acronyms, Distribution List b. The Improvement Plan Matrix is usually an Appendix to the AAR and includes information in the following categories: Tasks Recommendations Improvement Actions Responsible Party Completion Date

Overarching purpose, goals, and objectives Capabilities and activities Summary of design initiative events Exercise Events Summary Table: Timeline Analysis of Capabilities Demonstrated: Analyze the

Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Terminology, Methodology, and Compliance Guidelines

Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Terminology, Methodology, and Compliance Guidelines HOMELAND SECURITY EXERCISE AND EVALUATION PROGRAM (HSEEP) The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation