Training & Exercises

Overview

Training and exercises play crucial roles in preparedness by providing opportunities for emergency responders and homeland security officials to develop, practice and assess their collective capabilities. The Region 3 Training and Exercise Planning Workgroup (TEPW) provides oversight of our regional training and exercise programs and processes to sustain consistent programs state-wide. Our programs incorporate the principles contained in the federal government’s Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)

Region 3 Training and Exercise Planning Workgroup (TEPW)

The mission of the TEPW is to manage the Region 3 exercise program, provide training and exercise guidance and maintain the Region 3 Training and Exercise Schedule. The TEPW supports Region-wide exercises and is not chartered or resourced to oversee or control jurisdiction’s local exercise programs. Support for local exercises may be available from the CRCOG Training Coordinator or the DEMHS Region 3 Trainer or Exercise Coordinator.

To assist CREPC member communities and maintain HSEEP standards, the Capitol Region Council of Governments will maintain a database of regional exercise after action reports on its website. This will assist the region in building a better regional response capability and support member communities in their NIMS compliance efforts. Individuals planning, conducting and documenting local and regional exercises must adhere to HSEEP guidance if seeking reimbursement via Homeland Security or Department of Public Health grant funding.

All Regional exercises are completed in accordance with the concepts and format outlined in the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). As such AAR/IPs are labeled “For Official Use Only”. This label is defined as “Information that has not been given a security classification pursuant to the criteria of an Executive Order, but that may be withheld from the public because disclosure would cause a foreseeable harm to an interest protected by one or more Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions”. AAR/IPs posted on the CRCOG web site have been reviewed and no foreseeable harm is expected as a result of this posting. Approval authorities for each of the AAR/IPs on the web site have authorized them to be posted in the interest of information sharing with regional stakeholders. Individuals accessing these documents via the CRCOG website are expected to follow the Handling Instructions within each document and to not subsequently post the documents on any other sites.

DEMHS Region 3 Specialized Training

The RED (Regional Emergency Deployment) Plan is the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) Region 3 plan that provides resources to local Incident Commanders when a situation requires more resources than are available locally. The Capitol Region Emergency Planning Committee (CREPC) recognized the importance of proper all-hazard planning and developed the RED Plan shortly after the events of September 11, 2001. Training is available at the Awareness Level, and also via Table Top Exercises to help Region 3 jurisdictions understand how to get resources.

RED Plan Awareness Training

Awareness training on the RED Plan is available via classroom DVD or on-line DVD. Local jurisdictions can complete RED Plan training using either method. Successful course completion for either method requires attaining a score of 70% or greater on a post training assessment (exam). CREPC maintains records on those completing this RED Plan training to ensure regional understanding and assess progress. For most first responders, this awareness level training is all that is required.

RED Plan Table Top Exercises

Understanding applicable emergency plans is critical to successful emergency management. RED Plan orientation, updates and training are conducted at CREPC meetings and awareness training on the RED Plan is available to any Region 3 jurisdiction as described above. To ensure the RED Plan is understood, a Table Top Exercise designed specifically for the local community is also useful. These exercises are designed to stress local resources to the point they cannot meet the requirements of the emergency situation. The solution for local emergency response officials is to call the Regional Incident Coordination System, RICS, to make notification that the RED Plan is required. Actual notification is made during table top exercises to allow participants to witness first hand the notification and activation process. This training process builds a high level of regional understanding and an effective response mechanism for emergencies beyond the capability of local resources, thereby increasing public safety on a regional basis.

On-Line Training

NOTE: Viewers should have copies of the same references as noted under classroom training if they are not familiar with the RED Plan.

  1. Log in to TRAIN Connecticut (New users can go to https://ct.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx and select “Create Account”.)
  2. Enroll in “RED Plan Training – On-Line Version” and view video
    1. Locate course by entering Course ID 1011508 into “Search by Course ID” located on the right side of the Home Page. (NOTE: There are several methods to locate the course, but when the ID is known it is the easiest.)
    2. Register for the class by selecting the Registration tab, and view the video by selecting “Launch”.
    3. View the RED Plan training video.
  3. Complete Post Assessment.
    1. Return to TRAIN Connecticut Home Page.
    2. Select “My Learning” on the right hand side.
    3. Change the status of RED Plan Training to Completed by clicking on the “M” under “Manage”.
    4. When you select this option TRAIN will direct you to the Post Assessment (exam).
    5. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the exam.

Classroom Presentation

To complete the awareness level training in a classroom environment, you will need the following:

  1. RED Plan Training Video (See On-line Training on this page).
  2. RED Plan Exam (updated 2/19/08)
  3. RED Plan Exam answer sheets

In addition, you should review, or have available, the following documents:

  1. RED Plan
  2. Key Terms
  3. RED Plan Activation Worksheet
  4. Commander’s Guide to Activating the RED Plan

NOTE: The video explains the needed information in enough detail that actual copies are not normally needed. However, if the viewer(s) is/are not familiar with the documents it is valuable to look at them to become familiar.

The recommended process for completing classroom RED Plan awareness level classroom training is to

  1. Print out copies of the RED Plan Exam and RED Plan Exam Answer Sheet for each individual completing the training.
  2. Print out or have available adequate reference copies of the RED Plan, Key Terms, RED Plan Activation Worksheet and Incident Commander’s Guide to Activating the RED Plan for class reference.
  3. View the RED Plan Training Video.
  4. Complete the RED Plan Exam by circling the correct answers on the exam.
  5. Complete the RED Plan Exam Answer Sheet,
  6. Forward only the Answer Sheet to the Training Coordinator for processing. (NOTE: The RED Plan exam may be completed on-line also via TRAIN Connecticut using Course ID 1011120.)

Keep the exam with circled answers as a reference and forward only the answer sheet. The Training Coordinator will provide feedback on your exam results to ensure any misunderstandings are cleared up.

NIMS Training Requirements

Supporting NIMS compliance efforts remains a cornerstone of the CRCOG’s homeland security initiative. Funding is available to support NIMS training and our Training Coordinator is available to assist our members fill training requirements and work towards full compliance.

For additional information, go to the NIMS Resource Center.

NIMS compliance requires the following training courses in the Federal Fiscal Year (FY) indicated;

  • IS-700: NIMS, An Introduction (FY08)
  • IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF), An Introduction (FY08)
  • ICS-100: Introduction to ICS (FY08)
  • ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (FY08)
  • ICS-300: Intermediate ICS (FY08)
  • ICS-400: Advanced ICS (FY09)

The IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100 and ICS-200 courses are available on-line and jurisdictions are encouraged to take advantage of this efficient training method at http://www.training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp. The ICS-300 and 400 courses are only available in two day seminar format.

ODP approved training and exercises are eligible for reimbursement. For other than the NIMS required training and regional approved exercises, reimbursement should be preapproved.

Completion of NIMS training supports local and regional emergency planning efforts and exercise programs. Details regarding who requires each of the compliance courses are available in the NIMS Five-Year Training Plan. Training requirements are defined for an individual’s emergency management role, not their normal duties. As such, each community must review their emergency plan, determine the emergency management/disaster roles for their staff (paid, full time/part time, and volunteer) and then assess each individual’s training needs. For example, a town’s finance director may be assigned during an emergency to the ICS position of Finance/Administrative Section Chief. As such, this individual requires all of the NIMS training programs.

Today’s concept of emergency management requires local authorities to have the primary responsibility for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. Most emergencies are handled at the local level, but there are situations when local resources and capabilities are exhausted and mutual aid is called on to assist. If mutual aid doesn’t solve the problem, the incident can be escalated to the regional, state and federal level to ensure needs are met. Complying with NIMS ensures this process will work anywhere in the United States of America.

Documents

Training Documents

  • Region 3 Training and Exercise Plan

  • CREPC Training Reimbursement Form

  • Region 3 Training and Exercise Planning
    Workgroup Charter, updated 12/15/11

  • Region 3 “Coordination of Exercises Policy”,
    updated 12/15/09

  • Users Handbook

HSEEP Documents

AAR/IP Documents