Continuity of Operations Continuity of Government

Discussion-based Exercise

Specialized venue of the Vigilant Guard Exercise

June 22, 2009

Celebration / recognition…

Applaud efforts Impressive number of state agencies

involved / completed Valuable learning opportunities Expanded partnerships

Introductions

Introduce yourself / agency representing One word to describe your experience

with this planning process Self assessment…assign a grade to your

agency’s current COOP plan

Ardent Sentry / Vigilant Guard

National Level Exercise Host, State of Iowa Region VII exercise (IA, KS, NE, MO)

Dates: June 18-24 Multiple venues Both discussion-based / operations-based Opportunity for multi-state coordination and

information sharing

Overview…

April 2008, exercise concept formed States provided input into objectives

Foreign Animal Disease Joint Task Force Continuity of Operations Crisis City

Purpose…

Validate state-level COOP plans Interface between individual plans Integral step: preparing for functional

exercise (July 2010)

Objectives…

Examine internal and external communication systems notifications / information sharing processes

Identify functional requirements prevention and response phases

Discuss efficient means for identifying critical resource priorities 12 hours 4 to 15 business days 16 to 30 business days

Objectives… (cont’d)

Review the authorities and procedures for managing emergency operations

Determine priorities for managing human capital

Participation…

Players Agency personnel active in planning role

Presenters Individuals (SME) sharing background

information and explain how events will unfold from their perspective (learning objectives)

Facilitators Plan and manage the flow of exercise play

Exercise Structure…

Discussion-based exercise: explore / validate current capabilities Identify any planning gaps

Module 1: Threat information Module 2: News Flash: Attack on American Soil Module 3: The Story Unfolds

Tutorials built into the discussion

Exercise Expectations…

Participation is required, even if it is only to listen

Respect new thoughts, ideas and opinions

Foster solutions to problems not yet resolved

Exercise Expectations…

Refuse to throw up your hands on how to solve the problem Everyone present has valuable expertise

Respect the learning of fellow participants

Assumptions / Artificialities…

Scenario information will not be as concise and deliberate in an actual event

Discussion limited to only participating agencies

Discussion-based exercises tend to minimize the true challenges of actions

Assumptions / Artificialities…

Players may not have the answers Participant worksheet

Difficult to separate COOP planning from response planning Intend to relay critical knowledge

how response efforts unfold highlight expectations of information sharing and

actions Interface between individual plans

Agenda…

(3) modules Group discussions / whole discussion

Working lunch provided Hot Wash discussion

Scenario….

Preparedness is a funny thing; there’s only so much of it a soul can stand. The problem with bracing for the worse, you have to imagine it first.

-- Shawn Hubler

Scenario…

Sensitive in nature Overwhelming Possible new outlooks One venue of the overall Vigilant Guard exercise Driven by intelligence “analysis”

Totally unknown to public Not based on any known threat info Natural vs. intentional

Homeland Security…

…What are the risks?

Module One:

Open the “green” dot

Module One:

Thursday, June 4 FBI offices receive intelligence on potential attack on US

agriculture industry Group called “Reclaim the Earth” belief that genetic

manipulation of livestock & crops will lead to destruction of environment

Friday, June 5 TSA is holding individual suspected with planning attacks

against the U.S. From Lincoln NE, found suspicious and potentially destructive

possessions Outstanding warrant for acts of arson Extensive travel history

Module One: (cont’d)

Monday, June 8 FBI offices have detected increase in terrorist

communications over past 48 hours Wire taps on associates of the “Reclaim the Earth”

suggest group is in latter planning stages of operation Wednesday, June 10

YouTube videos draw attention to threatening the destruction of U.S. agriculture unless policies change

Highlight vulnerabilities of the system “strike at the heart of U.S. agriculture”

Module One: (cont’d)

Monday, June 15 Hard economic times trouble various throughout country Businesses search for ways to cut costs; announcing layoffs and

elimination of jobs Local law enforcement reporting increased levels of violence and

vandalism Wednesday, June 17

FBI receiving unusual increase on reports of suspicious activities University campuses / capitol complex buildings in Midwest

Investigating possible theft of munitions storage facility on a military base

Intercepted messages have heightened concerns of potential threat on state government facilities in Midwest

Presentation…

Intelligence Fusion and Analysis

LTC Matt Oleen

KS Fusion Center

Module Two:

Open the “yellow” dot

Module Two:

Friday, June 19, 3:30 a.m. Initial reports of a loud explosion in Des Moines, Iowa Huge glow of fires seen from far distances Citizen reports of some type of train crash

Friday, June 19, 4:15 a.m. Incident Command established; several resource requests being

dispatched to scene Victims / responders complaining of difficulty breathing and

burning eyes Incident objectives: evacuation of area, emergency care to

victims, contain fires, transport injured Immediate public reaction = Panic Nationwide coverage is continuous / media speculations

challenge response efforts

Module Two: (cont’d)

Friday, June 19, 6:00 a.m. Local EOC is activated Mass casualty event, quickly exceeding county

resources Request for state assistance

WMD specialty teams / National Guard’s Civil Support Team Friday, June 19, 7:30 a.m.

Derailed train was carrying multiple toxic industrial chemicals (chlorine, ammonium ntrate, phosgene, coal, and other harmful elements)

Toxic plum passes over the Iowa Capitol area and later through Des Moines business district

Module Two: (cont’d)

Friday, June 19, 12:00 p.m. Investigators attempt to identify source of derailment Initial search suggests use of train derailing device

No scheduled track maintenance Powerful explosive charge placed against side of rail and

initiated by timer or remote detonator Evidence is demonstrating the event was intentional

and points to key individuals on the FBI watch list Friday, June 19, 3:00 p.m.

Breaking news coverage of intentional aspects of train derailment

Public fear grows and rumors of future attacks are paralyzing nation

Module Two: (cont’d)

Saturday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. FBI receive details of (3) simultaneous SWAT raids

conducted in Des Moines; residences of those possibly tied to rail sabotage.

Evidence holds strong links to further attacks on state government entities in Midwest

Monday, June 22, 9:00 a.m. KS authorities receive report of suspicious activity at

local motel in Topeka Individuals checked out at apx 5:30 a.m. with no

evidence of where they were travelling Sweep of the rooms brought fingerprint match to

person of interest related to Des Moines incident

Module Two: (cont’d)

Monday, June 22, 11:30 a.m. Based on sighting of Des Moines rail saboteur

suspects in Topeka and continued threats to government agencies in the state Governor Parkinson directs key civilian and military

offices to evaluate COOP plans / procedures Briefing requested no later than close of business

today on current readiness levels for COOP

Module Three:

Open the “red” dot

Module Three:

Monday, June 22, 12:30 p.m. Unmarked delivery truck parks in middle of street in

front of Landon State Office Building State employee witnesses individual exit delivery

truck and gets in a gray sedan Employee reports suspicious activity to authorities Local response agencies arrive; matches license to a

reported stolen vehicle near a military base. Before approach actions are taken, response officials

direct a precautionary evacuation of the facilities in the area

Module Three:

Module Three:

Monday, June 22, 1:30 p.m. An explosion from the delivery truck occurs,

vibrating throughout the downtown area Damages are extensive but exact details

currently unknown

Response in Action…

Lt Scott Martin

Capitol Police

Jonathan York

KS Emergency Management

Hotwash

Improvement actions to be completed

Questions / issues to be studied

One thing you plan to share with staff at your agency

Thank you….

… for all your hard work and your participation in today’s discussion-based exercise.

Keep up the Good Work!!!