1. Virtual National Training and Exercise Symposium April 17, 2013
Exercises and Experimentation: Using Simulation and Brining in Innovation
Virtual National Training and Exercise Symposium
April 17, 2013

2. Agenda Special Guest: FEMA Chief Innovation Advisor
The National Exercise Simulation Center (NESC)
Using Modeling and Simulation in Training and Exercising
Using Innovation and Experimentation in Exercises
Special Guest: FEMA Chief Innovation Advisor

3. NESC Foundation est. Jan 12, 2009
References & Authority
Sec. 664, DHS Appropriations Act, 2007 (H.R. 5441)
Sec , Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006
Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned, page 119
Organization Placement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Preparedness Directorate (NPD)
National Training, Education and Exercise Division (NTEED)
National Exercise Division (NED)
In partnership with DHS Science and Technology

4. NESC Overview Support of PPD-8 and DHS/FEMA Mission
NESC Mission
Enhance preparedness across the Whole Community by providing access to state-of-the-art modeling and simulation by promoting effective and efficient planning, training, education, exercise, operations, and evaluation services for all mission areas.
In support of key preparedness policies and systems—including Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8): National Preparedness, the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System, which includes the National Training and Education System (NTES), and the National Exercise Program (NEP):
Provides customized tiered services to support a range of planning, training, education, exercise, operations, and evaluation needs.
Provides mix of integrated live, virtual and constructive simulations that support the Whole Community and enable the next generation of preparedness.
Provide the evaluation of next-generation of technology to help improve decision making amongst homeland security professionals.
Designed to serve as a “hub” for distributed planning, training, education, exercise, operations, and evaluation capabilities, giving users access to a variety of services and tools through a central access point.

5. NESC Overview (con’t) Major Initiatives
Services: Tiered Services to support multiple components of the National Preparedness System.
Technology: Enterprise Platform to enable the services and connect cross-domain capabilities
Partnerships: Engage the community and foster a collaborative network of experts and tools
Facilities: Provide a Center, virtually and physically, for collaboration and knowledge sharing
Integrated Modeling and Simulation, more than just exercises… Currently supporting training/education, planning, and real-world analytics

6. Using Modeling and Simulation in Training and Exercising (cont.)
HSEEP 2013 Model A model is a representation of a system at a point in time or space intended to expand an understanding of the real system. Simulation (1) An electronic simulation is a method for predicting the results of implementing a model over time, i.e., modeling and simulation. (2) Simulation of nonparticipating personnel and agencies is a technique for increasing realism in exercises.

7. Using Modeling and Simulation in Training and Exercising (cont.)
HSEEP 2013
Planning Activities
Modeling and simulation planning;
Exercise Design
Scenario: Modeling and Simulation - “When incorporated into the development of the scenario and overall exercise design, modeling and simulation can bring versatility, cost savings, and fidelity to exercises…”

8. Using Modeling and Simulation in Training and Exercising (cont.)
Improvement Planning (M&S re-use)
Reuse and replay previously developed exercise scenarios
Develop and reuse standardized exercises to assess readiness
Strategy Planning
Search for and use models that support the exercise
Support both discussion- and operations-based exercises
Design and Development
Apply science-based analysis (e.g., by changing location of attack, a critical asset is affected which supports exercising objective 1)
Create quantitative injects (e.g., “for NLE10 scenario, X number of hospital surge beds, Y number of ventilators required.”)
Conduct
Alter ground truth during exercise, as needed
Provide data visualization to enhance situational awareness
Evaluation
Evaluate player actions with analysis data (e.g., “by taking this action, the Incident Commander helped reduce the fatality rate significantly”)
Replay exercise events and do what-if scenarios

9. Using Modeling and Simulation in Training and Exercising (cont.)
National Level Exercise (NLE)
2010: Provided ground truth data and exercise injects for an Improvised Nuclear Device terrorist attack; detonation in Indianapolis.
2011: Provided ground truth data and exercise injects, created a reusable earthquake template that can be readily used to generate scenario data in other locations.
2012: Provide model-based info for a Cyber attack to exercise planners in the scenario development process and a capability to view integrate modeling and simulation results to enhance situational awareness and the common operating picture during exercise conduct
2014: TBD
State and Local
2012: Golden Guardian (Earthquake), UT Great ShakeOut (Earthquake)
2013: FL Statewide Exercise (Hurricane), FEMA Region II Blue Surge (Tsunami)

10. Using Innovation and Experimentation in Exercises
What is being done now (experimentation and gaming)
Game - A game is a simulation of operations that often involves two or more teams, usually in a competitive environment, using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or hypothetic situation. Games explore the consequences of player decisions and actions and are therefore excellent tools to use when validating or reinforcing plans and procedures or evaluating resource requirements .
Future Activities
Case Study: Gaming for preparedness (UNICEF)

11. Using Innovation and Experimentation in Exercises
What is the FEMA Think Tank?
“…reaching out to state, local, and tribal governments, and to all members of the public, including the private sector, the disability community, and volunteer community, to seek their input on how to improve the emergency management system.”
The FEMA Think Tank has two main components:
Online Forum
Monthly Conference Call Discussions
Check it out!