"Double Play 2006" Exercise Helps Strengthen the Ability of Federal Departments and Agencies to Maintain Federal Government Operations During Emergency Situations

More than 250 officials representing 47 Federal agencies met in New York City on April 25, 2006 for a day-long exercise that tested and helped strengthen their essential functions in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and their ability to efficiently perform their duties during emergency situations.

The "Double Play 2006" tabletop exercise provided a forum for agencies to validate their Continuity of Operations (COOP) and collaborate on a joint emergency exercise. Some of the agencies that participated in the exercise include the Department of Homeland Security, the General Services Administration, the National Archives and Records Administration, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Postal Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This exercise tested participants in a scenario that involved a Category Three hurricane striking the New York City metropolitan area, causing mass evacuations, severe flooding, road and tunnel closings, suspension of mass transit service, building collapses, and the interruption of telephone, television and Internet communications. A concurrent terrorism incident was also presented to further challenge the participants.

The scenario was designed to provoke discussion of important COOP-related topics and drive agencies to provide action-based feedback of their COOP plan. Topics included alternate facility operations, pre-positioning of equipment and supplies, supporting and restoring essential functions, personnel and vital records management, inter-agency and public communications, delegating and transferring authority and damage and long-term impact assessments. A concluding session allowed participants to review issues raised during the exercise, share best practices and discuss follow-on activities.

"The Double Play 2006 COOP exercise proved to be an invaluable opportunity to increase readiness, identify ways to strengthen our response and recovery capabilities and improve communications with all participating Federal agencies," said Stephen Kempf, Jr, Director of FEMA Region II. "The lessons leaned from this exercise will help us coordinate our efforts and better serve the public during times of emergency."

The Double Play 2006 exercise was developed by the Department of Homeland Security FEMA Region II in conjunction with the Office of National Security Coordination, the General Services Administration (Northeast and Caribbean Region) and the National Archives and Records Administration Northeast Region and was hosted by the Federal Executive Board.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. For information on FEMA, go to www.fema.gov.