CATEX Annual Exercise Series
Background
Since 2008, many states and urban areas across the U.S. have been involved in catastrophic planning efforts and projects as part of the FEMA Regional Catastrophic Planning Grant Program (RCPGP). On the East Coast, some of the planning efforts and projects were inclusive of the critical infrastructure owners/operators in several sectors. As part of a regional integrated planning effort, an annual exercise called CATEX was developed between public and private sector participants to focus on several important areas critical to responding and recovering from catastrophic events.
Since 2008, many states and urban areas across the U.S. have been involved in catastrophic planning efforts and projects as part of the FEMA Regional Catastrophic Planning Grant Program (RCPGP). On the East Coast, some of the planning efforts and projects were inclusive of the critical infrastructure owners/operators in several sectors. As part of a regional integrated planning effort, an annual exercise called CATEX was developed between public and private sector participants to focus on several important areas critical to responding and recovering from catastrophic events.
CATEX Overview
The UASIs (e.g. major urban areas of New York City, District of Columbia, Philadelphia, PA & Newark, NJ) set a priority goal to integrate public and private sector planning for both catastrophic and non-catastrophic incidents along the I-95 Corridor and within FEMA Regions 2&3. Their intent is to create and sustain a regional planning and response framework that also includes the states, FEMA, and the critical infrastructure owners and operators in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Initially CATEX will focus on expediting power restoration, but will include other critical infrastructure sectors of fuel, water, food, transportation,
The CATEX (CATastrophic EXercise) multi-year exercise program will annually engage a several private sector “sectors” with multiple states in a multi-state tabletop and/or limited functional exercise using a scenario(s) in order to establish a framework for discussion and further promote integrated planning efforts and partnerships. CATEX will run for 2013, 2014, and 2015.
The UASIs (e.g. major urban areas of New York City, District of Columbia, Philadelphia, PA & Newark, NJ) set a priority goal to integrate public and private sector planning for both catastrophic and non-catastrophic incidents along the I-95 Corridor and within FEMA Regions 2&3. Their intent is to create and sustain a regional planning and response framework that also includes the states, FEMA, and the critical infrastructure owners and operators in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Initially CATEX will focus on expediting power restoration, but will include other critical infrastructure sectors of fuel, water, food, transportation,
The CATEX (CATastrophic EXercise) multi-year exercise program will annually engage a several private sector “sectors” with multiple states in a multi-state tabletop and/or limited functional exercise using a scenario(s) in order to establish a framework for discussion and further promote integrated planning efforts and partnerships. CATEX will run for 2013, 2014, and 2015.
There are several drivers for this multi-year exercise concept:
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The planning process at the State and UASI levels has provided a catalyst to initiate the integration of the private sector into the operational plans of States and jurisdictions, but it requires a sustainment mechanism for ultimate success. The key element for sustainment is the role of DHS, and in particular FEMA, as it relates to several significant initiatives. These include the recent National Preparedness Goals and the “Whole of Community” initiative. This exercise will serve to heighten the requirements of multi FEMA regional coordination and National FEMA involvement for impacts resulting from catastrophic events or attacks impacting the multiple States within the AHC community.
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In 2011, the UASIs of DC, NYC, Phila and NJ, along with the related states of VA,WV,PA,DE,MD, NJ & NY, formed a regional working group called the East Coast Corridor Coalition (EC3) (formerly known as the Eastern Urban Area Executive Committee) to help guide this “mega-region” efforts and facilitate the process on specific projects with each other and the private sector. The EC3’s primary focus is coordinating the efforts of multiple states, federal agencies and private sector owners/operators into the planning process for major and/or catastrophic events within the corridor in an effort to coordinate government’s response and get “business back to business”.
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As part of their business continuity efforts and investments, private sector owner/operators of critical infrastructure (e.g. power, telecommunications, transportation, food, water, housing, banks, etc..) are interested in leveraging government’s regional efforts and are supportive of joint planning and exercises with state/local governments in order to further validate their plans, identify gaps, and explore opportunities to coordinate their operations with state/local government. This is something that they would help fund and support the planning process.
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Current Status
As of May 2013, the CATEX exercise series is underway. Several joint planning meetings and workshops have been held. Funding for 2013 is provided by the NCR UASI’s RCPGP exercise project. This multi-year effort is being guided by the states and urban areas in FEMA Region III (VA, DC, WV, DC, DE, & PA). FEMA Region II states (NJ, NY) will participate as “observers” in 2013 and full participants in 2104 and beyond.
Following SANDY, the private sector organized their own regional working group called the Multi-State Fleet Response WG which will focus on expedited power restoration and resource movement across state lines. The AHC is facilitating the multi-state planning process and serving as executive secretariat for the process. Overview provided.
As of May 2013, the CATEX exercise series is underway. Several joint planning meetings and workshops have been held. Funding for 2013 is provided by the NCR UASI’s RCPGP exercise project. This multi-year effort is being guided by the states and urban areas in FEMA Region III (VA, DC, WV, DC, DE, & PA). FEMA Region II states (NJ, NY) will participate as “observers” in 2013 and full participants in 2104 and beyond.
Following SANDY, the private sector organized their own regional working group called the Multi-State Fleet Response WG which will focus on expedited power restoration and resource movement across state lines. The AHC is facilitating the multi-state planning process and serving as executive secretariat for the process. Overview provided.
Expected Outcomes
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This initiative will serve several purposes simultaneously:
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The secondary benefit from this initiative would be:
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CATEX Participants
Participants include all states, urban areas and private sector owners/operators of critical infrastructure within electric, food and fuel sectors in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions, FEMA, DHS departments, Other related federal agencies
Participants include all states, urban areas and private sector owners/operators of critical infrastructure within electric, food and fuel sectors in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions, FEMA, DHS departments, Other related federal agencies
CATEX Locations
2013: Washington D.C.
2014: Long Island City, NY
2015: Philadelphia, PA
2013: Washington D.C.
2014: Long Island City, NY
2015: Philadelphia, PA