The Vermont Homeland Security Exercise Program provides first responders, volunteers, elected officials, emergency managers, private industry and others a chance to implement those skills necessary to protect lives and property during a simulated catastrophic event. This is accomplished by providing all-hazards exercises that examine the importance of prevention, protection, response, and recovery.
The goal of the Exercise Program is to improve the overall readiness and targeted capabilities of emergency response by validating training, emergency plans and procedures to reveal strengths and weaknesses, demonstrate operational capabilities, and to prepare personnel for real world events. This readiness is implemented through a building block process of seminars, workshops, tabletop exercises, games, drills, functional exercises, and full scale exercises which are defined by the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
Want to hold an exercise but aren't sure where to begin? Contact one of the following personnel based on your location or affiliation:
State or Federal Exercises:
State Exercise Administrator
Eric Forand, (802) 241-5516
eric.forand@vermont.gov
Local Exercises:
Regional Coordinator Northeast
Emily Harris, (800) 347-0488
Emily.Harris@vermont.gov
Regional Coordinator Northwest
Max Kennedy, (800) 347-0488
Max.Kennedy@vermont.gov
Regional Coordinator South
Richard Cogliano, (802) 505-1699
Richard.Cogliano@vermont.gov
Have an interest in becoming an evaluator or controller at a VEM exercise? Attend an HSEEP course to get started. Requirements to maintain status in the evaluator/controller pool include keeping updated with the latest HSEEP version and changes and attendance at a yearly evaluator and controller training.
Exercise Resources
