The Comprehensive Exercise Program (CEP)

The objective of the CEP is to improve the proficiency of Federal, State, and local governments to perform emergency management functions in an efficient and timely manner.

The CEP consists of six components:

1. A multi-year exercise schedule developed in coordination with other Federal departments and agencies, FEMA regions, State and local governments, volunteer organizations and the private sector, if appropriate.

2. The publication of guidance that provides methodologies for designing, developing, conducting and evaluating exercises, including a corrective action process.

3. Training/courses to be used by personnel selected to serve as designers, controllers, or evaluators for exercises will be made available to exercise planners at the Federal, regional, State and local level.

4. CEP implementation working groups at the Federal, regional, State and local levels to plan and coordinate the exercise program.

5. Exercises of various types structured to address the complete spectrum of hazards and emergency management functions consisting of both FEMA-sponsored and FEMA-supported events.

6. Corrective Action Process.

Comprehensive Exercise Program Working Group (CEPWG)

The CEPWG is comprised of one individual from each of the 10 FEMA Regions, one individual from a State within each Region and Program Development Branch personnel. The Chief, Program Development Branch, Readiness Division, chairs the CEPWG.

The CEPWG was chartered to provide a forum for emergency management exercise personnel at the FEMA Regions and their State and local governments to share concepts in the development, implementation and operation of the CEP.

The Program Development Branch is assembling a series of tools designed to assist Federal, State, and local emergency managers in the development and execution of exercises. These tools will be available through this site.

For more information, you may email Mr. Martin Garshak.