Preparedness Directorate U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20531 Preparedness Directorate Information Bulletin No. 222 October 18, 2006 TO: All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors All Urban Area Core City/Core County Points of Contact FROM: Jim Kish Director, Exercise and Evaluation Division Preparedness Directorate, Department of Homeland Security SUBJECT: Reinstatement of the Direct Support Exercise Program On May 11, 2006, Information Bulletin #206 announced the temporary suspension of Direct Support Exercise Program activities, including support for State and local exercises, Training and Exercise Plan Workshops (T&EPWs), and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Mobile Training Course. This suspension was due to the need for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Preparedness Directorate to refocus resources and Exercise Support Teams, at the direction of the Secretary, to support two national priorities— the Hurricane Preparedness Exercises (HPEs) and the Tactical Interoperable Communication Plan (TICP) Validation Exercises. Both of these initiatives are nearing completion. Direct Support Exercise Program activities will recommence upon dissemination of this Information Bulletin. This includes support for the following activities: • Discussion-based Exercises (Support for Operation-based exercises will not be available until a later date; a separate Information Bulletin will be released to announce support for these exercises.) • T&EPWs • HSEEP Mobile Training Course Exercises and T&EPWs Due to contractual restrictions, a limited quantity of direct exercise support is available to States and Territories. In Fiscal Year 2007, each State and Territory will be offered direct support for one discussion-based exercise (i.e., seminar, workshop or tabletop), one operations-based exercise (another information bulletin will be released when support is available for operations-based exercises), and one T&EPW for a total of three direct support opportunities. If contractual restrictions are lifted, an Information Bulletin will be disseminated to announce additional flexibility. State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) are to determine their direct support priorities and submit one application for each type of exercise offered. Metropolitan regions designated under the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) should submit applications to their respective SAA. Applications will be reviewed utilizing the criteria outlined in the Direct Exercise Support Application and Users Handbook. States and Territories anticipating the need for direct support in Fiscal Year 2007 must submit all applications to DHS no later than January 31, 2007. This suspense date will allow DHS to best manage and align available resources. SAAs which submitted applications during the suspension of the Direct Support Exercise Program will be contacted by their DHS Exercise Manager to discuss the status and disposition of their application. HSEEP Mobile Training Course With the reinstatement of the Direct Support Exercise Program, DHS will begin delivering the HSEEP Mobile Training Course, a DHS-certified training course. In Fiscal Year 2007, each State and Territory is eligible to receive one Train-the-Trainer delivery of the HSEEP Mobile Training Course. The Train-the-Trainer delivery of the HSEEP Mobile Training Course is a three and one half day delivery that accommodates up to fifty participants. States and Territories may wish to host a regional session, in which multiple States and/or Territory representatives attend. SAAs should select trainers and instructor-level personnel from multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. Utilizing the materials and instruction acquired through the Train-the Trainer course, these personnel will be expected to provide future HSEEP Mobile Training Course deliveries within their respective States and Territories. Instructor materials for the HSEEP Mobile Training Course will only be released to personnel who have attended a Train-the- Trainer delivery of the course. States and Territories requesting an HSEEP Mobile Training Course delivery in Fiscal Year 2007 must apply by no later than January 31, 2007. This suspense date will allow DHS to best align and schedule resources for a nationwide rollout of the course. DHS anticipates providing additional deliveries of the course in the future; however, States and Territories should only submit one application for the Train-the-Trainer delivery at this time. A separate information bulletin will be released to announce any further availability of the HSEEP Mobile Training Course. Applying for Direct Support There are two distinct direct support applications—one for exercises and T&EPWs, and one for the HSEEP Mobile Training Course. To apply for direct support, please visit the HSEEP website at www.hseep.dhs.gov and complete the appropriate application. Please email the application to hseep@dhs.gov. The correct application must be submitted and received in order for DHS to approve the request. For questions or comments regarding the reinstatement of the Direct Support Exercise Program, please send email to hseep@dhs.gov. 2