Determined Accord—Tabletop Exercise 

Fact SheetFact Sheet 

The Devolution of Operations Program supports overall FEMA Headquarters (HQ) Continuity of Operations 
(COOP) planning. The Devolution Program provides procedures, guidance, and organizational structure to 
ensure the continuation of FEMA HQ essential functions in the event the facility is incapacitated and 
personnel are unable to deploy to the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC). 

 

In this situation, HQ management, leadership, and essential functions will devolve to the designated FEMA 
Devolution of Operations sites in Atlanta and Thomasville, Georgia, along with several other FEMA satellite 
and interagency offices. 

 

Benefits 

The Devolution of Operations program addresses a key component of planning identified in Federal 
Continuity Directive 1 (FCD-1), Federal Executive Branch National Continuity Program and Requirements. 
This program supports the functions, operations, and resources necessary to ensure the continuation of 
FEMA HQ Primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEFs) if a disaster, attack, or catastrophe renders 
headquarters personnel unable to sustain operational capability at the FEMA HQ facility or the MWEOC. 

 

Devolution provides for the transfer of statutory authority and responsibility for PMEFs from FEMA HQ 
primary operating staff and facilities to our Devolution Region employees and facilities. 

 

The regional, interagency, and available FEMA HQ staff will serve as the Devolution Emergency Response 
Group (DERG) and assume the responsibility for and execution of FEMA HQ essential functions. The FEMA 
HQ Administrator or his successor will serve as the Devolution Response Group Director. 

 

Recent Accomplishments 

 NCP is in the process of conducting 18 individual Devolution Planning Sessions with each FEMA Office, 
Administration, and Division. The purpose of these sessions is to facilitate discussion between the FEMA HQ 
and the FEMA Regional devolution staff to clarify devolution responsibilities and identify areas requiring 
additional guidance and support. 

 

Next Steps 

. 
Update of FEMA Devolution Plan 
. 
In February 2009, members of the FEMA Branch will meet with Region IV DERG members to review 
information obtained during Devolution Planning Sessions and prepare for Vigilant Accord 2009 
Devolution Exercise 


 

On June 17, 2009 NCP will conduct Vigilant Accord Exercise in Atlanta Georgia – Vigilant Accord will run 
concurrently with Eagle Horizon 09 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work 
together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, 
recover from, and mitigate all hazards.