National Planning Scenarios Fact SheetFact Sheet Background The fifteen all-hazards National Planning Scenarios are an integral component of DHS’s capabilities- based approach to implementing Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8: National Preparedness (HSPD-8). The scenarios serve as the foundation for the development of homeland security tasks, target capabilities, and standards and performance metrics against which capabilities and tasks will ultimately be measured. The scenario-derived capabilities and standards serve as a basis for assessing national preparedness; help guide Federal preparedness assistance to State, local, and tribal governments; and assist in development of national exercises and training programs. Development of the National Planning Scenarios In November 2003, the Homeland Security Council (HSC) and DHS convened an interagency Scenario Working Group (SWG). The objective was to develop the minimum number of representative scenarios required to develop and test the range of required prevention, protection, response, and recovery resources. The SWG refined and vetted fifteen all-hazards planning scenarios. Twelve represent terrorist attacks; three represent natural disasters or naturally-occurring epidemics. This ratio reflects the fact that the Nation has recurring experience with natural disasters but faces newfound dangers, including the increasing potential for use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists. Each of the 15 scenarios follows the same outline to include a detailed scenario description, planning considerations, and implications. The scenarios form the basis for coordinated Federal planning, training, exercises, and grant investments needed to prepare for all-hazards. DHS employed the scenarios as the basis for a rigorous task analysis of prevention, protection, response and recovery missions and identification of key tasks that supported development of essential all-hazards capabilities. The task analysis was used to develop the Target Capabilities List (TCL). The TCL defines 37 specific capabilities that communities, the private sector, and all levels of government should collectively possess in order to respond effectively to all-hazards. National Planning Scenario Prequels For each of the 12 terrorism-related National Planning Scenarios, FEMA National Preparedness Directorate (NPD) partnered with DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and other intelligence community and law enforcement experts to develop and validate prevention prequels. The National Planning Scenario Planning Prequels provide an understanding of terrorists’ motivation, capability, intent, tactics, techniques and procedures and technical weapons data. The Prequels also provide a credible adversary based on known threats to test the homeland security community’s ability to understand and respond to indications and warnings (I&W) of possible terrorist attacks. National Planning Scenario Sets National Planning Scenarios Fact SheetFact Sheet FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Key Scenario Sets National Planning Scenarios 1. Explosives Attack – Bombing Using Improvised Explosive Device Scenario 12: Explosives Attack – Bombing Using Improvised Explo- sive Device 2. Nuclear Attack Scenario 1: Nuclear Detonation – Improvised Nuclear Device 3. Radiological Attack – Radiological Dispersal Device Scenario 11: Radiological Attack – Radiological Dispersal Device 4. Biological Attack – With annexes for different pathogens Scenario 2: Biological Attack – Aerosol Anthrax Scenario 4: Biological Attack – Plague Scenario 13: Biological Attack – Food Contamination Scenario 14: Biological Attack – Foreign Animal Disease 5. Chemical Attack – With annexes for different agents Scenario 5: Chemical Attack – Blister Agent Scenario 6: Chemical Attack – Toxic Industrial Chemicals Scenario 7: Chemical Attack – Nerve Agent Scenario 8: Chemical Attack – Chlorine Tank Explosion 6. Natural Disaster – With annexes for different disasters Scenario 9: Natural Disaster – Major Earthquake Scenario 10: Natural Disaster – Major Hurricane 7. Cyber Attack Scenario 15: Cyber Attack 8. Pandemic Influenza Scenario 3: Biological Disease Outbreak – Pandemic Influenza