Full-Scale Exercise (FSE)
The FSE is the most complex step in the exercise cycle.
FSEs are multiagency, multijurisdictional exercises
that test many facets of emergency response and recovery.
They include many first responders operating under the
Incident Command System (ICS) or Unified Command System
(UCS) to effectively and efficiently respond to, and
recover from, an incident. An FSE focuses on implementing
and analyzing the plans, policies, and procedures developed
in discussion-based exercises and honed in previous,
smaller, operations-based exercises. The events are projected
through a scripted exercise scenario with built-in flexibility
to allow updates to drive activity. It is con-ducted
in a real-time, stressful environment that closely mirrors
a real event. First responders and resources are mobilized
and deployed to the scene where they conduct their actions
as if a real incident had occurred (with minor exceptions).
The FSE simulates the reality of operations in multiple
functional areas by presenting complex and realistic
problems requiring critical thinking, rapid problem solving,
and effective responses by trained personnel in a highly
stressful environment. Other entities that are not involved
in the exercise, but who would be involved in an actual
event, should be instructed not to respond.
An FSE provides an opportunity to execute plans, procedures,
and cooperative (mutual aid) agreements in response to
a simulated live event in a highly stressful environment.
Typical FSE attributes include:
Assessing organizational and individual performance Demonstrating interagency cooperation Allocating resources and personnel Assessing equipment capabilities Activating personnel and equipment Assessing interjurisdictional cooperation Exercising public information systems Testing communications systems and procedures Analyzing
memorandums of understanding (MOUs), SOPs, plans, policies,
and procedures
The level of support needed to conduct an FSE is greater
than needed during other types of exercises. The exercise
site is usually extensive with complex site logistics.
Food and water must be supplied to participants and volunteers.
Safety issues, including those surrounding the use of
props and special effects, must be monitored.
FSE controllers ensure that participants' behavior
remains within predefined boundaries. Simulation Cell
(SIMCELL) controllers continuously inject scenario elements
to simulate real events. Evaluators observe behaviors
and compare them against established plans, policies,
procedures, and standard practices (if applicable). Safety
controllers ensure all activity is executed within a
safe environment.
Functional Exercise (FE)
The FE, also known as a command post exercise (CPX),
is designed to test and evaluate individual capabilities,
multiple functions or activities within a function, or
interdependent groups of functions. FEs are generally
focused on exercising the plans, policies, procedures,
and staffs of the direction and control nodes of Incident
Command (IC) and Unified Command (UC). Generally, events
are projected through an exercise scenario with event
updates that drive activity at the management level.
Movement of personnel and equipment is simulated.
The objective of the FE is to execute specific plans
and procedures and apply established policies, plans,
and procedures under crisis conditions, within or by
particular function teams. An FE simulates the reality
of operations in a functional area by presenting complex
and realistic problems that require rapid and effective
responses by trained personnel in a highly stressful
environment. Attributes of an FE include:
Evaluating functions Evaluating Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), headquarters, and staff Reinforcing established policies and procedures Measuring resource adequacy Examining interjurisdictional relationships
Assessing organizational and individual performance
