NIMS Training & Exercises 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What federal program provides a standardized policy and methodology for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating emergency management exercises?
- National Exercise Coordination Program (NECP)
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) (Correct answer)
- Tabletop exercise (TTX)
- National Preparedness Exercise Program (NPEP)
Correct answer: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
HSEEP is FEMA's doctrine and policy framework for the design, development, conduct, and evaluation of exercises using a capabilities-based approach.
Question 2: Which of the following is classified as a discussion-based exercise under HSEEP?
- Drill
- Full-scale exercise
- Tabletop exercise (TTX) (Correct answer)
- Functional exercise
Correct answer: Tabletop exercise (TTX)
Tabletop exercises are discussion-based, involving key personnel who discuss simulated scenarios in an informal, low-stress setting.
Question 3: Which type of exercise is classified as operations-based and tests a single specific function in a real-time environment?
- Seminar
- Tabletop exercise
- Workshop
- Drill (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Drill
Drills are operations-based exercises that test a single specific operation or function, such as activating an emergency notification system.
Question 4: What document produced after an exercise identifies strengths, areas for improvement, and assigns responsibility for corrective actions?
- Exercise Design Plan (EDP)
- Exercise Evaluation Guide (EEG)
- After Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP) (Correct answer)
- Master Scenario Events List (MSEL)
Correct answer: After Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP)
The AAR/IP documents overall exercise findings and includes an Improvement Plan that assigns corrective actions to responsible parties with target completion dates.
Question 5: Which FEMA independent study course is specifically designed to introduce personnel to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?
- IS-100
- IS-200
- IS-300
- IS-700 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: IS-700
IS-700 (An Introduction to NIMS) is the foundational FEMA course that covers the core concepts, components, and principles of the National Incident Management System.
Question 6: Under NIMS, who bears responsibility for ensuring that personnel complete required NIMS training?
- Only federal agencies
- FEMA's National Training and Education Division exclusively
- Jurisdictions and organizations at all levels of government (Correct answer)
- The Department of Homeland Security exclusively
Correct answer: Jurisdictions and organizations at all levels of government
NIMS establishes that jurisdictions and organizations at all levels — local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal — share responsibility for ensuring trained personnel.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of exercises within the NIMS framework?
- To satisfy federal funding requirements
- To test and validate plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities (Correct answer)
- To identify personnel eligible for promotion
- To fulfill annual reporting obligations
Correct answer: To test and validate plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities
Exercises are conducted to test and validate plans, policies, procedures, and training, helping jurisdictions identify capability gaps before a real incident occurs.
NIMS Training & Exercises 1
What federal program provides a standardized policy and methodology for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating emergency management exercises?