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Exercises and Planning

ORAU helps state and federal agencies prepare effective policies and plans for emergency response exercises

Emergency Planning Exercise Participants

Because of our extensive experience in the national security and emergency management arenas, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is often involved in the development of exercise policies, procedures, plans and guidelines that ensure a consistent, effective response effort.

Our timely, solutions-oriented, operational advice and assistance has been recognized by our customers across the country, whether the situation requires expertise in specialized training or real-time response to incidents involving weapons of mass destruction or terrorism.

Some recent examples of our exercise and planning support success stories include:

Amber Waves 2012ORAU coordinates tabletop exercise to help agencies prepare for the threat of dirty bombs

ORAU assisted the U.S. Department of Energy in delivering a series of training events, referred to as Amber Waves 2012, which were designed to foster interagency collaboration among federal, state, and local organizations with stakes in a radiological emergency response.

Bureau of Reclamation Critical Infrastructure Exercise ProgramORAU plans full-scale exercises to test security at major U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dams

ORAU supports BOR’s exercise program by providing operational assistance and expertise for five national-critical exercise facilities, including Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam.

First RespondersORAU helps DOE operations protect its employees and the public through Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG)

For more than 20 years, ORAU has managed the Emergency Management Issues Special Interest Group (EMI SIG), which fosters the exchange of information, ideas, resources and products to support the DOE/NNSA emergency management community.

Empire 09ORAU to serve as principal planner for Empire 09 emergency management exercise

ORAU assisted the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as it tested the technical response to a release of a radiological dispersal device in a U.S. urban environment during the Empire 09 exercise.

Golden Guardian ExerciseORISE serves as lead planner for Golden Guardian exercises that test California’s emergency preparedness

ORISE supports the California Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) through planning for the annual Golden Guardian exercises.

Mobile JICORAU toolkit helps public information officers create a mobile Joint Information Center

ORAU has developed a “JIC in a Box” tool to assist public information officials in determining their mobile communication capabilities.

Emergency Response PersonnelORAU helps customers integrate National Incident Management System

Our expertise in training, exercise planning and management is helping us to support the state of California in its efforts to integrate NIMS throughout its emergency exercise design and execution processes.

No Notice ExerciseORAU assists NRAT in first-ever maritime “No-Notice” exercise

ORAU administered a “no-notice” exercise program for DOE to assess the readiness of radiological emergency response assets and to validate existings plans, policies and procedures.

ORAU prepares nations to fight nuclear smuggling

ORAU has extended its national security expertise to assist government leaders and law enforcement in many countries as they unite in efforts to apprehend and prosecute nuclear materials smugglers.

ORAU and 2009 presidential inauguration: Widespread involvement in unprecedented national security event

While millions crowded downtown Washington, D.C., to celebrate Barack Obama’s historic inauguration, 25 ORAU emergency preparedness personnel were hard at work.