Exercises

ORAU Helps Strengthen National Security Through Participation in Emergency Preparedness Exercises

The magnitude of a disaster is often unpredictable, but readiness can be carefully planned and practiced to ensure the execution of a coordinated response effort.

In supporting our country’s national security and emergency preparedness readiness initiatives, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) provides full-function exercises, drills and tabletops to prepare the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal and state agencies to effectively respond to emergencies resulting from terrorist acts, accidents or natural disasters.

Our interagency experience and effective customer support has strengthened our reputation as a nationally recognized resource for national security and emergency preparedness.

ORAU develops all elements of the exercise package. We plan, manage, control, respond and evaluate the exercise, helping agencies to develop an effective and efficient response strategy.

We also provide special training exercises that examine a broad scope of actions and outcomes to give an accurate assessment of readiness and allow for changes to be made to preparedness plans.

Our exercises are designed to:

• Highlight organizational strengths
• Pinpoint organizational weaknesses
• Test emergency plans and procedures
• Reinforce teamwork concepts
• Integrate multiple organizations/agencies and their response resources and capabilities

Upon completion of exercise objectives, ORAU assists participants with a "hot wash" and critique where an analysis of decisions and outcomes can be reviewed. We also provide an exercise report to key participants that can be used to improve capabilities and address any identified weaknesses.

Through our exercise support, it is our goal to prepare the United States to counter threats to public safety and security by forging strategic partnerships and strengthening response capabilities among government agencies.