FEMA’s National Exercise Division released the comprehensive executive summary of the National Level Exercise (NLE) 2022. The exercise, which was conducted throughout 2022, aimed to explore and evaluate the combined response and recovery capabilities of various entities, including governmental bodies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to a catastrophic event. 

The Core Disaster Scenario: 

The primary scenario involved a 9.0 magnitude earthquake causing the 700-mile Cascadia Subduction Zone fault line to rupture. The earthquake led to cascading disasters, including subsequent tsunamis, aftershocks, and flooding across the Pacific Northwest.  

Adapting to Real-World Dynamics: 

In a bid to mirror real-world circumstances and evolving threats during the planning phase, there were departures from the conventional NLE design. As a result, the NLE 2022 transformed into a series of 55 engagements, each tailor-made to address specific requirements and outcomes. These engagements were grouped under five national-level objectives with related focus areas. This wide-ranging series of events emphasized fostering collaboration between federal, state, local, Tribal Nations and Organizations, private industry, and NGOs. Such collaborations are fundamental to bolstering national preparedness. 

Key Insights from the NLE 2022 After-Action Report: 

NLE 2022’s After-Action Report (AAR) offers invaluable insights. It pinpoints strengths that emerged during the exercise, suggests potential best practices, and identifies areas that require further refinement and improvement. All these findings are elaborated upon in the executive summary, a must-read for governments and other stakeholders aiming to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities. 

The findings of the NLE 2022 Executive Summary are available for download on FEMA.gov. 

Tidal Basin’s PREM Team Elevates Disaster Readiness 

Tidal Basin’s Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Management (PREM) team is well versed in conducting effective training and scenario exercises to help our clients across the nation become better equipped to handle a disaster should it occur.  

Read about our recent Crisis Leadership Team Hybrid Workshop and Tabletop Exercise that was conducted for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) by our PREM team alongside the Crisis Leadership Team (CLT) which consisted of LAWA executives and city partners including the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Mayor’s office, and the Lost Angeles Emergency Management Department. The CLT also included federal partners like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Customs and Border Protection, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

This is just one example of the highly effective scenario-based training and exercises that our team can deliver for your organization. Learn more about our PREM capabilities and offerings by visiting our Preparedness page.