National Response Framework, Resource Center

On January 26, 2007, the Homeland Security Council’s Deputies Committee unanimously reached agreement on the NEP Charter and on April 11, 2007, the President approved the National Exercise Program (NEP) Implementation Plan. This plan establishes the NEP under the leadership of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

The National Exercise Program (NEP) provides a framework for prioritizing and coordinating Federal, Regional and State exercise activities, without replacing any individual department or agency exercises. The NEP enables Federal, State and local departments and agencies to align their exercise programs. This alignment is achieved by issuing annual NEP exercise planning guidance derived from a strategic review of risks (threats, hazards, vulnerabilities and operational risks), and by outlining a five-year schedule of NEP tiered exercises.

The five year schedule is categorized into four tiers which reflect priorities for participation and outline the procedures for departments and agencies to follow should they want to nominate an exercise to a national level status. Each year one exercise is designated as the National Level Exercise / Tier I event requiring senior level participation among the Federal interagency community. Additional exercises are provided Tier II, III or IV status depending on a variety of qualifying factors.

Within the NEP are tools to support functionary components, such as exercise schedules, policy and guidance, corrective actions, and lessons learned. These programs include the Five-Year Exercise Schedule consisting of categorization of exercise by tiers, the National Exercise Schedule (NEXS), the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Policy and Guidance reference volumes, the Corrective Action Program (CAP) and its companion CAP System, and the Lessons Learned Information Sharing System (LLIS).



		On January 26, 2007, the Homeland Security Council’s Deputies Committee unanimously reached agreement on the NEP Charter and on April 11, 2007, the President approved the National Exercise Program (NEP) Implementation Plan. This plan establishes the NEP under the leadership of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The National Exercise Program (NEP) provides a framework for prioritizing and coordinating Federal, Regional and State exercise activities, without replacing any individual department or agency exercises. The NEP enables Federal, State and local departments and agencies to align their exercise programs. This alignment is achieved by issuing annual NEP exercise planning guidance derived from a strategic review of risks (threats, hazards, vulnerabilities and operational risks), and by outlining a five-year schedule of NEP tiered exercises. The five year schedule is categorized into four tiers which reflect priorities for participation and outline the procedures for departments and agencies to follow should they want to nominate an exercise to a national level status. Each year one exercise is designated as the National Level Exercise / Tier I event requiring senior level participation among the Federal interagency community. Additional exercises are provided Tier II, III or IV status depending on a variety of qualifying factors. Within the NEP are tools to support functionary components, such as exercise schedules, policy and guidance, corrective actions, and lessons learned. These programs include the Five-Year Exercise Schedule consisting of categorization of exercise by tiers, the National Exercise Schedule (NEXS), the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Policy and Guidance reference volumes, the Corrective Action Program (CAP) and its companion CAP System, and the Lessons Learned Information Sharing System (LLIS). Click this link to access the HSEEP Policy and Guidance. Click this link for additional information on the NEXS and CAP Systems. Click this link for additional information about the Lessons Learned Information Sharing System.

Home Contact Us Privacy Policy Important Notices FOIA USA.gov DHS