AECOM supported the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Training and Exercise program, which was designed to enhance regional capabilities to protect, prevent, respond to and recover from disaster emergencies, including acts of terrorism. The initiative involved three major cities, 10 counties, more than 100 incorporated cities, several special districts, transportation agencies and several airports in California.
To strengthen regional emergency response planning and preparedness, AECOM conducted a multidisciplinary, multi-hazards capabilities assessment. AECOM then established benchmarks based on local, state and federal guidelines, including the California Standardized Emergency Management System, the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework. Information gained from past disaster response training and exercises was used to conduct a gap analysis and a capabilities assessment. Based on the results, a five-year Strategic Training and Exercise Plan was developed.
As part of our efforts, we conducted the initial phases of exercise planning and execution for Silver Sentinel 08 (SS08). This Bay Area regional effort tested communications between regional emergency operations centers and the Bay Area’s central emergency operation center. Work included conducting the Concept and Objectives (C&O) meeting and Initial Planning Conference (IPC), developing the Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) and facilitating the Midterm Planning Conference.