Full-Scale Exercise Helps Capital Region Prepare

Project Overview

Hagerty partnered with Dewberry to assist the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) with the National Capital Region (NCR) Tactical Exercise Series (TACEX). The series included two tabletop exercises (TTXs) and one full-scale exercise (FSE). The primary goal was to prepare the NCR for attacks like the terrorist incidents in Mumbai, India, and Beslan, Russia.

Understanding the Mission

The exercises were designed to strengthen the region’s plans for coordinating interoperable communications among emergency response units. These included Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams across different jurisdictions within the NCR. The team used the Incident Command System (ICS) to facilitate coordination during the exercises.

The Hagerty Approach

In collaboration with Dewberry, the Hagerty team designed and led two TTXs. The first TTX focused on team leaders from SWAT and EOD, with representatives from Fire and EMS also participating. The scenario addressed operational challenges involving multiple active shooters who used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and high-powered rifles to take control of a large educational facility. The exercise revealed major policy gaps, which were subsequently addressed and integrated into the second TTX.

The second TTX included Police and Fire Chiefs within the NCR, along with senior officials from state and federal agencies. This exercise focused on refining coordination and communication protocols between agencies in high-stakes scenarios.

The FSE tested the ability of SWAT and EOD teams to coordinate a multi-agency response to a terrorist hostage situation. The scenario involved terrorists holding hostages in a multi-story building, with tactical teams needing to breach the building and neutralize threats while also managing IEDs designed to impede movement and cause injuries. Additionally, the exercise focused on the seamless coordination between tactical teams, fire departments, and EMS units to evacuate trapped personnel and civilians, particularly those on higher floors impacted by fires set by the terrorists.

Achieving Results

The exercises were well-received, and participants gained valuable insights from the realistic, high-pressure scenario. Our team also contributed to debriefing sessions and helped prepare the After Action Reports (AARs) following each exercise. These reports offered actionable recommendations and highlighted areas for improvement, further enhancing the region’s preparedness for real-world threats.

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