Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack Exercise Series

Project Overview

To prepare for a multi-year complex coordinated terrorist attack (CCTA) program in the Kansas City metropolitan area, a series of strategic exercises was required to assess regional preparedness and the effectiveness of response capabilities. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the planning organization for the bi-state Kansas City area, sought support to implement a comprehensive exercise series. Ultimately, the goal was to validate emergency response plans, policies, and procedures related to a CCTA scenario.

Understanding the Mission

MARC engaged Hagerty to support the design and execution of two tabletop exercises (TTXs) and one limited full-scale exercise (FSE). These efforts specifically focused on enhancing regional coordination across emergency medical services (EMS), hospital systems, law enforcement, emergency management agencies, and MARC. The focus was to address capability gaps and enhance the collaboration of key response agencies in a CCTA scenario.

The Hagerty Approach

Over four months, Hagerty led the development and facilitation of two TTXs. Throughout these efforts, lecture-based training sessions covered essential capabilities for CCTA response. Topics included deploying Rescue Task Force (RTF) teams, using information-sharing tools, and coordinating regional mass casualty plans. The TTXs culminated in a limited FSE that involved 27 hospitals, testing their medical response capabilities in a CCTA scenario.

Achieving Results

The team successfully facilitated the two TTXs and the limited FSE. As a result, participating agencies identified key strengths and critical areas for improvement in their CCTA response strategies. Ongoing training and future exercises will continue to build upon these insights, ensuring sustained enhancement of the region’s preparedness and response capacity.