DHS Conducts Continuity of Operations Exercise

Press Release

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted an exercise to test the readiness and capabilities of federal departments and agencies—coordinating with the White House—to execute their Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans today. The exercise, known as Eagle Horizon, is a mandatory annual exercise for all executive branch departments and agencies coordinated by DHS through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its National Continuity Programs (NCP) Directorate.

"Today's exercise was critical to testing our continuity of operations procedures and ensuring coordination across the federal government in the event of a major emergency," said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. "A carefully designed and well-practiced national continuity plan significantly enhances our ability to react swiftly and effectively to any incident we may face."

In a national emergency, federal departments and agencies may be required to relocate to alternate sites. Eagle Horizon simulates such an event—and triggers the cohesive, overlapping national continuity plan vital to the continued performance of essential government functions.

The exercise focused on coordination between federal agencies and tested Federal Executive Branch Continuity alert, notification, and deployment procedures as well as interagency continuity communications. Emergency Relocation Group members were sent by their respective agencies to pre-planned alternate locations and asked to implement COOP procedures.

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