Integrated Emergency Management Course

Exercise Simulation System Document (ESSD)

The Exercise Simulation System Document (ESSD) has been prepared for the United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for use by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and other training and exercise organizations at the national, State, local, tribal, territorial governments, the private and nonprofit sectors, and the public.

The ESSD is a compilation of information and resources that would typically be available in any community as they respond to and manage an emergency or disaster in a local community. EMI understands that not all communities are set up like the community described in this document. However, emergency responders and organizations may adapt the ESSD, as appropriate, in support of community-specific exercises and training events.

The ESSD provides support for exercises ranging from the very simple to increasingly complex with participation of all levels of government (i.e., Federal, State, tribal, county, and local). When combined with scenarios, the ESSD facilitates the Incident Action Planning process and allows students to practice the on-scene and off-scene coordination required by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) within the structure of an Emergency Operations Center/Multi-Agency Coordination Center (EOC/MACC).