APHIS Factsheet

Veterinary Services March 2013

Questions and Answers: 

The National Veterinary 

Stockpile’s Exercise 

Program 

The National Veterinary Stockpile (NVS) program, 

coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), provides support to States, Tribes, and 

Territories responding to damaging animal disease 

outbreaks. Within 24 hours, the NVS can provide 

veterinary countermeasures—including certain types 

of animal vaccines, antivirals, supplies, equipment, and 

response services—to animal health officials in affected 

areas. To learn more about this program, see the NVS 

factsheet on APHIS’ Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/

publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/

veterinary_stockpile.pdf.

As part of NVS efforts, we conduct an exercise program 

to help our partners prepare logistically for an animal 

health emergency response.

Q. What is the NVS exercise program, and who 

is involved?

A. The NVS exercise program is designed to provide 

a training environment for participants to practice the 

NVS request process and validate their animal disease 

response plans. The program involves Federal, State, 

Tribal, Territorial, and local government officials, as 

well as our staff and “3D” (depopulation, disposal, and 

decontamination) contractors.

Q. Why does NVS hold these exercises?

A. These exercises help our partners learn how to 

effectively request, receive (i.e., receipt), process, and 

distribute NVS countermeasures during an animal 

disease event. By discussing the process ahead 

of time and conducting discussion- and operationsbased exercises, everyone involved becomes more 

confi dent in their role. This advance communication 

and preparation then allows the process to fl ow more 

smoothly should an actual event occur.

Q. What types of exercises does NVS conduct?

A. We conduct two types of exercises: discussionbased exercises and operations-based exercises.

Discussion-based exercises include seminars, workshops, 

and tabletop exercises. These experiences allow our 

partners to learn more about the program, develop their 

plans, and use simulated scenarios to assess those 

plans, policies, and procedures.

Operations-based exercises include drills and full-scale 

exercises. These types of exercises test and validate 

NVS processes, our response services and support 

contractors, and partner response capabilities and 

procedures.

We use Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation 

Program guidelines in conducting these exercises to 

ensure the highest level of preparation.

Q. If my State, Tribe, or Territory wants to partner 

with NVS to conduct a full-scale exercise, what do 

we need to do?

A. The fi rst step toward a full-scale exercise is to create 

a written NVS plan if you do not already have one in 

place. The NVS State-Federal Liaison (see contact 

information below) will work with you to review available 

planning tools, conduct seminars, and help develop 

your written plan. 

We select our full-scale exercise partners based on 

current NVS priorities, APHIS goals and directives, 

lessons learned and corrective actions from previous 

exercises/training events, and available resources. 

Q. How far out are NVS exercises planned?

A. We plan exercises several years ahead of when they 

are conducted.

Q. Who should I contact with questions about 

NVS’ exercise program?

A. Questions about the NVS exercise program 

should be directed to Dr. Lee Myers, the NVS StateFederal Liaison, at lee.m.myers@aphis.usda.gov or 

(301) 910-7336. You can also contact the NVS office 

at nvs@aphis.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture