USDA APHIS Veterinary Services 

Emergency Preparedness and Response 

Training and Exercise Strategy and Plan

Fiscal Years 2024-2026

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Preface

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) leads the way in helping our nation prepare for potential 

animal health emergencies that can threaten the U.S. economy and/or animal agriculture 

industries. The USDA, as the lead federal agency for responding to animal disease outbreaks, 

works in partnership with state, tribal, and territorial animal health officials and animal 

agriculture industries, to provide leadership and support for national, regional, and state-specific 

responses. VS is the branch of the USDA charged with providing the technical lead for the 

federal response to animal agriculture health emergencies. VS and the other branches of the 

USDA can also provide support in emergencies or disasters where the USDA is not the lead 

federal agency. To meet its missions and roles of providing technical leadership and guidance, 

VS relies on a robust program of training and exercises to achieve and maintain its levels of 

preparedness and capacity to provide support. This program is the VS National Training and 

Exercise Program (NTEP).

The VS NTEP follows the principles of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 

National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Homeland Security Exercise and 

Evaluation Program (HSEEP). All VS units are engaged and collaborate with external 

stakeholder emergency responders throughout the training and exercise planning process. This 

process began in FY 2014 and is conducted annually to refine the VS Emergency Preparedness 

and Response Training/Exercise Strategy and Plan (TEP).

VS will continue to enhance its capabilities to prepare for and respond to animal health 

emergencies. A well-conceived training and exercise strategy and a methodical multi-year plan 

provide the roadmap that guides VS through the preparedness cycle to achieve its preparedness 

and response mission and goals.
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Program Highlights

Accomplishments Report

The NTEP is jointly managed by the VS Strategy and Policy (S&P) and Professional People 

Training (PPT) Units with guidance from the 49-member VS NTEP core planning team. The 

core planning team is composed of representatives from each VS organizational business unit, 

multiple APHIS programs, and state partners. 

The USDA APHIS VS TEP provides a detailed roadmap to enhance emergency response 

capabilities and identify training and exercise priorities and objectives that support the VS 

emergency preparedness strategy. The VS TEP adds practical value by outlining a multi-year 

schedule of training and exercise Events directly linked to its priorities and objectives. 

Despite the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the Highly Pathogenic 

Avian Influenza (HPAI) response, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 was a highly active year for the VS 

NTEP. In FY 2022, there were 113 activities that aligned with the VS NTEP priorities and 

objectives. Fifty-three of those activities were hosted by external stakeholder emergency 

response organizations and 60 were VS NTEP Events. The VS NTEP conducted the same 

number of Events in FY 2021 and FY 2022, with two additional Events in FY 2023, with an 

emphasis on webinars and online exercises. This emphasis was due to the COVID-19 pandemic 

and the ongoing HPAI response. All Events engaged both VS and external emergency response 

stakeholders to the extent possible. Events included both training initiatives and HSEEPcompliant exercises. Working groups were formed for each Event and open to VS NTEP team 

members, subject matter experts, industry, and other stakeholders impacted by the Event. 

Working groups were established for each Event and met regularly throughout the year, 

primarily through virtual means, to address the Program’s goals and objectives. In FY 2022, the 

VS NTEP relied on more than 250 individual volunteers, working on 60 Events outlined in the 

VS TEP, and delivering more than 10,000 hours of support. On average, one VS NTEP 

volunteer participated in three to four workgroups. Other Events highlighted in this report were 

conducted by collaborating and coordinating with stakeholder groups outside of the VS NTEP.

VS recognizes the wisdom in developing a VS NTEP strategy and identifying program-wide VS 

NTEP priorities to assure its emergency preparedness and response mission will continue to be 

achieved. Implementing the strategy and plan proved to be of great value in numerous high/low 

pathogenicity avian influenza emergency responses, the 2016 New World Screwworm 

emergency response, the 2018-2020 Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) emergency response, the 

2018 Agriculture Resource Management and Response (ARMAR) Functional Exercise, 2019 

Swine Fever Exercise for Agricultural Response (SFEAR) Functional Exercise, and the 2021 

Foreign Animal Disease Southern Agriculture Functional Exercise (FAD SAFE). This 

preparedness process continues to build response capabilities as described in the 23 VS Foreign 

Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP) critical activities. This, in turn,

enhances the Nation’s preparedness to respond effectively to the next high-consequence foreign 

animal disease (FAD)/emerging disease incident (EDI) and/or pest response requiring emergency 

responders for multiple rotations.
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Current Plan Highlights

The VS NTEP hosted its annual Training and Exercise Planning Workshop (TEPW) on April 4-

6, 2023. This year, the workshop was held in Riverdale, Maryland, and virtually, through the 

ZoomTM video conferencing platform. During the workshop, the VS NTEP core planning team 

reviewed and revised its three-year training and exercise plan, including the strategy, priorities, 

objectives, and Events to enhance response preparedness throughout the animal health 

community. The 49-member VS NTEP core planning team represents all VS units and multiple 

external partner organizations. 

The Events identified in the VS TEP address the key program priorities: building the VS NTEP 

program, training VS and external stakeholder emergency responders, and exercising VS and 

external stakeholder emergency responder capabilities. Consideration of these priorities 

provided opportunities to create new workgroups to address unmet needs. During the FY 2023

TEPW, the core planning team identified four new Events focusing on engaging external 

emergency response stakeholders, developing just-in-time biosecurity training, environmental 

impacts during an animal health response, Section-specific drills for incident management teams, 

depopulation and disposal plan development, and an animal movement standstill workshop to 

discuss international cross-border issues. Many of the Events are multi-year, focusing on a 

workshop to develop a response plan, validating the plan through a tabletop exercise, and 

conducting a drill to test the plan.
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Points of Contact

Professional People Training

Ms. Liz D. Fernandez

Laboratory Training Specialist

USDA, APHIS, VS, RPS, PO, Professional People Training (PPT)

Elizabeth.D.Fernandez@usda.gov

Field Operations

Dr. Julie Gauthier

Associate Deputy Administrator, Field Operations (FiOps)

USDA, APHIS, VS, FiOps

Julie.Gauthier@usda.gov

Strategy and Policy

Dr. Jon Zack

Director, National Preparedness and Incident Coordination (NPIC) Center

USDA, APHIS, VS, Strategy and Policy, NPIC

Jonathan.T.Zack@usda.gov

Dr. Barbara Porter-Spalding

Senior Staff Officer, NPIC

USDA, APHIS, VS, Strategy and Policy, NPIC

Barbara.A.Porter-Spalding@usda.gov
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Table of Contents

Preface.............................................................................................................................................. i

Program Highlights........................................................................................................................iii

Accomplishments Report...........................................................................................................iii

Current Plan Highlights ............................................................................................................. iv

Points of Contact............................................................................................................................. v

Professional People Training ...................................................................................................... v

Field Operations.......................................................................................................................... v

Strategy and Policy ..................................................................................................................... v

Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................... vii

VS Training and Exercise Strategy................................................................................................. 1

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 1

VS Training and Exercise Team................................................................................................. 1

VS Strategy and Policy ............................................................................................................... 2

VS Professional People Training ................................................................................................ 3

VS Field Operations and VS Diagnostics and Biologics............................................................ 3

VS Strategic Foundations and New Strategic Directions........................................................... 4

APHIS Strategic Plan.................................................................................................................. 5

National Security Memorandum 16............................................................................................ 6

Federal HSEEP ........................................................................................................................... 6

VS Training and Exercise Resources.......................................................................................... 7

VS Training and Exercise Partnerships ...................................................................................... 8

VS Training and Exercise Accountability .................................................................................. 8

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 8

VS Training and Exercise Plan (TEP) FY 2024-2026.................................................................. 11

Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 11

Priorities, Objectives, and Events............................................................................................. 12

Priority 1: Build the VS NTEP Program.............................................................................. 12

Priority 2: Train VS and External Stakeholder Emergency Responders............................. 15

Priority 3: Exercise VS and External Stakeholder Emergency Responder Capabilities ..... 20

Appendix A: VS National Training and Exercise Team FY 2023 .............................................. 27

Appendix B: National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities ...................................................... 29

Appendix C: HSEEP Exercise Types.......................................................................................... 33

Appendix D: Available Trainings and Exercises......................................................................... 37

Appendix E: Closed VS NTEP Events........................................................................................ 45

Appendix F: Acronyms................................................................................................................ 59
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VS Training and Exercise Strategy

Introduction

The Animal Health Protection Act gives VS the authority and provides the foundation for animal 

health emergency preparedness and response activities. VS has a long history of responding to 

animal health emergencies and incidents, and it continues its mission of supporting the 

prevention and control of select domestic and FADs that can threaten U.S. public health, animal 

health, animal agriculture, the food supply, and the economy. The HPAI outbreak that 

devastated poultry producers during the winter of 2014 and spring of 2015 was the worst animal 

disease event in U.S. history until HPAI re-emerged in February 2022. The 2014-2015 outbreak

affected more than 48 million birds in 21 states before the final infected flock detection on June 

17, 2015. As of June 2023, the current HPAI outbreak has impacted 49 states and caused the 

depopulation of more than 57.5 million birds. These two outbreaks, and the 2018-2020 vND 

outbreak in California, fully engaged state and federal response agencies. The broad scope of 

these outbreaks stressed federal, state, and industry resources and identified areas where greater 

coordination, preparation, and communication were needed. 

Federal, state, tribal, territorial, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and other 

partners, expect VS to continue leading emergency preparations and responses to foreign animal 

diseases (FAD) and emerging disease incidents (EDI), and to provide support for other animal 

health incidents. Comprehensive training and exercises (T&E) build skills and provide muchneeded practice before an actual incident occurs. VS recognizes the wisdom in refining its T&E 

strategy and identifying program-wide T&E priorities to assure that its emergency preparedness 

and response mission continues to be improved. This process is particularly important 

considering periodic reductions in agency resources. Disease outbreaks, new and emerging 

diseases, and other national events will continue to drive changes in response strategy and 

resource requirements. 

Preparing VS employees to serve as animal health emergency responders through targeted T&E 

events not only meets VS leadership and guidance obligations but also provides VS with 

capabilities to potentially support other incidents when it is not the technical lead agency. The 

VS emergency preparedness and response strategy is to prepare, through training and exercises, 

for a high-consequence FAD, EDI, or pest emergency requiring a comprehensive response over a 

prolonged period.

VS Training and Exercise Team

The VS Executive Team supports the VS NTEP process using a team approach of providing 

representatives from each VS unit and encouraging external stakeholder emergency responders

to participate. A representative from the VS PPT and an NPIC Staff Officer co-lead the core 

planning team. Representatives of federal supporting agencies, multi-state alliances, and single 

states are also included on the core planning team. See Appendix A for a list of members on the 

VS NTEP core planning team for FY 2023. 

The VS NTEP core planning team conducted its annual VS TEPW in April 2023 in Riverdale, 

Maryland, and virtually. The workshop updated the T&E strategy and plan by incorporating the 

principles and guidance from the HSEEP and the corrective action process. 
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The workshop successfully met its objectives to:

1. Refine the VS strategy that provides the foundation for VS T&Es and helps VS and 

external partners to enhance their emergency preparedness and response capabilities. 

2. Identify T&E priorities, objectives, and events that support the VS preparedness strategy;

include lessons learned from responses to emergency incidents and action items from the 

VS Corrective Action Program (CAP). 

3. Outline a multi-year schedule of implementable T&E events that are linked to the 

priorities and objectives. 

4. Employ a progressive series of T&E activities that build specific capabilities in a cycle of 

escalating complexity. 

The outcome of the annual VS TEPW is this document, the updated multi-year VS TEP1.

The VS NTEP core planning team is active year-round and serves as a cross-business team, 

across all VS units, and as a liaison to external stakeholder emergency responders. To maintain a 

high level of situational awareness and continuity, the program co-leads ask core planning team

members to make a three-year commitment with the option to renew membership at the end of 

their term. Each member must serve on a working group for at least one VS NTEP Event. The 

core planning team also functions as a sounding board and advisor for training and exercise 

inquiries, including, for example, the extent of VS involvement in training and exercise events 

sponsored by external organizations, and developing appropriate corrective actions for 

improvement plans.

VS Strategy and Policy

The VS S&P organization provides science-based strategy, policy, and partnerships to safeguard 

and promote animal health, American agriculture, and the international movement of animals 

and animal products. The S&P unit oversees national preparedness and incident coordination

through the NPIC. 

The VS NTEP supports the NPIC vision of creating a national alliance for protecting animal 

agriculture and improving the overall capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters. The VS 

NTEP works to prepare personnel through training and exercises, allowing the development of 

plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities that meet FiOps customers’ needs and are 

appropriate in intensity and scope. Moreover, the VS NTEP helps the S&P organization meet 

the following goals:

▪ Form a culture of internationally recognized experts able to meet the evolving needs of 

animal health and integration with public health. 

o Make training a priority and encourage employees to attain their professional 

goals.

▪ Strengthen and integrate preparedness and response services.

o Conduct comprehensive response training and exercises.

1 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_training_and_development/vstep/vstep-webinars
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The VS FAD PReP mission is to raise awareness and expectations and develop capabilities 

surrounding FAD preparedness and response. VS has identified 23 critical activities, listed 

below, that may be required to execute and support a successful FAD response and eradicate an 

outbreak. These critical activities provide the framework for developing disease-specific 

standard operating procedures (SOP), response plans, and associated guidance. The list of 

critical activities also identifies the capabilities VS emergency personnel must develop and 

maintain to effectively respond to a FAD or EDI.

VS Critical Activities

▪ Etiology and Ecology

▪ Laboratory Definitions and Case 

Definitions

▪ Surveillance

▪ Diagnostics

▪ Epidemiological Investigation and 

Tracing

▪ Information Management

▪ Communication

▪ Health and Safety and Personal 

Protective Equipment

▪ Biosecurity

▪ Quarantine and Movement Control

▪ Continuity of Business

▪ Regionalization for International 

Trade

▪ Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia

▪ Disposal

▪ Cleaning and Disinfection

▪ Vaccination

▪ National Veterinary Stockpile

▪ Wildlife Management and Vector 

Control

▪ Animal Welfare

▪ Modeling and Assessment Tools

▪ Appraisal and Compensation

▪ Finance

▪ National Response Framework and 

National Incident Management 

System

VS Professional People Training

As a part of the Resources, People and Services (RPS), People Operations (PO) unit, PPT

provides key functions for VS emergency management training. PPT staff: 

▪ Work closely with VS management to ensure that emergency management education and 

training needs are met. This is done in partnership with the APHIS Emergency 

Management Safety and Security Division (EMSSD). 

▪ Develop, deliver, facilitate, and evaluate learning through various distribution methods, 

including classroom, webinar, video conference, laboratory, and online (AgLearn). 

▪ Develop the capability to support VS exercises. 

VS Field Operations and VS Diagnostics and Biologics

Although the VS S&P and PPT units lead the program’s emergency management training and 

exercise initiatives, the VS FiOps and Diagnostics and Biologics units (D&B) are also engaged 

throughout the process. Both units have representation on the VS NTEP core planning team to 

build and help implement the VS TEP. Moreover, specific FiOps and D&B T&E events are 

solicited for inclusion in the VS TEP and multi-year schedule and receive full VS support. The 

VS NTEP upholds the FiOps mission to develop and maintain a competent and highly trained 

workforce. The VS NTEP incorporates NVSL and NAHLN functions in many of its’ larger 

exercises.
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VS Strategic Foundations and New Strategic Directions

VS leads T&E efforts with engagement from all four VS business units (FiOps, S&P, RPS, and 

D&B) in collaboration with external stakeholder emergency responders. Leaders of all VS units 

are requested to review, comment, approve, and support the VS TEP each year.

The VS NTEP strategy supports the strategic foundations and new strategic directions outlined 

by VS. VS Strategic Foundations and New Strategic Directions sets three strategic foundations, 

quoted below:

▪ Our People. VS’ most important organizational asset is its talented and motivated staff 

who are recognized for excellence from local to global levels. 

o VS will strengthen this organizational foundation by investing in its employees 

and supporting them as they deliver VS’ mission and respond to changing animal 

health issues and customer needs. Developing VS’ workforce for the 21st century 

is critical to VS’ success as it modernizes its services and progresses in new 

directions.

▪ Purpose Driven Organization. VS protects the health and marketability of animals to 

ensure the prosperity of American producers.

o VS excels when it focuses on its purpose. Remembering why VS does what it does 

and the positive impact it has on society unleashes the Can Do! spirit for which 

VS is known.

o As a purpose driven organization, VS is continually striving to help its customers, 

improve its services, and tackle new problems. It is committed to aligning its 

business processes, workflow, and internal systems to ensure that they are serving 

its purpose.

▪ Its Role as a Federal Partner. VS will strengthen partnerships with government and 

private entities to protect animal health and assure that its work is focused on areas that 

VS, as the national animal health authority, is uniquely qualified to perform.

o VS will continue to foster cooperative approaches to solve problems and assure 

that its federal role is appropriate and promotes investment and action by state 

and local governments and the private sector.

o VS will collaborate across the animal health community and prioritize federal 

investments to protect animal health and foster realistic expectations for using 

taxpayer resources to address critical national animal health concerns.

In addition to the strategic foundations, the VS TEP strategy supports VS’ new strategic 

directions. Those directions most relevant to building a comprehensive and targeted emergency 

preparedness and response T&E strategy are:

▪ Develop VS’ Workforce. VS will ensure that its workforce has the 21st century skills and 

knowledge to serve its customers and provide science-based solutions to address animal 

health problems effectively and efficiently.

▪ Emerging Disease and One Health. VS will engage in emerging disease and one health 

issues, providing veterinary perspectives in diverse collaborations and providing 
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veterinary expertise to investigate, analyze, and respond appropriately to resolve 

problems.

▪ Partner with Producers. VS will partner directly with producers and their veterinarians 

to deliver valued services and expertise to enhance producers’ capacity to protect and 

improve animal health.

APHIS Strategic Plan

APHIS programs collectively maintain the capability to prepare for and lead the federal response 

to animal and plant health emergencies. The USDA APHIS Strategic Plan 2023-2027

2

identifies 

six strategic goals that articulate APHIS’ priorities. These goals contain 28 objectives, include

major programmatic efforts, and cover the programs and services that APHIS administers. To 

support the objectives of each goal, APHIS employs numerous proven tactics in the programs. 

The VS NTEP supports the following USDA APHIS strategic goal, objective, and tactic.

▪ Goal 1: Protect agriculture from plant and animal diseases and pests.

o Objective 3: Ensure effective emergency preparedness and response.

▪ Develop an adequate number of highly trained core responders.

▪ Coordinate, deliver, and document National Incident Management System 

and Incident Command System training for APHIS Incident Management 

Teams and volunteers.

▪ Provide enhanced learning opportunities to ensure emergency responders 

can quickly assess risks and opportunities in emergency situations and 

integrate emergency response efforts into business services delivery.

▪ Improve communication with stakeholders and trading partners during 

disease and pest outbreaks and proactively engage Tribes.

▪ Engage government and industry partners in preparedness exercises.

▪ Continue to ensure personnel are highly trained in areas of animal 

diseases, plant pests and diseases, and all-hazard response and develop 

more personnel capacity to address emergency tour-of-duty response 

requests.

APHIS delivers an Incident Command System (ICS) curriculum that focuses on the development 

of the APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) and VS Incident Management Teams 

(IMT). For personnel who are not members of a VS IMT, the Emergency Preparedness 

Committee (EPC) approved the following priority schedule for additional ICS resource 

development:

▪ Priority 1 personnel: APHIS IMT members in ICS positions. 

▪ Priority 2 personnel: Single resources in the APHIS Volunteer Emergency Response 

Readiness Corps (VERRC). 

2 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/about_aphis/downloads/aphis-strategic-plan.pdf
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o Priority 2.a. APHIS employees with IMT or ICS position experience who are 

willing to serve on an APHIS IMT or a similar APHIS program’s response team. 

o Priority 2.b. APHIS employees with advanced and/or position-specific ICS 

training, who are willing to serve on an APHIS IMT or a similar APHIS 

program’s response team. 

o Priority 2.c. APHIS employees who have an interest in and are willing to serve 

on an APHIS IMT or a similar APHIS program’s response team. 

▪ Priority 3 personnel: APHIS partners in government, including federal, state, and local 

government employees. 

APHIS recommends that personnel consider additional training opportunities through the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and local 

outlets (e.g., state emergency management agencies, fire departments, etc.). APHIS recognizes 

that capabilities developed to respond to emergencies under statutory authorities, such as subject 

matter expertise for animal emergency response, may be used, if available, to support other 

incidents.

On September 18, 2015, APHIS issued a report on planning and preparations for HPAI in 

advance of a potential recurrence of the disease. The Fall 2015 HPAI Influenza Preparedness 

and Response Plan outlined key areas that captured experience from the 2014-2015 HPAI 

response efforts, epidemiologic studies, and feedback and input from state partners, industry, 

academia, and other stakeholders. The VS NTEP supports the following two key areas of this 

APHIS plan as it believes they are timeless and cannot be set aside: 

▪ Enhancing preparedness. 

▪ Improving and streamlining response capabilities. 

The 2022-2023 HPAI response findings continue to affirm these priorities.

National Security Memorandum 16

National Security Memorandum 163, which replaced Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9 

in November 2022, designates agriculture as critical infrastructure in the United States. The 

agriculture industry, which is primarily owned and operated by the private sector and non-federal 

entities, are vulnerable to disruption and damage from global and domestic threats. The 

memorandum directs USDA to work with external agencies to protect and prepare the food and 

agriculture industry for threats that may be catastrophic or result in a high-consequence incident

through providing, improving, and updating training programs in FADs, epidemiology, and 

public health through webinars, workshops, exercises and other activities relevant to catastrophic 

or high-consequence events.

Federal HSEEP

VS applies the HSEEP doctrine, which provides a set of guiding principles for T&E programs, as 

well as a common approach to T&E program management, design and development, conduct, 

evaluation, and improvement planning. VS uses the HSEEP tools and resources to facilitate and 

3 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/11/10/national-security-memorandum-on-onstrengthening-the-security-and-resilience-of-united-states-food-and-agriculture/
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manage its self-sustaining T&E program. The priority in the VS NTEP is to institutionalize the 

emergency preparedness and response T&E initiative within the VS organization following the 

HSEEP doctrine. 

The VS multi-year plan employs a progressive preparedness approach in which T&E activities 

focus on specific capabilities in a cycle of escalating complexity. For example, responders must 

first be trained and equipped to execute their critical activities, followed by a series of exercises 

that validate and test their skills. Exercises may begin with an executive-level seminar and 

progress toward a discussion-based tabletop exercise (TTX), or an exercise may begin with a 

TTX and progress to an operations-based functional or full-scale exercise (Figure 1). The VS 

TEP strategy uses progressive planning to build and sustain its preparedness and response 

capabilities.

Figure 1. VS Progressive Series Approach to Exercises

Multi-year planning, external stakeholder engagement, and resource management are essential 

ongoing processes that provide the basis for the planning, conduct, and evaluation of VS 

exercises. 

VS Training and Exercise Resources

Highly talented and diverse personnel within VS are a core strength and a critical part of the VS 

TEP strategy to enhance workforce abilities to respond to animal health incidents. Many VS 

personnel, such as VS IMT members, FiOps Logistics Center personnel and contractors, 

National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) personnel, and others, have dedicated 

resources within their units to maintain a constant state of readiness. 

The VS organization provides opportunities to align resources in support of its program-wide 

preparedness and response vision, mission, core values, and goals. Resources must be dedicated 

to supporting the implementation of the VS NTEP if the VS priorities are to be upheld. This 

includes substantial support to plan, implement, and manage VS T&Es and the fiscal resources 
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for personnel to participate in T&E events. Securing resources, in the current context of the 

organization’s competing interests and shrinking budgets, continues to be a challenge. 

The VS Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) budget funds the T&E priorities, 

objectives, and events in the VS TEP. The VS NTEP core planning team develops a prioritized 

budget for activities in the current fiscal year and beyond, that must be approved in the annual 

budget planning process.

VS Training and Exercise Partnerships

The VS NTEP emphasizes the use of partnerships to build the capabilities of VS and its response 

partners. VS, state emergency responders, NAHLN laboratories, private-sector veterinarians, 

tribes, territories, and industry help to influence the success of the VS NTEP and build a 

cohesive response capacity. This allows the integration of VS and external stakeholder 

emergency responders in all aspects of training and exercising, at all levels within the 

partnerships. Additionally, sharing information and resources within the partnerships enhances

the preparedness and response capabilities for VS and its partners.

VS Training and Exercise Accountability

Historically, VS has freely provided emergency preparedness and response training to VS 

employees with little regard to their capability or desire to deploy for an emergency response or 

to teach others. A lesson learned during the 2014-2015 HPAI response was that not all VS 

employees trained to perform an emergency response function were deployable. With the 

onslaught of T&E requests from the aftermath of the HPAI response, VS can no longer afford to

train personnel indiscriminately. Moving forward, the VS NTEP has focused T&E opportunities 

on identified preparedness needs and it requests that trainees be accountable as deployable assets, 

and share their training with local, state, and federal stakeholders. 

VS is investing in trainees who can be deployable as a VS District and/or national asset in the 

event of an emergency response. Although efforts are made to accommodate a deploying 

responder’s existing work commitments, by their nature, emergencies may require sacrificing 

convenience or day-to-day assigned duties. Participants in face-to-face T&E events are 

requested to acknowledge that they are receiving training and enhancing their competencies as a 

VS District and/or nationally deployable asset during an animal health emergency incident. As 

such, they understand that they may be requested to deploy as an emergency responder and use 

the knowledge, skills, and abilities they develop. 

VS is investing in trainees who will commit to sharing the information they learn in T&E events 

with internal and external stakeholder emergency responders through a variety of modalities 

using the train-the-trainer concept. This information sharing can be accomplished through 

emails, teleconferences, webinars, or face-to-face meetings. VS NTEP event participants are 

further requested to share materials they receive and information they learn from T&E events

with other emergency responder colleagues, both within APHIS and external to APHIS.

Conclusion

The 2014-2015 HPAI, 2018-2020 vND, and the 2022-2023 HPAI outbreaks have resulted in 

significant impacts to poultry producers, allied industries, federal and state governments, and the 

American consumer. A robust program of T&Es is vital to maintain readiness for such large-
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scale emergencies. Training provides critical knowledge, skills, and abilities to respond to 

emerging or other animal diseases; and exercises provide a mechanism for response personnel to 

practice and learn outside of a real emergency. 

The VS TEP strategy is designed to enhance the preparedness of VS and its partners to respond 

to livestock and poultry health incidents. This strategy follows the principles of the HSEEP and 

embraces a strong alliance with external stakeholder emergency responders. The VS TEP 

strategy is twofold:

1. Train and exercise in tandem and collaboration with its external stakeholder emergency 

responders using the same organization, roles, and critical activities to address real 

FAD/EDI emergency incidents. 

2. Build response capabilities within the VS Districts and VS IMTs. 

a. Build support capabilities within VS Units to assist VS Districts and VS IMTs. 

b. Implement processes to encourage and solicit stakeholder participation in VS 

District and VS IMT events. 

This strategy includes creating tools, templates, and resources that, when possible, can be shared 

nationally. The VS TEP FY 2024-2026 Plan presented herein is intended to support these 

strategic initiatives and outline a three-year implementation of VS NTEP priorities, objectives, 

and specific events.
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VS Training and Exercise Plan (TEP) FY 2024-2026

Purpose

The purpose of the VS TEP is to translate the VS preparedness strategy, goals, and priorities into 

specific, actionable T&E activities that are coordinated on a multi-year schedule. The VS TEP: 

▪ Identifies priorities in accordance with the VS preparedness and response strategy. 

▪ Aligns with both the VS emergency critical activities and the national preparedness goals 

core capabilities4to achieve those priorities.

5

 

▪ Outlines a multi-year schedule of T&Es to enhance and validate VS emergency 

preparedness and response capabilities. 

▪ Employs a progressive series of T&E activities that focus on specific emergency 

preparedness and response capabilities in a cycle of escalating complexity. 

Personnel need thorough training and adequate equipment before their role in an emergency 

incident can be effectively exercised. Because ICS training is the foundation of emergency 

response, it is imperative that VS employees identified as emergency responders are familiar 

with NIMS principles and ICS organization. However, ICS knowledge, skills, and abilities will 

not be institutionalized unless ICS is routinely practiced and exercised. 

Many training courses and curricula exist that address identifying, investigating, and responding 

to an outbreak of a FAD/EDI. Courses vary from teaching threat awareness to technical skills 

and procedures necessary to stop an outbreak of disease. Foreign Animal Disease Diagnosticians 

(FADD) need opportunities to maintain their skills after training at the Foreign Animal Disease 

Diagnostics Laboratory (FADDL), Plum Island, NY. VS Guidance 12000.3 on FADD 

certification requirements, issued March 26, 2018, requires FADDs to complete a minimum of 

one course, training opportunity, or participate in one VS NTEP Event each year to retain FADD 

certification.

Exercises provide opportunities to practice training and implement plans and procedures in a nofault learning environment outside of an actual emergency. Exercises also allow responders, 

senior officials, and others to validate training and practice strategic and tactical skills in a riskreduced environment. All seven types of HSEEP exercises should be conducted using the 

progressive planning approach. The type of exercise that best meets VS requirements is 

identified through analysis of existing capabilities; gaps and lessons learned from previous 

training and exercise events; and resources available for exercise design/development, conduct, 

evaluation, and improvement planning. See Appendix C: HSEEP Exercise Types for a brief 

description of each type of exercise. 

Implementing the updated VS TEP at the beginning of each fiscal year will sustain a methodical 

approach to increasing VS response capabilities and identifying areas for improvement. As the 

plan is implemented, available T&E materials will be leveraged, or new materials will be 

developed that address critical gaps. Well-planned and executed events will be delivered to 

4 https://www.fema.gov/core-capabilities

5 See Appendix B: National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities
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provide the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to respond effectively and efficiently. The 

VS NTEP is a component of the APHIS and USDA T&E initiatives.

Priorities, Objectives, and Events

The VS TEP forms the basis for coordinated T&E Events to prepare the VS staff, its support 

personnel, and external stakeholder emergency responders to respond to a real emergency. The 

VS TEPW held in April 2023 validated three FY 2024-2026 T&E priorities, with specific 

objectives that support each priority. Specific T&E events are enumerated for each objective. It 

is important to understand that the VS National Veterinary Stockpile (NVS) program maintains a 

separate multi-year T&E strategy and plan to support its logistics preparedness and response 

priorities, objectives, and events. The National Veterinary Stockpile Fiscal Year 2023-2025

Training and Exercise Strategy and Plan is considered a companion of the VS TEP. 

In the event of a FAD outbreak in the U.S., the FAD PReP outlines three response goals: 

1. Detect, control, and contain the FAD in animals as quickly as possible. 

2. Eradicate the FAD using strategies that seek to stabilize animal agriculture, the food 

supply, and the economy; and protect public health and the environment. 

3. Provide science- and risk-based approaches and systems to facilitate continuity of 

business for non-infected animals and non-contaminated animal products. 

The VS TEP is linked to these FAD PReP goals and is designed to build and test response 

capabilities associated with FAD PReP critical activities, through a series of training events and 

increasingly complex exercises. 

VS NTEP event numbers carry over year to year. Once an event is completed, the number is 

retired. This allows the VS NTEP to maintain an accurate list of events that have been 

conducted in the past. 

The VS NTEP initiative was established in FY 2014 within the VS S&P/NPIC Unit in close 

collaboration with the VS RPS/PO/PPT Unit. A top priority for the program continues to be 

institutionalizing the VS NTEP initiative, making it sustainable, maintaining its organization, 

mission, goals, functions, resources, and budget processes.

Priority 1: Build the VS NTEP Program

Objective 1.1. Institutionalize the VS NTEP within VS.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.1.1. Advance the plans to 

organize, hire VS personnel, and 

acquire other necessary resources to 

support and sustain the program. 

This Event is critical to the 

maintenance and success of the 

VS NTEP. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.1.2. VS NTEP team conducts a 

VS TEPW each spring to identify the VS 

NTEP strategy, priorities, objectives, 

and resources for the next three years. 

This Event is in accordance with 

HSEEP guidance and critical to the 

success of the VS NTEP.

FY 2024-2026
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Objective 1.1. Institutionalize the VS NTEP within VS.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.1.3. Publish a multi-year VS 

TEP each year by October 1. 

This Event is in accordance with 

HSEEP guidance and critical to the 

success of the VS NTEP.

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.1.4. Implement the updated 

VS NTEP beginning October 1 of each 

year. 

This Event is in accordance with 

HSEEP guidance and critical to the 

success of the VS NTEP.

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.1.5. Assess technologies and 

processes to support virtual training 

and exercises. 

This Event was first initiated in FY 

2015 for exercises only and now 

encompasses training as well. 

FY 2024-2026

a. Monitor technologies that could 

assist in the advancement of the VS 

NTEP Mission.

b. Inform the workgroup on

technologies available and 

associated costs.

Event 1.1.6. Assist VS personnel to 

participate in external stakeholder 

exercises and trainings. 

Formerly Event 3.3.6. Expanded 

to include training at the FY 2018 

VS TEPW.

FY 2024-2026

Objective 1.2. Solicit input for T&E planning.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.2.1. Request feedback and 

input from all VS units and external 

stakeholder emergency responders on 

the VS NTEP priorities, objectives, and 

events for consideration in the VS TEP. 

This Event is essential to 

synchronize the VS TEP with the 

needs of the VS program and 

external stakeholder emergency 

responders.

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.2.3. Market, promote, and 

raise awareness of the VS NTEP to VS 

and external stakeholder emergency 

responders.

Formerly Event 2.2.1. This is an 

essential part of maintaining 

interest in and institutionalizing

the VS NTEP.

FY 2024-2026
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Objective 1.3. Adopt a process for VS NTEP improvement planning.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.3.1. Maintain an effective CAP

to ensure that improvement plans 

from responses and exercises are 

implemented, corrective actions are 

tracked to completion, and tangible 

preparedness improvements are 

documented, distributed, and 

implemented. Corrective action items 

are prioritized and brought to VS 

TEPW. 

This Event was modified at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW to focus on the 

development of CAPs specific to 

exercises. A program has already 

been developed focused on 

emergency response events. This 

is an essential part of maintaining 

the continual improvement of VS 

capabilities. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.3.2. Support state and federal 

responders to the 2022-2023 HPAI

response through the corrective action 

and improvement planning process.

This Event came out of the FY 

2022 VS TEPW. Corrective actions 

and improvement plans are 

essential in the improvement of 

VS and external stakeholder 

emergency responder capabilities. 

FY 2024

Objective 1.4. Market, promote, and sustain completed VS NTEP events.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.4.1. Market and maintain 

exercise materials previously 

developed by the NTEP. 

States, agencies, and other 

stakeholders should be 

encouraged to utilize existing 

exercises. A complete list of items 

available for use is available in 

Appendix D.

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.4.2. Market webinars 

previously developed by the NTEP.

States, agencies, and other 

stakeholders should be 

encouraged to utilize existing 

webinars. A complete list of items 

available for use is available in 

Appendix D.

FY 2024-2026
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Objective 1.4. Market, promote, and sustain completed VS NTEP events.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.4.3. Update existing training 

and exercise materials with new VS 

policies.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event came out of the FY 

2023 VS TEPW. Updating existing 

materials with new VS policies will 

ensure the VS and external 

stakeholder emergency 

responders requesting materials 

have the most up-to-date 

information when conducting 

trainings or exercises.

FY 2024-2026

Objective 1.5. Support efforts of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 

Program (NADPRP).

Event Justification Timeline

Event 1.5.1. TEP workgroup members 

support the National Animal Disease 

Preparedness and Response Program 

(NADPRP) by engaging with state 

partners and supporting project plans 

approved by the NADPRP for 

implementation.

VS NTEP workgroup member 

experience with training and 

exercises is key to supporting

NADPRP.

FY 2024-2026

Event 1.5.2. Support NADPRP by 

identifying completed projects for 

webinars to assist other VS and 

external emergency response 

stakeholders in preparedness efforts.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event came out of the FY 

2023 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2026

Priority 2: Train VS and External Stakeholder Emergency Responders

Objective 2.1. Leverage existing training and exercise programs to raise awareness and 

encourage participation.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.1.3. Encourage participation 

in the European Commission for the 

Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease 

(EUFMD) and African Swine Fever 

courses. These are available both as 

online courses and field courses. 

These courses were discussed at 

the FY 2017 VS TEPW as an 

educational opportunity open to 

VS staff. Starting in FY 2020, 

funding for VS personnel to attend 

a virtual training customized for 

Canada is provided. 

FY 2024-2026
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Objective 2.1. Leverage existing training and exercise programs to raise awareness and 

encourage participation.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.1.5. Identify training 

applicable to FAD response and raise 

awareness on the availability of the 

training. Include update of VS 

Guidance on FADD continuing 

education to incorporate TEP FADD 

Drills.

This Event came out of the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. Specifically, there 

was a discussion on available 

training on biosecurity, 

epidemiological investigations, 

and response mental health issues 

that could be utilized by FAD 

responders.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.1.7. Develop and deliver a 

virtual training series on the building 

blocks of the HSEEP. Topics will 

include conducting an exercise, writing 

an after-action report, etc.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Event 2.1.8. Develop and deliver a 

virtual training series focusing on best 

practices when developing foreign 

animal disease response plans. The 

training series will include using 

lessons learned from FAD responses to 

update response plans.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Objective 2.2. Identify training needs, develop training materials, and deliver training for 

FAD/EDI preparedness and response.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.2.2. Develop and deliver 

practical field communication and 

outreach training for Case Managers 

and Site Managers for FAD/EDI 

response situations with a focus on 

responder communication with 

impacted individuals. Training will 

include a decision tree for Case 

Managers and Site Managers.

In FY 2020, this Event was

adjusted to address training needs 

on how to develop outreach 

materials, organize community 

meetings, and other 

communication roles during a 

response. This Event will focus on 

skills utilized by Wildlife Services 

in approaching the public. 

FY 2024

(Develop), FY 

2025 (Deliver)
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Objective 2.2. Identify training needs, develop training materials, and deliver training for 

FAD/EDI preparedness and response.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.2.9. Develop and deliver 

animal health-specific ICS training

scenarios for VS (including non-IMT 

personnel) and external stakeholder 

emergency responders.

This Event came out of the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. Discussion 

included developing an animal 

health-specific scenario, like 

‘Central City’ for ICS training and 

encouraging VS IMTs to 

participate in ICS 420.

FY 2024-2025

Event 2.2.15. IMT-Plus task-specific 

training: Develop and deliver carcass 

composting training for Composting 

Subject Matter Experts (SME). 

This Event addresses lessons 

learned from the 2015 HPAI 

emergency response and the 

COVID processing capacity 

slowdown. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.22. Provide depopulation 

training for VS District personnel. 

Training may include foam units, 

whole-house gassing, and options for 

other species, such as captive bolt.

This Event is a follow-up Event

from FY 2016. NVS and VS District 

personnel began training together 

in FY 2017.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.25. Deliver monthly, onehour webinars on general response 

and disease issues. These will be 

designed for VS and external 

stakeholders.

This Event was added in response 

to the 2016 VS NTEP solicitation 

for input. Webinars generate an 

average attendance of 200 to 300 

VS personnel and external 

stakeholders.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.28. Maintain a FAQ page on 

FAD PReP site, the VS NTEP SharePoint 

site, FAD Eye, or public site to address 

key VS NTEP issues. Continue to post 

quarterly articles on FAD Eye on 

specific TEP products.

This Event was first completed in 

FY 2018 but will require quarterly 

articles for FAD Eye on TEP 

specific Events that need to be 

marketed. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.34. Train APHIS, IMT, and 

District Safety Officers on the use of 

select NVS equipment and develop 

safety plans for the use of the 

equipment.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2018 VS TEPW. Safety Officers

should participate in NVS drills.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.35. Conduct a series of 

webinars focused on behavioral health 

and mental health issues during a FAD 

response.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2018 VS TEPW. It was expanded 

at the FY 2019 VS TEPW to include 

mental health.

FY 2024-2025
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Objective 2.2. Identify training needs, develop training materials, and deliver training for 

FAD/EDI preparedness and response.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.2.37. Deliver Emergency 

Management Response System (EMRS)

training to state and district IMT 

personnel.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2018 VS TEPW and confirmed as a 

need in the ARMAR After-Action 

Report. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.38. Develop a pathway for 

personnel to develop the skills 

necessary to fill specific IMT-Plus 

positions.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2018 VS TEPW. Those positions 

are found in the VS IMT Position 

Descriptions Catalog.

FY 2024

Event 2.2.40. Develop a training 

program to develop potential SMEs on 

various topics needed during a 

response; for example, specific 

diseases, virus elimination, etc.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2018 VS TEPW. The workgroup 

will develop the metrics needed 

for an SME on three separate 

topics. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.41. Develop and deliver 

virtual training on addressing cultural, 

religious, and tribal issues during a 

response.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Event 2.2.43. Develop and deliver a 

series of epidemiological training 

courses for response personnel.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.44. Develop and deliver a 

biosecurity and safety training course 

for field responders.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2020 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Event 2.2.46. Develop a virtual 

training on how livestock 

producers/owners can get paid for 

conducting depopulation and disposal 

activities.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2020 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 2.2.47. Develop and deliver a 

training about animal disease 

traceability for various species of 

livestock, industries, and regions of the 

United States. Training will include the 

use of EMRS, Certificates of Veterinary 

Inspection, animal identification, 

animal movements, and livestock 

markets.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW and will be 

conducted with support from 

Animal Disease Traceability staff 

and Animal Identification

Coordinators. 

FY 2024-2025
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Objective 2.2. Identify training needs, develop training materials, and deliver training for 

FAD/EDI preparedness and response.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.2.48. Develop and deliver a 

training on active observational 

surveillance. The training will include 

clinical scoring tools where available.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 2.2.49. Develop and deliver a 

training on eradication and 

surveillance strategies for vectors and 

vector-borne diseases.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 2.2.50. Develop and deliver a 

training on developing a One-Health 

incident response plan and 

communication plan.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. This Event will 

require support from the VS Office 

of Interagency Coordination OneHealth Coordination Center.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.2.51. Develop and deliver a 

webinar series discussing ways to 

engage industry and external 

emergency response stakeholders

during a FAD response. Topics will 

include communication, unified 

command, training industry teams, 

working with an IMT Liaison, and 

multi-agency coordination.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2022 VS TEPW as a follow on to 

the FAD SAFE functional exercise. 

FY 2024

Event 2.2.52. Develop and deliver a 

just-in-time training on biosecurity, 

including proper personal protective 

equipment use, cleaning and 

disinfection, on-farm biosecurity, and 

hierarchy of control.6

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW as a lesson learned 

from the 2022-2023 HPAI 

response.

FY 2024-2025

Event 2.2.53. Develop and deliver a 

training series on the environmental 

aspects of an animal health response.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW as a lesson learned 

from the 2022-2023 HPAI 

response.

FY 2024-2025

6 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html
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Objective 2.4. Train on new and emerging animal disease FAD PReP documents. 

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.4.3. Develop FAD PReP 

document-inquiry games and tools. 

This Event was identified at the FY 

2017 VS TEPW to introduce and 

educate individuals about the FAD 

PReP documents.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.4.4. Develop and deliver 

training on the FAD PReP guidance for 

outbreak surveillance for backyard 

flocks.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2026

Objective 2.5. Create a model for ICS position-specific on-the-job training to facilitate 

emergency preparedness and response training for VS and external stakeholder emergency 

response personnel.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 2.5.1. Provide on-the-job 

training opportunities for VS IMT

positions. 

This Event was identified at the 

2014 VS TEPW and again during 

the 2018-19 vND response.

FY 2024-2026

Event 2.5.4. Develop and deliver a 

checklist of just-in-time response 

orientation trainings for new-hires.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW and will involve 

working with those who have 

attended Training Coordinator 

training offered by PPT.

FY 2024

Priority 3: Exercise VS and External Stakeholder Emergency Responder 

Capabilities

Objective 3.1. Conduct discussion-based exercises to validate emergency preparedness and 

response plans and capabilities.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.1.7. Conduct VS IMT 

development activities. 

This Event addresses lessons 

learned from the 2015 VS IMT 

Workshop and was recommended 

by all VS IMTs. Engaging in 

exercises is a priority for the 

teams.

FY 2024-2026
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Objective 3.1. Conduct discussion-based exercises to validate emergency preparedness and 

response plans and capabilities.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.1.10. Develop and conduct an 

exercise series (workshop, TTX, drills, 

and functional exercise) on deploying 

vaccine on a large scale. 

This Event was confirmed as a 

priority during ARMAR. The Event

workgroup will develop a package 

of materials for states/districts to 

develop vaccination deployment 

plans and test the plans using a 

series of exercises.

FY 2024-2026

Event 3.1.12. Coordinate with NAHLN 

to: 

As the VS NTEP develops 

exercises, an effort will be made 

to include NAHLN and FADDL in 

the Events.

FY 2024-2026

a. Support continued engagement of 

the NAHLN into VS NTEP exercises. 

b. Educate the response community 

on NAHLN capabilities through 

webinars and information sharing. 

NAHLN and VS NTEP will work 

together on this.

Event 3.1.14. Develop and deliver 

discussion-based virtual exercise 

materials that VS Districts can use for 

Poultry Depopulation Group 

Supervisors and Poultry Carcass 

Disposal Coordinators. 

Formerly Event 3.2.5. This Event

is a follow-up to the FY 2016 

Poultry Depopulation Group 

Supervisor and Poultry Carcass 

Disposal Coordinator positionspecific training. Connected to 

Event 2.2.11.

FY 2024

Event 3.1.16. Develop and conduct a 

behavioral health TTX looking at 

response associated with hobby 

livestock, viewed as pets, and

responder communication with 

impacted individuals. 

This Event was suggested at the FY

2018 VS TEPW. Connected to 

Event 2.2.35. Combined with 

Event 3.1.20.

FY 2025

Event 3.1.17. Develop and conduct an 

exercise series focused on 

implementing the Secure Food Supply 

plans. 

This Event was suggested at the FY

2018 VS TEPW as a follow-on to 

ARMAR. Priority in FY 2024 will be 

the development of a Secure 

Poultry and Egg Supply exercise 

series. VS NTEP has materials 

available for Secure Milk Supply, 

Secure Pork Supply, and Secure 

Beef Supply implementation.

FY 2025-2026
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Objective 3.1. Conduct discussion-based exercises to validate emergency preparedness and 

response plans and capabilities.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.1.18. Develop and conduct an 

exercise series dealing with 

responding to large feedlots (>50,000 

head) infected with FMD.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW as a follow-on to 

ARMAR. The first part of the 

series should be a VS policy 

workshop, a state workshop and a 

TTX. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.1.19. Develop and conduct an 

exercise series dealing with 

epidemiological skills for response 

personnel.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. Connected to 

Event 2.2.43.

FY 2025-2026

Event 3.1.21. Develop and deliver an 

exercise series for dealing with and 

responding to livestock markets 

involved with a foreign animal disease 

outbreak. 

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2020 VS TEPW. Connected to 

Event 3.1.4

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.1.22. Develop and deliver an 

exercise series for identifying and

managing control areas. 

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2020 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 3.1.24. Develop and deliver a 

One-Health workshop on emerging 

diseases with a zoonotic impact. 

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW due to issues 

encountered with COVID 19. A 

highly zoonotic HPAI workshop 

exists.

FY 2025-2026

Event 3.1.25. Develop and deliver a 

drill using the disposal dashboard7to 

create site-specific disposal plans.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.1.26. Develop and deliver an

exercise series dealing with FMD 

response, including vaccinate 

management with the beef packing 

industry.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Event 3.1.27. Develop and deliver an 

exercise series focused on 

coordination and communication 

between the NAHLN laboratories and 

Unified Command incident 

management teams.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2022 VS TEPW and as a follow-up 

to the FAD SAFE functional 

exercise. This need was affirmed 

at the NAHLN ASF workshop in 

2023.

FY 2024-2025

7 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/emergency-management/carcass-management/carcass
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Objective 3.1. Conduct discussion-based exercises to validate emergency preparedness and 

response plans and capabilities.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.1.28. Develop and deliver an 

exercise series on the ICS ‘Planning P’ 

meetings. Topics will include the 

Unified Command Objectives Meeting, 

Command and General Staff Meeting, 

Tactics Meeting, Planning Meeting, 

and Operations Briefing. 

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2022 VS TEPW and as a follow-up 

to the FAD SAFE functional 

exercise. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.1.29. Develop and deliver an 

exercise series on the VS Ruminant 

Health Center’s roles during a foreign 

animal disease response.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW and as a follow-up 

to the FAD SAFE functional 

exercise. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 3.1.30. Develop and deliver a 

series of workshops for the 

development of state-specific 

depopulation and disposal plans in 

each livestock commodity.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW.

FY 2025

Event 3.1.31. Develop and deliver an 

exercise discussing the lead authorities 

during an animal health response.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW.

FY 2025

Objective 3.2. Conduct a series of drills and functional exercises to validate specific 

operational procedures and functions.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.2.2. Develop drill materials for 

FADDs to validate procedures for the 

field investigation of potential 

FAD/EDIs and data entry into the 

training module of EMRS 2.0. In FY 

2021, an equine drill was completed. 

A poultry drill is planned for FY 2022.

This Event provides opportunities 

to practice knowledge and skills in 

a no-fault learning environment. 

The Event was started in FY 2016 

and implementation and 

development will continue in FY 

2024-2025.

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.2.7. Working with NVS, 

develop and pilot drills to test the use 

of NVS animal handling equipment.

This Event was identified at the 

2018 VS TEPW. Connected to 

Event 2.2.34.

FY 2024-2025
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Objective 3.2. Conduct a series of drills and functional exercises to validate specific 

operational procedures and functions.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.2.8. Provide support to 

Emergency Coordinators or other VS 

personnel to develop and deliver 

appropriate TTXs or drills within the 

states they support. These TTXs or 

drills must support the goals and 

objectives of FAD response.

This Event was started in FY 2018. 

At the FY 2019 VS TEPW, it was 

decided to expand the workgroup 

to create a larger group of 

mentors to assist personnel in 

implementing the exercise.

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.2.10. Develop and deliver a 

drill on permitting interstate 

movement of livestock during an 

animal disease outbreak.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2019 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024

Event 3.2.11. Develop and deliver a 

drill to complete an infected herd plan 

in each applicable species.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2021 VS TEPW. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.2.12. Develop and deliver a 

series of games based on the role of 

future planning within the IMT 

structure during a FAD response.

This Event was a follow on to the 

Complexity Analysis and Future 

Planning Training. Connected to 

Event 2.2.29. 

FY 2025

Objective 3.3. Participate and engage in training and exercises sponsored by or in 

collaboration with external stakeholder emergency responders that support the VS NTEP 

strategy.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.3.9. Develop and deliver 

EMRS Drill Materials to build on the 

skills learned in EMRS training.

Follow up to Event 2.2.12. The 

first EMRS Drill was delivered in FY 

2018; more are planned. 

Connected to Event 2.2.37.

FY 2024-2026

Event 3.3.11. Develop drill materials 

for Composting SMEs to build on the 

Composting SME training. 

Follow up to Event 2.2.15. At the 

FY 2019 VS TEPW, the discussion 

included modifying a drill 

conducted previously in Georgia 

to assist with this Event. The drill 

should meet all the requirements 

to become an SME. The 

workgroup will also focus on 

identifying opportunities for 

training for Composting SMEs. 

Connected to Event 2.2.15.

FY 2024
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Objective 3.3. Participate and engage in training and exercises sponsored by or in 

collaboration with external stakeholder emergency responders that support the VS NTEP 

strategy.

Event Justification Timeline

Event 3.3.12. Develop exercises 

focused on African Swine Fever (ASF) 

response. 

This Event was identified by VS 

leadership as a priority. 

FY 2024-2026

Event 3.3.13. Develop and deliver a 

series of tabletop exercises to test 

Tribal Nations’ emergency response 

plans to identify vulnerabilities and 

measures for improvement. 

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2022 VS TEPW and relies on APHIS 

Tribal Liaison on the TEP to 

coordinate. 

FY 2024-2025

Event 3.3.14. Develop and deliver an 

animal movement standstill workshop 

to discuss international cross-border 

issues.

New Event for FY 2024.

This Event was suggested at the FY 

2023 VS TEPW.

FY 2024-2026
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Appendix A: VS National Training and Exercise 

Team FY 2023

VS National Training and Exercise Program Co-Leads

First Name Last Name Representative Organization

Liz Fernandez VS Resources, People and Services, People Operations, 

Professional People Training

Barbara Porter-Spalding VS Strategy and Policy, National Preparedness and 

Incident Coordination Center

VS National Training and Exercise Program VS Members

First Name Last Name Representative Organization

Kelli Almes VS Diagnostics and Biologics, National Animal Health 

Laboratory Network

Brian Archer VS Strategy and Policy, National Preparedness and 

Incident Coordination Center, EMRS

Edgardo Arza VS Strategy and Policy, Office of Interagency 

Coordination, International Animal Health Liaison

Becky Brewer-Walker VS IMT – Green / VS Field Operations, District 4 AVIC 

(Oklahoma/Arkansas)

Sierra Burrell VS Strategy and Policy, Office of Interagency 

Coordination, CDC Liaison

Bruce Carter VS Diagnostics and Biologics, Center for Veterinary 

Biologics

Cheryl Collins VS Field Operations, District 2 Emergency Coordinator

Stephanie Cox VS Field Operations, Field Epi Investigations Unit

Joanna Davis VS Field Operations, Logistics Center

Clement Dussault VS Strategy and Policy, National Veterinary 

Accreditation Center

Sharon Fisher VS Strategy and Policy, National Preparedness and 

Incident Coordination Center

Julie Gauthier FIOPS ADA

Kristen Higgins VS Resources, People and Services, People Operations, 

Professional People Training

Nicki Humphrey VS Strategy and Policy, Swine Health Center

Dawn Hunter VS Strategy and Policy, Trade Liaison

Steve Just VS IMT – Gold/VS Field Operations, District 2 Veterinary 

Medical Officer

Michael Kornreich VS IMT – Blue / VS Field Operations, District 1 AVIC 

(Pennsylvania/West Virginia)

Tyler McAlpin VS Strategy and Policy, Cattle Health Center
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VS National Training and Exercise Program VS Members

First Name Last Name Representative Organization

Jennifer McDougle VS Field Operations, District 3 (California)

Rob Miknis VS Strategy and Policy, Office of Interagency 

Coordination, Environmental Engineer

Laura Miles VS Strategy and Policy, Center for Epidemiology and 

Animal Health

Tom Scott VS Field Operations, District 1, Emergency Coordinator

Melburn Stephens VS IMT – Red / VS Field Operations, District 1 Emergency 

Coordinator

Rodney White VS Field Operations, Logistics Center

Beth Wittenbrader VS IMT Green Safety Officer / VS Field Operations, 

District 1, Animal Health Technician

Jon Zack VS Strategy and Policy, National Preparedness and 

Incident Coordination Center

VS National Training and Exercise Program External Stakeholder Members

First Name Last Name Representative Organization

Michael Burke DHS CWMD Food Agriculture and Veterinary Defense 

Division

Terry Clark APHIS Tribal Relations Director

Evelyn Crish USDA Food Safety Inspection Service

Kevin Dennison APHIS Animal Care

Misty Edmondson

Southern Agriculture and Animal Disaster Response 

Alliance / Alabama Department of Agriculture an 

Industries

Dan Frazen Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture / 

Colorado Department of Agriculture

Mike Stepien APHIS Legislative and Public Affairs

Dennis Kohler APHIS Wildlife Services

Darlene Konkle National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, WI 

State Veterinarian

John Montalbano California Department of Food and Agriculture

Jonathan Morgan Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Justin Nixon APHIS EMSSD, Training Coordinator

Meg Raabe APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine

Carry Shulock-Sexton New England States Animal Agricultural Security Alliance

/ Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
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Appendix B: National Preparedness Goal Core 

Capabilities

The following table lists the National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities8by mission area. 

Note that Planning, Public Information and Warning, and Operational Coordination apply to all 

five mission areas.

National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities

Prevention Protection Mitigation Response Recovery

Planning

Public Information and Warning

Operational Coordination9

Forensics and 

Attribution

Intelligence and 

Information 

Sharing

Interdiction and 

Disruption

Screening, Search, 

and Detection

Access Control 

and Identity 

Verification

Cybersecurity

Intelligences and 

Information 

Sharing

Interdiction and 

Disruption

Physical 

Protective 

Measures

Risk Management 

for Protections 

Programs and 

Activities

Screening, Search, 

and Detection

Supply Chain 

Integrity and 

Security

Community 

Resilience

Long-term 

Vulnerability 

Reduction

Risk and Disaster 

Resilience 

Assessment

Threats and 

Hazard 

Identification

Critical 

Transportation

Environmental 

Response/Health 

and Safety

Fatality 

Management 

Services

Infrastructure 

Services

Mass Care 

Services

Mass Search and 

Rescue 

Operations

On-scene Security 

and Protection

Operational 

Communications

Public and Private 

Services and 

Resources

Public Health and 

Medical Services

Situational 

Assessment

Economic 

Recovery

Health and Social 

Services

Housing

Infrastructure 

Systems

Natural and 

Cultural 

Resources

8 https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/mission-core-capabilities

9 Planning, Public Information and Warning, and Operational Coordination are core capabilities common to all 

mission areas.
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The following table crosswalks the VS Emergency Preparedness and Response Critical 

Activities with the National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities.

Crosswalk Between VS Emergency Preparedness and Response Critical Activities and National 

Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities

VS Emergency Preparedness and 

Response Critical Activities National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities

1. Etiology and ecology Intelligence and information sharing; Operational 

communications; Operational coordination; 

Planning; Public and private services and resources; 

Public information and warning; Risk and disaster 

resilience assessment; Screening, search and 

detection; and Situational assessment.

2. Case definitions

3. Surveillance

4. Diagnostics

5. Epidemiological investigation and 

tracing

6. Information management Intelligence and information sharing; Interdiction 

and disruption; Operational communications; 

Operational coordination; Planning; Public 

information and warning; and Situational 

assessment. 

7. Communication

8. Health and safety and personal 

protective equipment

Environmental response/health and safety; Onscene security and protection; Operational 

coordination; Physical protective measures; 

Planning; Public health and medical services; and 

Public information and warning. 

9. Biosecurity

10. Quarantine and movement control

11. Continuity of business Economic recovery and community resilience; 

Operational coordination; Planning; Public 

information and warning; and Risk management for 

protection programs and activities.

12. Regionalization for international 

trade

13. Mass depopulation and euthanasia Environmental response/health and safety; Onscene security and protection; Operational 

coordination; Planning; Public health and medical 

services; Public information and warning; Physical 

protective measures; and Supply chain integrity 

and security.

14. Disposal

15. Cleaning and disinfection

16. Vaccination

Community resilience; Interdiction and disruption; 

Operational coordination; Planning; Public 

information and warning; Public health and medical 

services; Risk and disaster resilience assessment; 

and Risk management for protection programs and 

activities. 

17. National veterinary stockpile

Critical transportation; Operational coordination; 

Planning; Public health and medical services; Public 

information and warning; and Supply chain 

integrity and security.
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Crosswalk Between VS Emergency Preparedness and Response Critical Activities and National 

Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities

VS Emergency Preparedness and 

Response Critical Activities National Preparedness Goal Core Capabilities

18. Wildlife management and vector 

control

Operational coordination; Planning; Public 

information and warning; Risk management for 

protection programs and activities; and Screening, 

search, and detection. 

19. Animal welfare

Operational coordination; Planning; Public and 

private services and resources; Public information 

and warning; and Risk management for protection 

programs and activities. 

20. Modeling and assessment tools Economic recovery; Infrastructure systems; 

Operational coordination; Planning; Public 

information and warning; Risk and disaster 

resilience assessment; Risk management for 

protection programs and activities; and Supply 

chain integrity and security. 

21. Appraisal and compensation

22. Finance

23. National response framework and 

national incident management 

system

Operational coordination; Planning; Public and 

private service and resources; and Public 

information and warning.
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Appendix C: HSEEP Exercise Types

The HSEEP describes an exercise as an instrument to train for, assess, practice, and improve 

performance in prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities in a riskfree environment. Exercises can be used for testing and validating policies, plans, procedures, 

training, equipment, and interagency agreements; clarifying and training personnel in roles and 

responsibilities; improving interagency coordination and communication; improving individual 

performance; identifying gaps in resources; and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Discussion-Based Exercises

Discussion-based exercises focus on strategic, policy-oriented issues and can be used to 

familiarize players with, or develop new, plans, policies, agreements, and procedures. 

Facilitators and presenters usually lead the discussion, keeping participants on track toward 

meeting exercise objectives. 

Discussion-based exercises: 

▪ Include seminars, workshops, tabletops, and games 

▪ Provide a forum for discussing or developing plans, agreements, training, and procedures 

▪ Are generally less complicated than operations-based types 

▪ Typically focus on strategic, policy-oriented issues 

▪ Do not involve the deployment of resources 

Seminars

A seminar is an informal discussion-based exercise led by a presenter or facilitator, used to 

teach or orient participants.

A seminar can: 

▪ Orient participants to, or provide an overview of, authorities, strategies, plans, policies, 

procedures, protocols, resources, concepts, and ideas 

▪ Construct a common framework of understanding 

▪ Be valuable for entities that are developing or making major changes to existing plans or 

procedures 

▪ Help gain awareness of or assess the capabilities of interagency or inter-jurisdictional 

operations 

Conduct Characteristics 

▪ Casual atmosphere 

▪ Minimal time constraints 

▪ Lecture-based 
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Workshops

A workshop is a formal discussion-based exercise led by a facilitator or presenter, used to 

build, or achieve, a product.

In a workshop, participants: 

▪ Focus on achieving or building a product 

▪ Focus on a specific issue, with the desired objective, product, or goal clearly defined 

▪ Develop new ideas, processes, or procedures 

▪ Develop a written product as a group in coordinated activities 

▪ Obtain consensus 

▪ Collect and share information 

Conduct Characteristics 

▪ Involves more participant discussion than a lecture-based seminar 

▪ Often uses break-out sessions to explore parts of an issue with smaller focus groups 

Products that are often generated from a workshop include new SOPs, emergency operations 

plans, continuity of operations plans, and mutual aid agreements. Findings from the workshop 

should be collected into a short After-Action Report (AAR) and distributed to all parties 

involved. The AAR for workshops serves much like meeting minutes.

Tabletop Exercises

A TTX facilitates conceptual understanding, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, 

and/or achieving changes in perception, by using a hypothetical scenario to generate 

discussion.

In a TTX, participants: 

▪ Enhance general awareness 

▪ Validate plans and procedures 

▪ Rehearse concepts and/or assess systems 

▪ Examine areas of concern and solve problems 

▪ Identify strengths and shortfalls 

▪ Seek to change existing attitudes and perspectives 

▪ Make decisions in a no-fault environment 

Conduct Characteristics 

▪ Requires experienced facilitators 

▪ In-depth discussion

▪ Slow-paced problem-solving 

▪ Basic or complex design 

The purpose of a TTX is to test existing plans, policies, or procedures without incurring the costs 

associated with deploying resources. A TTX also allows participants to thoroughly work 

through a problem without feeling as much pressure as they would in an operations-based 

exercise.
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Games

A game is a simulation of operations using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an 

actual or assumed real-life situation.

In a game, participants: 

▪ Explore the processes and consequences of decision-making 

▪ Conduct "what-if" analyses of existing plans 

▪ Test existing and potential strategies 

Conduct Characteristics 

▪ Does not involve the use of actual resources 

▪ Often involves two or more teams 

▪ Includes models and simulations of increasing complexity as the game progresses 

Operations-Based Exercises

Operations-based exercises are characterized by the actual reaction to an exercise scenario, such 

as initiating communications or mobilizing personnel and resources. 

These types of exercises: 

▪ Involve deployment of resources and personnel 

▪ Are more complex than discussion-based types 

▪ Require execution of plans, policies, agreements, and procedures 

▪ Clarify roles and responsibilities 

▪ Identify resource gaps 

▪ Improve individual and team performances 

Drills

A drill is a coordinated, supervised activity to validate a specific function or capability in a 

single agency or organization.

In a drill, participants: 

▪ Gain training on new equipment 

▪ Validate procedures 

▪ Practice and maintain skills 

▪ Determine if plans can be executed as designed

▪ Prepare to collaborate in more complex exercises

Conduct Characteristics

▪ Timed event

▪ Immediate feedback

▪ Realistic but isolated environment
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Functional Exercises

A functional exercise (FE) is typically focused on exercising plans, policies, procedures, and 

staff members involved in management, direction, command, and control functions.

In an FE, participants: 

▪ Validate and evaluate capabilities, multiple functions and/or sub-functions, or 

interdependent groups of functions 

▪ Respond to an exercise scenario with event updates in a realistic, real-time environment

▪ Assess the adequacy of response plans and resources 

Conduct Characteristics 

▪ Requires experienced controllers using a Master Scenario Events List 

▪ Often uses simulators in a simulation cell 

▪ Simulates deployment of resources and personnel 

▪ Rapid problem-solving 

▪ Highly stressful environment 

▪ Involves multiple functions 

Full-Scale Exercises

A full-scale exercise (FSE) is a high-stress multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional activity 

involving the actual deployment of resources in a coordinated response as if a real incident had 

occurred.

In an FSE, participants: 

▪ Respond to complex and realistic problems that require critical thinking, rapid problemsolving, and effective responses by trained personnel 

▪ Operate under cooperative systems such as the incident command system or unified 

command 

▪ Assess plans and procedures under crisis conditions 

Conduct Characteristics

▪ Most complex and resource-intensive type of exercise

▪ Mobilizes personnel and equipment to the scene

▪ Real-time, stressful environment intended to mirror a real incident

▪ Events projected through an exercise scenario with event updates that drive activity at the 

operational level

▪ Many activities occur simultaneously.
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Appendix D: Available Trainings and Exercises

W ebinars

Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

Secure Beef Supply Plan 2/23/2017 Run-time: 51:25

National Training and Exercise Program 3/23/2017 Run-time: 38:21

Secure Poultry Supply Plan 3/23/2017 Run-time: 38:12

VS Train to Contain Biosecurity 3/23/2017 Run-time: 40:48

Secure Pork Supply 3/23/2017 Run-time: 46:53

Secure Milk Supply 3/23/2017 Run-time: 53:42

Update on the Secure Food Supply Plans 3/23/2017 Run-time: 58:33

Management of Permitting Under the Secure Food 

Supply Plans 3/23/2017 Run-time: 1:08:21

VS National Training and Exercise Program Webinar 3/23/2017 Run-time: 53:45

VS National Training and Exercise Program's Foreign 

Animal Disease Diagnostician Drills 5/2/2017 Run-time: 59:16

Florida New World Screwworm Incident 5/23/2017 Run-time: 1:10:30

What is FAD Eye? 6/1/2017 Run-time: 28:56

Map Video: New World Screwworm Investigations in 

Florida from January 2016 – Present 6/8/2017 Run-time: 0:48

Implementing Enhanced Biosecurity During a FAD 

Outbreak 6/13/2017 Run-time: 1:07:19

National Veterinary Stockpile Update 6/29/2017 Run-time: 57:15

EMRS2Go Mobile Application Webinar 8/22/2017 Run-time: 1:04:23

Foreign Animal Diseases 101 8/29/2017 Run-time: 55:02

Enhanced Biosecurity in Confined Poultry 10/4/2017 Run-time: 57:10

NVS Development of CO2 Whole House Gassing for 

Emergency Depopulation of Poultry 10/12/2017 Run-time: 1:06:21

Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician Continuing 

Education Opportunities 10/30/2017 Run-time: 28:10

Overview of the Dairy Industry Webinar 11/9/2017 Run-time: 1:11:55

National Biosecurity Webinar on How California is 

Implementing the Secure Food Supply Program 11/16/2017 Run-time: 57:08

EMRS Permitting During a FAD Response 1/11/2018 Run-time: 57:25

Carcass Management Discussion Group for State 

Agricultural and Environmental Officials 1/29/2018 Run-time: 50:08

Roles of the Case & Site Manager and Field 

Reimbursement Specialist during an ADR Incident 2/2/2018 Run-time: 58:07

10 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/sa_training_and_development/vstep/vstep-webinars
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Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

Niche Stakeholder Working Group (NSWG) 2/8/2018 Run-time: 37:24

Incident Command System Planning P 3/19/2018 Run-time: 59:42

Carcass Management Basics 3/19/2018 Run-time: 56:58

Overview of USDA Public Communications Policy -

ARMAR Exercise Review 4/9/2018 Run-time: 36:09

National Veterinary Stockpile Countermeasures 

Resource Ordering 4/19/2018 Run-time: 53:41

Supplemental Cooperative Agreements and Other 

Finance Issues Associated with a FAD Response 4/27/2018 Run-time: 1:01:52

Overview of the Incident Command System Planning 

Cycle 5/7/2018 Run-time: 47:54

Overview of the Incident Command System Planning 

Cycle – Part 3 5/14/2018 Run-time: 55:00

Resource Ordering II – Personnel and Vaccine 5/14/2018 Run-time: 49:03

Heartwater Disease Overview, Etiology and Ecology 5/30/2018 Run-time: 1:11:58

Overview of the Swine Industry 6/20/2018 Run-time: 1:05:33

Strengthening Collaborations for State and Federal One 

Health Approaches to Avian Influenza 7/13/2018 Run-time: 58:56

Operationalizing the Secure Milk Supply Plan: A State's 

Perspective 10/30/2018 Run-time: 1:05:47

African Swine Fever (ASF): Clinical Presentation and 

Diagnosis 11/6/2018 Run-time: 59:20

Phases and Types of an African Swine Fever Outbreak in 

the US 12/4/2018 Run-time: 54:59

African Swine Fever (ASF): Biosecurity 1/31/2019 Run-time: 55:20

Operationalizing the Secure Beef Supply Plan: State's 

Perspective 2/20/2019 Run-time: 57:09

Global African Swine Fever Situation 3/4/2019 Run-time: 1:17:45

National Movement Standstill 3/15/2019 Run-time: 1:17:48

African Swine Fever Messaging and Communication 3/28/2019 Run-time: 53:46

Complexity Analysis and Risk Assessment Tools 4/17/2019 Run-time: 48:35

Secure Pork Supply: How it fits into an African Swine 

Fever Response 5/1/2019 Run-time: 34:06

OIE Global Review of National Contingency Plans 5/1/2019 Run-time: 30:24

New World Screwworm 6/5/2019 Run-time: 1:12:02

Coping with Grief and Loss During an Animal Disease 

Event 6/26/2019 Run-time: 50:04

African Swine Fever 3D Considerations 8/13/2019 Run-time: 1:15:07

African Swine Fever Herd Plan 8/14/2019 Run-time: 48:44
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Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

EMRS Permitting Gateway 8/27/2019 Run-time: 40:49

African Swine Fever Situation and Critical Biosecurity 9/6/2019 Run-time: 1:07:22

African Swine Fever Modeling and Surveillance 9/12/2019 Run-time: 46:19

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Prioritization 11/13/2019 Run-time: 1:11:41

Epidemiology 101 (Part 1): Introduction to Epidemiology 

for Non-Epidemiologists 12/1/2019 Run-time: 1:05:39

Approval of Laboratories to Conduct Tests for EIA - VSG 

15201.1 1/3/2020 Run-time: 53:06

Risks Associated with Food Product Disposal and the 

Proximity to Feral Swine and Landfills in CA 2/11/2020 Run-time: 38:10

Alternatives to Wet C&D and Vehicle Decon Lessons 

Learned 2/18/2020 Run-time: 1:01:35

Passive Trapping and Surveillance of New World 

Screwworm 2/19/2020 Run-time: 55:11

Preparing to Implement the Secure Beef Supply Plan 2/20/2020 Run-time: 52:15

Epidemiologic Modeling for the use of FMD Vaccine in 

an Outbreak (April 9, 2020) 4/15/2020 Run-time: 1:12:55

Public Interface Approaches During an FAD (April 14, 

2020) 4/23/2020 Run-time: 1:03:41

FAD Safe – Puerto Rico – Day One 4/24/2020 Run-time: 1:33:10

NVAP Orientation Program 4/24/2020 Run-time: 1:58:56

FAD Safe Webinar – Puerto Rico Day Two 4/24/2020 Run-time: 2:04:10

Basic Principles of Composting and USDA-APHIS 

Protocols for In-house Composting 4/28/2020 Run-time: 1:06:32

Overview of APHIS's National Veterinary Stockpile (May

14, 2020) 5/20/2020 Run-time: 1:08:11

Biosecurity for Healthy Farms and Healthy Agriculture 

(May 21, 2020) 5/21/2020 Run-time: 58:24

Responder and Farmer Wellbeing Before, During and 

After an Animal Health Emergency 5/23/2020 Run-time: 52:52

Utilizing EMRS and the Phone Bank Staff for an Animal 

Emergency 5/26/2020 Run-time: 44:20

Mitigating Environmental Impacts for Mass Mortality 

Disposal Operations (June 11, 2020) 6/16/2020 Run-time: 56:55

Assessment of Commercially Available ASF Virus RealTime Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays 7/7/2020 Run-time: 40:33

Planning and Implementing a Carcass Disposal Site in 

Minnesota 7/29/2020 Run-time: 1:08:47

FAD Training Part 1: Sample Submission Guidelines 8/3/2020 Run-time: 1:28:47

FAD Training Part 2: Classical Swine Fever (1:07:32) 8/13/2020 Run-time: 1:07:33
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Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

U.S. Disease Detections: International Impacts Related 

to Exports Work (50:33) 8/19/2020 Run-time: 50:34

African Swine Fever: A Global Update and Approaches to 

Control 8/31/2020 Run-time: 1:22:17

Complexity Analysis and Future Planning (1:08:53) 9/11/2020 Run-time: 1:08:54

EMRS2Go (1:04:37) 9/17/2020 Run-time: 1:04:38

Registered Aquaculture Export Facility (RAEF) Inspection 

Program Part 1 9/29/2020 Run-time: 1:14:34

Registered Aquaculture Export Facility (RAEF) Inspection 

Program Part 2 9/29/2020 Run-time: 1:30:34

Aquaculture Overview, Field Investigations, and 

Aquaculture Trade: Overview of Finfish and CAHPS 10/6/2020 Run-time: 1:51:29

2020 NC - SC LPAI - HPAI AI Event and Lessons Learned 10/6/2020 Run-time: 1:08:20

Aquaculture Overview, Field Investigations, Aquaculture 

Trade: Overview of Crustaceans and Mollusks 10/6/2020 Run-time: 1:53:31

Aquaculture Overview, Field Investigations, and 

Aquaculture Trade: The Essentials 10/9/2020 Run-time: 1:56:49

Overview, VS 5-Year Aquaculture Business Plan and 

Update on the National Aquaculture Health Plan 10/14/2020 Run-time: 1:52:56

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) Overview 10/21/2020 Run-time: 1:08:43

Evaluation of Above-Ground Burial Decomposition in a 

Simulated ASF Disease Outbreak 10/21/2020 Run-time: 54:21

Aquaculture Overview, Field Investigations, and 

Aquaculture Trade: International Movement 10/26/2020 Run-time: 1:20:57

Puerto Rico Tick Surveillance Project 11/24/2020 Run-time: 41:27

Overview of African Horse Sickness 12/1/2020 Run-time: 57:52

Overview of Foot and Mouth Disease Webinar 12/1/2020 Run-time: 1:12:28

Meat Packers Exercise Webinar Series (Part 1): North 

American Meat Institute (NAMI)

12/9/2020 Run-time: 52:36

Meat Packers Exercise Webinar Series (Part 2): North 

American Renderers Association (NARA)

12/9/2020 Run-time: 38:04

Meat Packers Exercise Webinar Series (Part 3): 

Communications During an ASF Outbreak 12/14/2020 Run-time: 46:40

End Use of Carcass Compost from Catastrophic and 

Foreign Animal Disease Events 12/16/2020 Run-time: 1:06:08

Meat Packers Exercise Webinar Series (Part 4): NPIC 12/17/2020 Run-time: 1:37:58

APHIS Wildlife Services National Feral Swine Program 

(NFSP) 2/3/2021 Run-time: 58:14

Decontamination and Disposal Capability Gaps 2/8/2021 Run-time: 1:05:39
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Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

Overview of the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) 

Plan 3/8/2021 Run-time: 54:23

Carbon Material Acquisition in NC Animal Agriculture 

Emergency Response 3/31/2021 Run-time: 1:07:50

Lumpy Skin Disease Update 4/5/2021 Run-time: 1:20:34

Mi-Co Form Training on Active ASF/CSF Tissue Sample 

Submission Process 4/7/2021 Run-time: 58:46

UK’s Preparedness and Delivery Model for a Highly 

Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak 4/28/2021 Run-time: 1:15:30

NAHLN-FADDL Roles and Responsibilities in a FADI 5/19/2021 Run-time: 51:45

Livestock Mortality Management in Chemical or 

Radiological Incidents 5/31/2021 Run-time: 57:40

Swine Brucellosis Alternative Surveillance – Protecting 

Human and Animal Health 6/7/2021 Run-time: 1:04:11

Where the Rubber Meets the Road Webinar: KS 

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Prevalence Project 6/22/2021 Run-time: 47:54

Title: Wild Bird Movements and AI Viruses -

Relationships at the Wild-Domestic Bird Interface 8/19/2021 Run-time: 2:29:57

Avian Influenza in Wild Birds 8/19/2021 Run-time: 2:25:49

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in North American 

Wild Birds 8/19/2021 Run-time: 2:37:16

Where the Rubber Meets the Road Webinar: Grassroots 

Microgrant Project by Dr. Schneider 8/26/2021 Run-time: 38:37

Experiences with African Swine Fever in wild boar and 

domestic swine in Germany 9/1/2021 Run-time: 53:39

Developing New Animal Mortality Compost SMEs, 

Kansas Training 9/1/2021 Run-time: 51:50

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Techniques for 

Handling Poultry 9/29/2021 Run-time: 43:32

Incident Management Planning Cycle Tactics Meeting 11/5/2021 Run-time: 55:53

U.S. Animal Agriculture Industry's FMD Communications 

Response Mission 11/9/2021 Run-time: 1:01:07

Developing, Refining and Exercising the Iowa Emergency 

FMD Vaccination Plan 2/10/2022 Run-time: 36:43

Corrective Action Series Part 1: Responder Feedback 

Surveys and Facilitating Hotwashes 7/7/2022 Run-time: 54:38

Corrective Action Series Part 2: Review of Data 

Collection Methodologies for an After-Action Report 7/14/2022 Run-time: 1:00:36

Corrective Action Series Part 3: After-Action Report AAR 

and Improvement Plan IP Concepts 7/20/2022 Run-time: 45:52
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Webinars available on the VS NTEP Video Gallery10

Title Date Length

Corrective Action Series Part 4: Developing and 

Maintaining a Corrective Action Program 8/24/2022 Run-time: 50:32

Training

VS Professional People Training

Trainings developed under the VS NTEP and now available through VS PPT

Case Manager Training

EMRS for Epidemiologists and Disease Reporting Officers

EMRS for IMT Logistics and Resource Unit Personnel

EMRS for IMT Operations Personnel

EMRS for State Incident Management Teams

Site Manager Training

Poultry Field Reimbursement (using calculators)

Transboundary Diseases of Swine

Exercises

Materials available by contacting VS NTEP personnel

Title Type of 

Exercise

Year 

Developed

APHIS VS HSEEP Guidance Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Workshop Planner Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Drill Planner Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Functional Exercise Planner Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Full-Scale Exercise Planner Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Exercise Evaluation Guide Template Guidance FY 2016

VS NTEP Exercise After-Action Report Template Guidance FY 2016

State-VS Incident Command and Resource Management 

Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2017

Requesting a VS Incident Management Team and Transfer of 

Command Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2017

Unified Command Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2017

State-based Movement Standstill Planning Workshop Workshop FY 2021

State-based Movement Standstill Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2021

Movement Permitting Workshop Workshop FY 2020

Secure Milk Supply Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2021

Secure Pork Supply Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2021

Secure Beef Supply Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2021
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Materials available by contacting VS NTEP personnel

Title Type of 

Exercise

Year 

Developed

Emergency Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Strategy Workshop Workshop FY 2021

Vaccination Plan Development Workshop Workshop FY 2021

Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Field Deployment Tabletop 

Exercise TTX FY 2021

Agriculture Resource Management and Response (ARMAR) 

Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2018

African Swine Fever Producer-level Planning Exercise Workshop FY 2019

African Swine Fever Producer-level Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2019

African Swine Fever Packer-level Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2021

Beef Feedlot FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2017

Cow-Calf FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2017

Dairy FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2017

Swine FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2017

Swine Nursery FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2019

Swine Finisher FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2019

Swine Sow Farm FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2019

Small Ruminant FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2019

Livestock Market FADD Drill (on-site) Drill FY 2018

Livestock Market Shadowing Activity for FADDs (on-site) Seminar FY 2018

Fairs and Livestock Expositions FADD Drill (on-site) Drill FY 2020

Equine FADD Drill (on-site and virtual) Drill FY 2021

EMRS Drill - Routine Property and Fleet Drill FY 2019

EMRS Drill - Situation Report and Pivot Tables Drill FY 2019

EMRS Drill - Basic Mapping Drill FY 2019

EMRS Drill - Views and Charts - Inspection Tasks Drill FY 2019

EMRS Drill - EMRS2Go - 214 Daily Log Entry Drill FY 2020

EMRS Drill - EMRS2Go - Foreign Animal Disease Investigation 

Entry Drill FY 2021

EMRS Drill - 213RR Personnel and Supplies Drill FY 2021

EMRS Drill - EMRS Permit Request and Permitting Drill FY 2021

Screwworm Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2019

Backyard Poultry Depopulation Drill Drill FY 2018

Poultry Foam Depopulation Drill Drill FY 2018

Case Manager, Site Manager, and Field Reimbursement 

Specialist Response Skills Drill Drill FY 2018

Heartwater Tabletop Exercise TTX FY 2019

Complexity Analysis Workshop Workshop FY 2021

Complexity Analysis Game Game FY 2022
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Appendix E: Closed VS NTEP Events

Currently, VS NTEP Event numbers carry over year to year. Once an Event is completed, the 

number is retired. This allows the VS NTEP to maintain an accurate list of Events that have 

been conducted in the past. In the past, VS NTEP Event numbers were reused, thus the multiple 

uses of the same number are shown in completed Events. The following list outlines the VS 

NTEP Events that have been retired.

Priority 1: Build the VS NTEP Program

Objective 1.1. Institutionalize the VS T&E program within VS.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 1.1.6 (FY16). Develop guide sheets/checklists to 

facilitate the consistent development and conduct of all 

types of VS exercises, both discussion-based and 

operations-based.

APHIS VS HSEEP Guidance and 

associated documents were 

developed in FY 2016.

Event 1.1.7. Support VS in evaluating systems that can 

document personnel emergency training and exercise 

experiences.

Personnel training and exercise 

experiences can be tracked 

through the Resource Ordering 

and Status System (ROSS) in the 

Employee Qualification System.

Priority 2: Train VS and External Stakeholder Emergency 

Responders

Objective 2.1. Leverage existing training and exercise programs to raise 

awareness and encourage participation.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.1.1. Distribute lists of available ICS courses to 

emergency responders on a quarterly basis and 

coordinate with training sponsors to determine 

feasibility of additional courses.

ICS courses are available online 

through federal and state 

emergency management agency

(EMA) websites.

Event 2.1.2. Encourage VS IMT personnel to pursue the 

NIMS and APHIS training requirements distributed by 

APHIS EMSSD for Incident Commanders, Liaison Officers, 

Public Information Officers, Operations Section Chiefs, 

Planning Section Chiefs, Logistics Section Chiefs, and 

Finance/Admin Section Chiefs. Encourage other 

emergency responders to pursue training as it relates to 

their ICS position.

ICS courses are available online 

through federal and state EMA 

websites.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.1.2. Encourage VS IMT personnel to pursue the 

NIMS and APHIS training requirements distributed by 

APHIS EMSSD for Position-Specific Situation Unit 

Leaders. Encourage other emergency responders to 

pursue training as it relates to their ICS position. 

a. Encourage VS IMT Situation Unit Leaders to 

complete E/L 964: All-Hazards Position-Specific 

Situation Unit Leader training course.

b. Encourage VS IMT Resource Unit Leaders to 

complete E/L 965: All-Hazards Position-Specific 

Resources Unit Leader training course.

c. Encourage VS Division/Group Supervisor emergency 

responders to complete the National Wildfire 

Coordinating Group (NWCG) S-339: Division/Group 

Supervisor online training course; and/or E/L 960: 

NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position- Specific 

Division/Group Supervisor training.

d. Encourage all appropriate VS IMT members and 

other VS personnel to complete Contracting Officer 

Representative (COR) training through the APHIS 

Contracting Office.

Multiple Events were condensed

into one Event 2.1.2. ICS courses 

are available online through 

federal and state EMA websites.

Event 2.1.4. Customize the ICS 420 course and provide 

opportunities for IMTs to participate.

Event was combined with Event 

2.2.9. in FY 2020.

Event 2.1.6. Develop a library of animal handling 

resources for just-in-time training. 

A collection of animal handling 

links was created. The library is 

posted on VS District SharePoint 

sites.

Objective 2.2. Identify training needs, develop training materials, and 

deliver training for FAD/EDI preparedness and response.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.2.1. Market, promote, and raise awareness of 

the VS NTEP to VS and external stakeholder emergency 

responders.

Event was moved to Event 1.2.3.

Event 2.2.2 (FY 14). Identify training needs, develop 

training materials, and deliver training for the Foreign 

Animal Disease Preparedness Response Plans.

Training needs were outlined in 

Objective 2.4.

Event 2.2.2 (FY 15). Conduct a FADD swine euthanasia, 

personal protective equipment, necropsy and sampling 

wet laboratory webinar.

FAD PReP webinar was conducted 

in January 2015.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.2.3. Train VS and external stakeholder 

emergency responders on the draft FAD PReP IMT 

Transfer of Command Standard Operating Procedures.

Transfer of Command SOP was 

developed in FY 2016.

Event 2.2.3 (FY 15). PPT staff promotes available 

training for working with law enforcement and border 

patrol.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.2.4. Post the Livestock Market Emergency 

Response Plan Template planning materials on the FAD 

PreP website.

The Livestock Market Emergency 

Response Plan Training was held 

in Bossier City, LA, Omaha, NE, 

and Winchester, VA.

Event 2.2.4 (FY 15). ICS position-specific training: Kifco 

poultry foam unit training for emergency responders 

responsible for poultry depopulation.

VS participated in the University 

of Delaware Poultry Depopulation 

Training.

Event 2.2.5. Post the Livestock Market Emergency 

Response Plan Template planning materials on the FAD 

PreP website.

Event was moved to Event 2.2.4.

Event 2.2.5. Conduct a training session (one day, faceto-face) on the Livestock Market Emergency Response 

Plan Template in other VS Districts.

The Livestock Market Emergency 

Response Plan Training was held 

in Bossier City, LA, Omaha, NE, 

and Winchester, VA. Event was 

combined with Event 3.1.4.

Event 2.2.5 (FY 15). PPT staff market training 

opportunities to emergency responders on a quarterly 

basis.

VS NTEP is advertising emergency 

preparedness and response 

courses as they become available.

Event 2.2.6. Develop a training video on utilizing the 

iPhone for FAD investigations.

Training is being delivered in the 

FADD Course at Plum Island, NY.

Event 2.2.7. Leverage the FAD Eye to provide training 

including videos, case studies, etc.

FAD Eye is no longer used to 

provide training materials.

Event 2.2.8. Explore gaming technology to teach 

interviewing skills.

Due to the high cost of developing 

games, the workgroup decided to 

close this Event.

Event 2.2.10. Support the FBI in developing and 

delivering a training package on how to conduct a 

concurrent criminal and epidemiological FAD 

investigation. Training will be delivered jointly by FBI, 

VS, and State Animal Health personnel in each VS 

District.

Trainings are being held locally.

Event 2.2.11. ICS task-specific training: Deliver training 

for Depopulation and Disposal personnel. Event was taken over by NVS.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.2.12. Provide position-specific VS Emergency 

Management Response System (EMRS) 2.0 training 

through a variety of modalities to both VS and external 

stakeholder emergency responders.

Event was taken over by VS PPT.

Event 2.2.13. Develop and deliver ICS task-specific 

training: Case Manager Supervisor and Case Manager 

for infected premises. Training: oversee and educate 

producer on biosecurity practices and financial 

documents and processes. Infected premise biosecurity 

plans.

Event was taken over by VS PPT.

Event 2.2.14. Develop and deliver ICS task-specific 

training: Biosecurity manager for production facilities. 

Training will focus on managing biosecurity measures on 

infected premises with large and complex production 

practices. Include soft skill techniques and enforcement 

skills in the training. Include inventory of destroyed 

materials in the training. Train to create Infected 

Premise Biosecurity Plans.

Event was taken over by VS PPT.

Event 2.2.16. Leverage materials available from other 

federal agencies regarding responsibilities and 

procedures for working with contractors and make 

materials available to VS personnel.

Workgroup was unable to find 

materials from other federal 

agencies.

Event 2.2.17. Develop and deliver ICS task-specific 

training for cleaning and disinfection, Virus Elimination 

Technical Specialist. Include barn assessments, C&D, 

Depopulation and Disposal Group personnel in training.

Event was rolled into Event 2.2.31.

Event 2.2.18. ICS task-specific training: Deliver training 

for VS IMT Logistics Section Chiefs and the Information 

Technology Unit Leaders addressing National Veterinary 

Stockpile (NVS) state inventory management file and 

logistics section job aids.

NVS Training was held in FY 2015.

Event 2.2.19. ICS task-specific training: Develop and 

deliver training for the Carcass Disposal Coordinator (for 

all species). Delivery will take place through the 

Disposal Discussion Group monthly call.

Workgroup developed the Carcass 

Management Desk Reference 

Guide and Carcass Management 

Dashboard.

Event 2.2.20. Develop and deliver a face-to-face course 

focused on APHIS safety issues. Course will be designed 

for ICS supervisory-level personnel.

Course was held at the FY 2017 VS 

IMT Seminar.

Event 2.2.21. Develop and train District-level Strike 

Teams and Task Forces to support response activities 

focusing on the 23 Critical Tasks identified by VS for FAD 

response.

VS Districts developed districtlevel Incident Management 

Teams.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.2.23. Animal welfare and handling training 

(multiple species). Could be multiple trainings or stand 

alone.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.2.24. Survival Skills for Working in a MultiDisciplinary Response to Zoonotic Diseases. Workshop was held in FY 2017.

Event 2.2.26. ICS Task Specific Training: Develop and 

deliver Field Reimbursement Specialist Training for 

swine production operations.

Event was taken over by VS PPT.

Event 2.2.27. Train Depop Group Supervisors and 

Disposal Coordinators to assist growers in conducting 

farm level and barn level assessments.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.2.29. Develop and deliver training on the role of 

future planning within the IMT structure during a FAD 

response.

Complexity analysis tool was 

developed for use in an expanding 

incident. A game was developed 

to help participants use the 

complexity analysis tool.

Event 2.2.30. Develop a training on the 24-hour 

depopulation goal and policy, including a webinar to 

discuss ventilation shutdown criteria, procedures, and 

its decision tree.

Webinar was held on ventilation 

shutdown by the Indiana Board of 

Animal Health.

Event 2.2.31. Develop and conduct quarterly 

conference calls to discuss 

decontamination/depopulation/disposal.

Webinars were held on a variety 

of topics and were recorded to 

the FAD Eye SharePoint site.

Event 2.2.32. Conduct a national-level webinar, 

including VS, external partners, and industry 

stakeholders, to develop biosecurity and site-specific 

biosecurity plans for impacted industries and premises.

Three webinars were conducted in 

FY 2017-2018.

Event 2.2.36. Conduct a survey to determine what 

information management training, beyond EMRS, is 

needed.

Event was combined with Event

1.2.1. in FY 2019.

Event 2.2.39. Develop and deliver an introductory 

carcass disposal course for district personnel.

Course was delivered at the VS 

Emergency Coordinator

Workshop. ECs will be delivering 

the training to VS Districts and 

states.

Event 2.2.45. Develop and deliver a training on the 

development of a disease surveillance sampling plan 

using the VS Outbreak Surveillance Toolbox11.

Event was combined with Event 

2.2.43. in FY 2022.

11 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ceah-toolbox/home
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Objective 2.3. Promote and support FAD/EDI response training provided 

by the VS PPT.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.3.1 (FY 14). Continue to promote and provide 

FAD/EDI response training through the VS PPT.

FAD/EDI response trainings are 

being promoted through the VS 

NTEP newsletter.

Event 2.3.1. PPT will deliver new training for VS and 

external stakeholder emergency responders, including 

the private sector, on the Secure Food Supply (SFS) 

plans. 

a. SFS 101a – Overview of SFS plans for pork, milk, eggs, 

broilers, and turkeys.

b. SFS 101b – Support VS engagement in state and 

regional planning efforts.

c. SFS 101c – Incorporate commodity training into SFS 

to explain culture and structure of the participating 

industries.

d. SFS 101d – Deliver commodity-specific training 

discussing current permitting processes in SFS 

systems.

Several webinars were conducted 

on SFS. SFS recorded webinars 

are stored on the VS NTEP 

webpage.

Event 2.3.2 (FY 14). Continue to train analysts and intact 

Incident Management Teams in Emergency 

Management Response System (EMRS) 2.0.

Event was combined with Event

2.2.37.

Event 2.3.2. PPT will deliver new training for VS and 

external stakeholder emergency responders, including 

the private sector, on the VS foot-and-mouth disease 

(FMD) vaccination policy and contingency planning. 

a. FMD Vaccination 101a – Basics of the VS policy, 

response options, and roles and responsibilities.

b. FMD Vaccination 101b – State and regional FMD 

vaccination contingency planning.

FAD Vaccination 101 webinar was 

conducted. A vaccination 

planning workshop has been 

developed and piloted. A 

vaccination TTX is forthcoming.

Event 2.3.3. PPT will deliver ICS task-specific training: 

Captive bolt training for VS and external stakeholder 

emergency responders responsible for livestock and 

poultry depopulation.

Captive bolt training continues to 

be part of the VS PPT Program 

Disease Field Skills Course.

Event 2.3.4. PPT will deliver ICS task-specific training: 

How emergency responders can use the California 

Animal Health Emergency Management System tool.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.3.5 (FY 15). Quarterly FAD/EDI continued 

education distance training, e.g., disease refreshers, 

including tickborne FADs, novel diagnostic technologies, 

and screwworm response.

A webinar about FAD PReP was 

held in FY 2015.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.3.5. PPT will offer and deliver ICS task-specific 

training: Foreign animal disease diagnostician (FADD) 

swine sampling, PPE, FAD/EDI preparedness and 

response training in VS Districts.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.3.6 (FY 15). Emergency response support roles, 

e.g. biosecurity and safety.

Two biosecurity courses were held 

in FY 2015.

Event 2.3.6. PPT will deliver ICS task-specific training: 

Livestock and poultry appraisal (using calculators) and 

compensation training within VS Districts.

Training was conducted in all VS 

Districts.

Event 2.3.7. PPT will continue to deliver Foreign Animal 

Disease Investigation Refresher (FADIR), Foreign Animal 

Disease Response Refresher (FADRR), Outbreak 

Investigations, Geospatial, and Field Epidemiology 

training courses.

Courses continue to be conducted 

by VS PPT.

Event 2.3.8. PPT will facilitate delivery of a webinar on 

Workers Compensation During a Response for Finance 

and Administration personnel.

Materials for the webinar are 

posted on the VS NTEP webpage.

Event 2.3.9. PPT will develop and deliver positionspecific training for the IMT Training Coordinator 

position.

Course continues to be conducted 

by VS PPT.

Objective 2.4. Train on new and emerging animal disease FAD PReP

documents.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.4.1 (FY 14-15). Develop training materials on 

one health core competencies and integrate them into 

future training Events.

Training was held in FY 2015.

Event 2.4.1. Conduct a webinar for VS and external 

stakeholder emergency responders on the FAD PReP 

Ebola Virus Disease Interim Livestock Response Plan.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.4.2. Develop a FAD PReP Standard Operating 

Procedure (SOP) on VS IMT deployment and raise 

awareness with VS personnel and State Animal Health 

Officials on the process to request and deploy VS IMTs. 

Training should include services and capabilities. Event

should include webinars to discuss IMT organization 

structure with state partners.

Materials developed were a state 

engagement SOP and Requesting 

a VS IMT and Transfer of 

Command TTX.

Event 2.4.5. Develop and deliver a training on new VS 

policies for FAD Response. Training will include a review 

of the 72-hour movement standstill/management 

movement policy.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities. 
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Objective 2.5. Create a model for ICS position-specific on-the-job training 

to facilitate emergency preparedness and response training for VS and 

external stakeholder emergency response personnel.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 2.5.1 (FY 15). ICS position-specific training for 

Incident Commanders and Public Information Officers: 

Develop and deliver an annual risk communication 

course focused on a FAD/EDI response.

Event was combined with Event

2.2.2.

Event 2.5.2. Develop a coaching/mentoring strategy to 

assist with training of VS IMT personnel.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 2.5.3. Develop a training that covers how an 

incident unfolds and the various job descriptions 

involved in a response.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Priority 3: Exercise VS and External Stakeholder Emergency 

Responder Capabilities

Objective 3.1. Conduct discussion-based exercises to validate emergency 

preparedness and response plans and capabilities.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.1.1(FY 14). The Science, Technology, and 

Analysis Services (STAS) National Veterinary Services 

Laboratories (NVSL) conduct a workshop to review 

existing NVSL and National Animal Health Laboratory 

Network (NAHLN) after-action reports (AAR) and build 

an improvement plan for corrective action.

Workshop was held in FY 2014.

Event 3.1.1(FY 15). Livestock market emergency 

response plan template and workshop.

The Livestock Market Emergency 

Response Plan Training was held 

in Bossier City, LA, Omaha, NE, 

and Winchester, VA. Event was 

moved to Event 3.1.4.

Event 3.1.1. One Health workshops that build on the 

One Health Systems Mapping and Analysis Resource 

Toolkit (OH-SMART) training received. In FY 15 this 

Event was moved from its designator of 3.1.5.

Workshop for state and federal 

partners involved in implementing 

monitoring of HPAI responders for 

influenza-like illness conducted in 

FY 2016.

Event 3.1.2(FY 14-15). National Animal Health 

Laboratory Network FMD laboratory 

receiving/accessioning drill.

NAHLN lab FMD sample receiving 

and accessioning drill was 

conducted in FY 2015.

Event 3.1.2. Provide tabletop exercises (TTX) to 

evaluate the processes to request the support of a VS 

IMT, integrate a VS IMT with state resources, and 

transfer command between teams.

Requesting a VS IMT and Transfer 

of Command TTX conducted in FY 

2017.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.1.3 (FY 14). VS T&E planning team conduct a 

workshop to evaluate existing AARs and real 

emergencies, and build an improvement plan for 

corrective actions.

VS training and exercise 

improvement plan developed in 

FY 2014.

Event 3.1.3 (FY 15). Two-day national workshop for 

incident management teams to build draft SOPs for 

transfer of incident command. 

VS IMT Seminar/Workshop was 

held in FY 2015 and FY 2016. 

State Engagement SOP was 

developed.

Event 3.1.3. Deliver a TTX, in cooperation with external 

stakeholder emergency responders, to assess the 

emergency preparedness capabilities to respond to a 

screwworm outbreak.

New World Screwworm TTX was 

developed and conducted in FY 

2019.

Event 3.1.4 (FY 14). Conduct TTXs in each of the new 

Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Services 

(SPRS) Districts on the mobilization, integration, and 

transfer of command between IMTs.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.1.4 (FY 15). Two-day national workshop for 

federal IMTs and state and regional animal health 

partners to review processes, identify gaps, and develop 

SOPs that will expedite issuance of SFS permits.

Event was repurposed into Event

3.1.7.

Event 3.1.4 (FY 16). Conduct a Livestock Market 

Emergency Response Plan Workshop in every VS District 

(virtual). 

Workshops were delivered in VS 

District 4, VS District 3, and VS 

District 1.

Event 3.1.5 (FY 14). Develop and make available to 

response partners an example of a one health tabletop 

exercise.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.1.5 (FY 15). One-day workshop at APHIS 

headquarters to develop SOPs to recall and mobilize 

personnel assigned to the APHIS Emergency Operation 

Center for a FAD/EDI.

Event was conducted in FY 2015.

Event 3.1.5. Develop online discussion-based exercise 

materials that are available for download by FADDs to 

utilize at local, state, district, and national meetings.

FAD training modules were 

developed by VS PPT and are 

available online.

Event 3.1.6 (FY 15). TTX in each VS SPRS District (6 total) 

to validate the transfer of incident command SOP.

Event was combined with Event

3.1.2.

Event 3.1.6. Deliver a virtual workshop to develop a VS 

IMT SOP for check-in and check-out procedures, 

including demobilization procedures, for emergency 

response.

SOP for check-in and check-out 

procedures developed in FY 2016.

Event 3.1.7 (FY 15). Develop and make available to 

emergency response partners a template of one health 

TTX documents.

Event was combined with Event

3.1.5(FY 14).
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.1.8 (FY 15). National seminar on the flow of 

information between independent USDA APHIS and 

state electronic systems during an emergency. 

Event was combined with Event

3.1.10 (FY 15).

Event 3.1.8. Conduct a series of webinars to discuss IMT

organizational structure.

VS IMT organizational structure 

was developed during the VS IMT

workshops.

Event 3.1.9 (FY 15). Series of national workshops to 

develop FAD/EDI joint information center 

communication processes and tools.

Event was combined with Event

2.2.2.

Event 3.1.9. Conduct a workshop with the VS SPRS 

Cattle Health Center staff and the Avian, Swine and 

Aquatic Animal Health Center staff to build 

communication between the Incident Coordination 

Group organization and IMTs.

Event was completed during the 

FY 2018 ARMAR functional 

exercise

Event 3.1.10 (FY 15). TTX in each VS SPRS District (6 

total) on the flow of information between independent 

USDA APHIS and state electronic systems during an 

emergency.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.1.11 (FY 15). TTX in cooperation with external 

stakeholder emergency responders to assess the 

emergency preparedness capabilities to respond to a 

screwworm outbreak.

Event was changed to Event 3.1.3.

Event 3.1.11. Develop and conduct discussion-based 

TTXs on utilizing any new 

decontamination/depopulation/disposal (3D) tools.

Event was changed to a seminar. 

Event is combined with Event

2.2.31.

Event 3.1.13. Develop and conduct a tabletop exercise 

for a team of state and federal animal and public health 

officials to manage response activities and infection risk 

for responders during a poultry disease outbreak caused 

by 1) a moderate risk zoonotic avian influenza outbreak 

strain, and 2) a high risk zoonotic avian influenza 

outbreak strain utilizing OHSMART principles.

Developed and conducted the 

Zoonotic HPAI Outbreak TTX.

Event 3.1.15. Develop and conduct a workshop for VS 

and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) officials to 

identify APHIS and FSIS regulations and policies that 

would be in effect during a FAD outbreak. VS and FSIS 

will develop a TTX to test VS and FSIS response during a 

multi-tiered response to an FMD outbreak. The 

resulting TTX will be piloted and then made available for 

district application.

TTX conducted in FY 2018.

Event 3.1.20. Develop and deliver an exercise on 

responder communication with impacted individuals.

This Event was combined with 

3.1.16.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.1.23. Develop and deliver a regional animal 

movement standstill exercise.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Objective 3.2. Conduct a series of drills and functional exercises to 

validate specific operational procedures and functions.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.2.1 (FY 14). Conduct drills in each new SPRS 

District to recall and dispatch responders for the ICS 

organization in that District. (Develop ICS 203 

organizational assignment list or similar tool, develop 

procedures and a call tree, implement procedures to 

recall and dispatch District personnel for a simulated 

emergency limited in scope to the District.)

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.2.1 (FY 15). Drill in each VS SPRS District (6 

total) to validate procedures for the investigation of 

potential FAD/EDIs and Emergency Management 

Response System (EMRS) 2.0.

Event was combined with Event

3.3.9.

Event 3.2.1. Develop and distribute drill materials to 

Public Information Officers to practice risk 

communication skills received from previous training.

Event was combined with Event

2.2.2.

Event 3.2.2 (FY 14). Conduct drill in each new SPRS 

District to test the readiness and use of foreign animal 

disease diagnostician kits.

Event was combined with Event

3.2.2.

Event 3.2.2 (FY 15). Drill at APHIS headquarters to 

develop SOPs to recall and mobilize personnel assigned 

to the APHIS Emergency Operation Center for a 

FAD/EDI.

Event was combined with Event

3.1.5 (FY 15).

Event 3.2.3 (FY 14). Conduct drills in each new SPRS 

District to test procedures for the investigation of 

potential FAD/EDIs.

Event was combined with Event

3.2.2. and is ongoing.

Event 3.2.3. Develop and conduct drills in VS Districts to 

validate captive bolt skills received from previous 

training.

Event was developed and 

delivered in FY 2019.

Event 3.2.4 (FY 14). Conduct drill in each new SPRS 

District to test animal traceability functionality for a 

FAD/EDI investigation.

Drills conducted in each VS District 

in FY 2014.

Event 3.2.4 (FY 15). Drill in each VS SPRS District (6 

total) to test Phase 1 as outlined in the FAD PReP 

Strategy Document – Classification of Phases and Types 

of a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak and Response, 

Draft March 2013.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.2.4. Develop drill materials for VS Districts to 

validate EMRS skills acquired through previous trainings.

Event built into EMRS component 

of Event 3.2.2.

Event 3.2.5 (FY 14). Conduct drills in each new SPRS 

District to test proficiency in the EMRS 2.0 procedures. Event combined with Event 3.3.9.

Event 3.2.5 (FY 15). Drill in each USDA APHIS SPRS 

District (6 total) to validate FAD/EDI joint information 

center communication.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.2.5. Develop and deliver functional exercise 

materials that VS Districts can use for Poultry 

Depopulation Group Supervisors and Poultry Carcass 

Disposal Coordinators.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.2.6 (FY 14). Conduct drills at APHIS 

headquarters to recall and mobilize personnel assigned 

to the APHIS Emergency Operations Center for a 

FAD/EDI consistent with the APHIS Mobilization Guide 

and APHIS MAC Support Staffing Plan.

Event was completed with Event 

3.1.5(FY 15).

Event 3.2.6. Develop and deliver drill materials for 

poultry depopulation barn assessments that VS Districts 

can use for Poultry Depopulation Group Supervisors and 

Poultry Carcass Disposal Coordinators.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.2.9. Develop and conduct a virtual drill on 

above-ground burial.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities. 

Objective 3.3. Participate and engage in trainings and exercises sponsored 

by or in collaboration with external stakeholder emergency responders that 

support the VS T&E strategy.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.3.1 (FY 14). Collect and catalog preparedness

including those international in scope.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.3.1. Conduct workshop on area command with 

Northeast state and VS partners. This started with VS 

and MSPSA planning for Area Command.

Event was completed with Event 

3.3.2.

Event 3.3.2 (FY 14). Notify emergency responders of 

upcoming events.

Event was combined with Event 

1.2.3.

Event 3.3.2. Conduct a joint Multistate Partnership for 

Security in Agriculture (MSPSA) and VS TTX for incident 

command and resource management during a multistate FAD outbreak.

The State-VS Resource 

Management and Incident 

Command TTX was developed and 

delivered in FY 2017.

Event 3.3.3. Conduct joint MSPSA and VS drills for 

incident command and resource management during a 

multi-state FAD outbreak.

This Event was combined with 

Event 3.3.4.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.3.4. Develop and conduct a joint state and VS 

multi-day functional exercise (Foreign Animal Disease 

Southern Agriculture Functional Exercise [FADSAFE]). 

The exercise will engage VS and the Southern Animal 

Health Association states.

The ARMAR functional exercise 

was developed and delivered in FY 

2018 and the FAD SAFE functional 

exercise was developed and 

delivered in FY 2022.

Event 3.3.5 (FY 15). VS personnel participate in external 

stakeholder exercises.

This Event was combined with 

Event 1.1.6.

Event 3.3.5. Explore existing exercise materials for 

possible adaptation for use by IMTs in their training and 

preparedness programs.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Event 3.3.6. Assist VS personnel to participate in 

external stakeholder exercises and provide AARs as 

appropriate.

This Event was combined with 

Event 1.1.6.

Event 3.3.7. Develop materials and conduct TTX on 

Unified Command.

Unified Command TTX was 

developed and delivered in FY 

2017.

Event 3.3.8. Develop and deliver TTX or virtual drills for

Case Managers, Site Managers, and Reimbursement 

Specialists to practice skills learned in training.

Event was taken over by NVS.

Event 3.3.10. Develop and deliver a TTX on the 24-hour 

depopulation goal and policy, including a webinar to 

discuss ventilation shutdown criteria, procedures, and 

decision tree.

Event was closed due to higher 

priorities.

Objective 3.4. Adopt a process for VS T&E improvement planning.

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.4.1. Develop and implement an effective 

corrective action program to ensure that Improvement 

Plans from exercises and emergency incidents are 

implemented, corrective actions are tracked, and 

tangible preparedness improvements are documented, 

distributed, and implemented.

The VS Corrective Action Program 

was developed and is maintained 

through Event 1.3.1.

Objective 3.5. Address lessons learned from the HPAI Response AAR 

Improvement Plan

Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.5.1 (FY 15). Assess new technologies and 

processes that can support virtual exercise 

design/development, conduct, evaluation, and 

improvement planning.

Event was combined with Event 

1.1.5.
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Closed Event Reason for Closure

Event 3.5.1. Conduct a national-level workshop, 

including VS, external stakeholder emergency 

responders, and industry, to develop biosecurity and 

site-specific biosecurity plans for impacted industries 

and premises.

Event was merged into other 

Events.

Event 3.5.2. Conduct discussion-based TTXs on VS 

response plans. Specific plans that have been

mentioned include: deploying vaccine on a large scale, 

auditing biosecurity, utilizing any new 

decontamination/depopulation/disposal (3D) tools; and 

activating the NAHLN.

Event was merged into other 

Events.
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Appendix F: Acronyms

3D Decontamination/Depopulation/Disposal

AAR After-Action Report 

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

ARMAR Agriculture Resource Management and Response Functional Exercise

ASF African Swine Fever

CAP Corrective Action Plan

COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019

D&B VS Diagnostics and Biologics 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

EDI Emerging Disease Incident 

EMA Emergency Management Agency

EMI Emergency Management Institute

EMSSD Emergency Management Safety and Security Division 

EMRS Emergency Management Response System 

EPC Emergency Preparedness Committee

EPR Emergency Preparedness and Response

EUFMD European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

FAD Foreign Animal Disease 

FAD PReP Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan 

FAD SAFE Foreign Animal Disease Southern Agriculture Functional Exercise

FADD Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician 

FADDL Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory

FADIR Foreign Animal Disease Investigation Refresher

FADRR Foreign Animal Disease Response Refresher

FE Functional Exercise 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FiOps VS Field Operations 

FMD Foot-and-Mouth Disease 

FSE Full-Scale Exercise 

FSIS Food Safety Inspection Service

FY Fiscal Year 
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HPAI Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 

HSEEP Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program 

ICS Incident Command System 

IMT Incident Management Team 

MSPSA Multistate Partnership for Security in Agriculture

NADPRP National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program

NAHLN National Animal Health Laboratory Network 

NAMI North American Meat Institute 

NARA North American Renderers Association

NFSP National Feral Swine Program

NIMS National Incident Management System 

NPIC National Preparedness and Incident Coordination Center 

NTEP National Training and Exercise Program 

NVS National Veterinary Stockpile 

NVSL National Veterinary Services Laboratory

NWCG National Wildlife Coordinating Group

OH-SMART One-Health System Mapping and Analysis Toolkit

PO People Operations

PPQ Plant Protection and Quarantine 

PPT Professional People Training

RAEF Registered Aquaculture Export Facility

RHDV2 Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2

ROSS Resource Ordering and Status System

RPS Resources, People, and Services

S&P VS Strategy and Policy 

SAM System for Award Management

SFEAR Swine Fever Exercise for Agricultural Response

SFS Secure Food Supply

SME Subject Matter Expert

SOP Standard Operating Procedure 

SPRS Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Services

SSWS Secure Sheep and Wool Supply

STAS Science, Technology, and Analysis Services
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T&E Training and Exercises 

TEP Training and Exercise Plan 

TEPW Training and Exercise Planning Workshop 

TTX Tabletop Exercise 

USDA United States Department of Agriculture 

VERRC Volunteer Emergency Ready Response Corps

vND Virulent Newcastle Disease

VS Veterinary Services