An Initiative to Advance Preparedness in the Central U.S.
Under the direction of the CUSEC Board of Directors, CAPSTONE-14 was a three-year, multi-state scope of planning and preparedness activities culminating in a major, multi-state earthquake exercise in June 2014. It was designed to strengthen partnerships between local, state, and federal governments, while engaging public and private sector entities in planning response and recovery from a catastrophic earthquake occurring within the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).
CAPSTONE-14 included mitigation, preparedness, recovery, and response planning activities that directly support legislation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Additionally, the exercise supported plans to improve building inspection capabilities and promote code adoption to enhance seismic safety and community resilience. CAPSTONE-14 built off of lessons learned during the New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Planning Project and National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE11). Focus areas of the CAPSTONE-14 exercise included:
- Communications
- Situational Awareness
- Transportation
- Private Sector Integration
- Resource Allocation/Management
- Defense Support of Civil Authorities
In November, 2014, CUSEC released the CAPSTONE-14 exercise “After-Action Report” (AAR). The report highlights lessons learned and successes from three years of multi-state planning and preparedness activities coordinated by CUSEC and our Member States. It also highlights recommendations that are critical to advancing earthquake preparedness in the central U.S. The report, lessons learned, and recommendations can all be reviewed by downloading the AAR from: http://www.cusec.org/capstone14/documents/CAPSTONE-14_AAR.pdf
As we continue to address the recommendations in the AAR, CUSEC would like to thank the many individuals, Local, State, and Federal Government organizations, and private sector partners who participated in the development and implementation of CAPSTONE-14. Their input and active participation in the years leading up to the exercise were the primary factor in making it a success.
Please continue to monitor the CUSEC Website and our newsletter for updates on earthquake planning and preparedness initiatives in the central U.S.
