Training and Exercises

Emergency Support Function (ESF) #11 Protection of Natural and Cultural Resources and Historic Properties (NCH) participates in a variety of exercises throughout the year. The goals of these exercises are to gain valuable experience and lessons learned that can be applied in a true emergency. These exercises also serve to educate other participants about ESF #11 NCH and encourage consideration of natural and cultural resources in preparing for and responding to a disaster.

This page will be updated with information about exercises in which ESF #11 NCH has participated, as well as known upcoming training that may benefit NCH responders.

Liberty Radiological Exercise

The Liberty Radiological Exercise (Liberty RadEx) was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in April 2010. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored the exercise which simulated a detonation of a Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD). Since the exercise began play 60 days after the detonation of the RDD, players could focus on recovery efforts directed toward the impacted area.

The exercise allowed ESF #11 NCH players and observers to experience how the program would fit into the response phase of a disaster, and learn the existing techniques for treating historic artifacts and buildings that are impacted by radiological contamination.