State Exercise Operations
Mission
The CSTI Exercise Operations X-Team’s mission is to support state, regional, tribal, local, and private-sector partners—embracing a whole-community approach—in designing, developing, conducting, evaluating, and improving capability-based, objective-driven exercises aligned with HSEEP principles to strengthen statewide readiness, interoperability, and resilience.
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Vision
To be California’s trusted leader in innovative, inclusive, and HSEEP—consistent exercise program delivery, fostering a unified and sustainable statewide approach that measurably strengthens core capabilities and drives continuous improvement.
Goals
- Goal 1: Strengthen statewide exercise capabilities through HSEEP training
- Goal 2: Provide technical assistance to support high-quality exercise execution
- Goal 3: Promote objective-based, core capability-focused and capability—targeted exercises
- Goal 4: Support a statewide, whole-community exercise approach
- Goal 5: Continuous improvement and program accountability
CSTI’s State Exercise Operations X-Team leads a statewide all-hazards Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) to assist California in preventing, protecting, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from man-made and natural disasters. The objectives of our Exercise Operations Program are to:
- Deliver HSEEP training courses, both in person and virtual through the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) and closed contracts
- Provide exercise subject matter expertise and support to internal and external stakeholders statewide
- Facilitate the Cal OES Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW) and create the resulting multi-year schedule Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP)
- Conduct the state-level Capstone California exercise series (CAPS)
The CSTI X-Team is responsible for four major programs; the California HSEEP Aligned Operating System (CHAOS) an exercise support system, the Cal OES Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshop (IPPW) and the Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP), the Capstone California Exercise Series (CAPS), and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
CSTI uses the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) as the doctrinal basis for our exercise program. Exercises are a key component of national preparedness; they provide the whole community with the opportunity to shape planning, assess and validate capabilities, and address areas for improvement. HSEEP provides a set of guiding principles for exercise and evaluation programs, as well as a common approach to exercise program management, design and development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.
Distance and Classroom Learning Courses:
- E/L/K 0146 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): This is an intermediate course designed to provide a comprehensive overview of exercise program management, design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning along with practical skill development using HSEEP doctrine.
For more information, email: Exercise@CalOES.ca.gov
- E0131 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning: This course is designed to improve skills, knowledge, and capabilities of individuals and organizations involved in the evaluation of emergency management exercises.
- Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP): The MEPP program is a series of two classroom courses focusing on advanced program management, exercise design and evaluation practices in each phase of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). https://training.fema.gov/mepp/
California HSEEP Aligned Operating System (CHAOS)
CSTI’s State Exercise Operations X-Team has developed the California HSEEP Aligned Operating System (CHAOS), a comprehensive statewide exercise support system designed to enhance exercise program management, coordination, and capability development across California. CHAOS integrates a suite of HSEEP-aligned tools and resources, including a catalog of discussion-based and operations-based exercise series addressing a wide range of threats and hazards that can be delivered at the local, tribal, territorial, regional, and state levels.
As part of this system, the Statewide Exercise Activity Table (SWEAT) provides a centralized mechanism for tracking, synchronizing, and visualizing exercise activities across the state, while the Framework for Unified Support for Exercises (FUSE) establishes a standardized approach for coordinating exercise support, prioritizing resources, and aligning stakeholder engagement. Together, these components enable greater visibility, collaboration, and consistency throughout California’s exercise community.
The X-Team provides support for the design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning of both discussion-based and operations-based exercises. All activities are conducted in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine and best practices, emphasizing efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Through exercise planning meetings and stakeholder engagement, CHAOS supports the full HSEEP Exercise Cycle and strengthens statewide exercise program management, preparedness, and operational readiness.
Emergency Management Exercise Community of Practice (Coming Soon)
Join the State Exercise Operations X-Team, on the first Tuesday of every month, from 10:00 am, starting July 7, 2026, for an hour-long discussion on your emergency management exercise successes, challenges and your questions on the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) methodology. These sessions will provide exercise practitioners a chance to discuss concerns and challenges, get assistance, and share ideas from across the exercise community.
Please use the link to register. Community of Practice: Emergency Management Exercise
Al Lehenbauer
Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator/Instructor II
Phone: (916) 845-8874
📧Al.Lehenbauer@caloes.ca.gov
Vinnie Esguerra
Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator/Instructor II
Phone: (916) 204-7135
📧Vinnie.Esguerra@caloes.ca.gov
Nick Murray
Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator/Instructor II
Phone: (916) 516-2987
📧Nick.Murray@caloes.ca.gov
CSTI Training Portal
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EMI Training Portal
Visit the FEMA National Training and Education Division (NTED) Course Schedules and Independent Study (IS) programs.