CISA conducts joint exercise to keep fans and athletes safe
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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Washington Commanders, FedExField and state and local first responders held a tabletop exercise this week to test response plans around hypothetical public safety incidents during a Washington Commanders game.
The Washington Commanders Tabletop Exercise, the latest in a series of assessments and exercises designed to ensure the safety of events at FedExField, brought together private sector partners and federal, state and local first responders to discuss pre-incident and incident information-sharing procedures, and emergency response and recovery operations following hypothetical events that present security and safety risks to fans, athletes and employees. This exercise took place over a four-hour period and focused on pre-incident information sharing, incident response and immediate recovery.
Participants discussed their roles, shared best practices and improved coordination mechanisms to help keep the public safe during football games. This exercise was part of an ongoing partnership between those involved and was not in response to any specific threat.
CISA encourages anyone attending events to follow the guidance of their state and local health officials and remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to personnel or law enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security’s See Something, Say Something campaign has more information on reporting suspicious behavior.
CISA works with sports leagues, teams, stadiums and arenas and other large venues around the country to develop and exercise response plans for all potential threats in today’s environment. CISA plans and conducts more than 150 exercises each year across the nation, and the agency has staff located throughout the United States to advise businesses, schools and other organizations of all sizes on ways to enhance their security and resilience.
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