Reasons to exercise together – towards a common direction and coordination of cross-sector exercises

This report is the result of a study conducted by the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) on behalf of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). The aim of the study has been to develop a process for direction and coordination of cross-sector exercises in order to contribute to the enhancement of societal emergency preparedness. Cross-sector exercises aim to enhance cooperation. The practical implications of this aim - joint management of the consequences of an incident - is an important theme in this report. It is argued that it is crucial to achieve a systematic feedback of experiences from exercises and incidents in order to gradually enhance the emergency preparedness capacity of both individual authorities and of society as a whole. The report presents a process for the direction of cross-sector exercises where experiences from previous exercises are utilized in a systematic manner. In addition, the report presents extended analyses of: ? the meaning of cross-sector cooperation in theory and practice, ? how to translate general capacities into observable objectives in the context of exercises (in terms of specific capacities and indicators), ? how to systematise the feed-back and utilization of experiences from cross-sector exercises. The report is concluded with a discussion of future trends and the role of exercises in society's emergency preparedness.