An Initiative to Advance Preparedness in the Central U.S.
In support of Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD8) the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) presents CAPSTONE-14. Under the direction of the CUSEC Board of Directors, CAPSTONE-14 is a three-year, multi-state scope of planning and preparedness activities culminating in a major, multi-state earthquake exercise in June 2014.  It is 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). Included in the initiative are both CUSEC Member, and Associate States.  

This effort will include mitigation, preparedness, recovery, and response planning activities, directly supporting legislation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. Ultimately, CAPSTONE-14 will support plans to inspect buildings and promote code adoption to enhance seismic safety and community resilience. 

CAPSTONE will build off of lessons learned during the New Madrid Seismic Zone Catastrophic Planning Project and National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE11).  It will complete the full cycle planning, training, exercising, while serving as a regional and national example to the Emergency Management community. 

The focus areas of the CAPSTONE-14 exercise will include (but are not limited to):

  - Regional Communications
  - Regional Situational Awareness
  - Regional Transportation
  - Private Sector Integration
  - Regional Resource Management
  - Regional Defense Support of Civil Authorities