[20 Test Answers] FEMA IS-453: Introduction to Homeland Security Planning

Here are the test answers to FEMA IS-453: Introduction to Homeland Security Planning.

Overview: The FEMA IS-453 course was published on 10/31/2013 to serve as an introduction to, and overview of, homeland security planning. This course is meant to act as an awareness tool for employees who may or may not have a direct homeland security planning job function.

The primary goal of the FEMA IS-453 course is to familiarize DHS employees with basic planning knowledge, as well as to encourage them to learn more about the planning process and to build basic analytical and planning skills.

FEMA IS-453 test answers

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Question 1. Which of the following is not a major task or activity in the planning process of Implement, Evaluate, and Revise the final Plan?
A. Develop and compare courses of action.
B. Train personnel for the needed knowledge, skills, and abilities✅
C. Revise and update the plan and incorporate lessons learned
D. Develop multi-organizational training exercises

Question 2. Goals are _____, while objectives are _____.
A. Very specific for an all hazards scenario; very specific for a whole community planning effort
B. More incident specific; more general in nature
C. Broad, general statements that indicate the intended solution to problems identified; more specific and are actions carried out during plan execution✅
D. For strategic plans; for tactical plans

Question 3. Creative thinking in planning is important because it helps to _____?
A. Turn the predominant course of action into a solid concept
B. Provide structure and logical assessment in hectic, high-stress, or uncertain situations
C. Keep your mind focused on the main tasks
D. Develop imaginative and innovative solutions to fulfill requirements✅

Scenario for Question 4: You have received credible information that there is a terrorist plot planned against the Central City chemical plant. You have been asked to develop a plan related to this information. This is what we know so far:

  • A group of terrorists is planning to steal chemicals from either the Central City chemical plant, the warehouse, or a freight train carrying the chemicals.
  • They intend to use the stolen chemicals to construct a weapon of mass destruction to be used in a future attack against the United States.
  • They are planning to cause major destruction to the chemical plant to cover their tracks.
  • At this point, we don’t know if the terrorists are home-grown or foreign
    • Two of the suspected terrorists are believed to be criminal aliens in the United States.
    • We don’t know if any members of the terrorist group will need to cross the U.S. border.
    • We also don’t know if any of the materials used in the attack will be crossing U.S. borders.

Question 4: Based on the information above, which of the following statements is not true?
A. Courses of action will be compared using criteria developed by the planning team✅
B. The planning team would ideally include subject matter experts on chemicals used in a terrorist attack
C. The planning team develops a mission statement that identifies the problem to be solved
D. The planning team should develop one course of action to resolve the problem

Scenario for Question 5: You have received credible information that there is a terrorist plot planned against the Central City chemical plant. You have been asked to develop a plan related to this information. This is what we know so far:

  • A group of terrorists is planning to steal chemicals from either the Central City chemical plant, the warehouse, or a freight train carrying the chemicals.
  • They intend to use the stolen chemicals to construct a weapon of mass destruction to be used in a future attack against the United States.
  • They are planning to cause major destruction to the chemical plant to cover their tracks.
  • At this point, we don’t know if the terrorists are homegrown or foreign.
    • Two of the suspected terrorists are believed to be criminal aliens in the United States.
    • We don’t know if any members of the terrorist group will need to cross the U.S. border.
    • We also don’t know if any of the materials used in the attack will be crossing U.S. borders.

Question 5: Based on the information above, which of the following is a valid and necessary assumption related to the scenario?
A. Terrorists will use an explosive device as part of the plan✅
B. The railroad tracks run next to the Central City chemical plant.
C. The Central City Police Department in partnership with the Fusion Center monitors information related to the planned attack
D. The terrorists don’t like many things about the American way of life

Question 6. Which of the following is not a benefit of planning in a team environment?
A. Greater access to resources and expertise
B. More inclusive of stakeholders
C. Plans are developed faster because you don’t have to build consensus✅
D. More varied insight

Question 7. Which of the following are typically seen as benefits of planning?
A. Ensures that if a disaster occurs, everyone will be eligible for grant assistance
B. Planning can be done quickly by one person
C. Positions you to be ready to act, provides an understanding of complex situations✅
D. Provides for the slow, methodical exchange of information about a situation to eliminate wasted resources

Question 8. Planning is defined as _____.
A. Creating whole community interaction and team building
B. A methodical way to think through the entire life cycle of a potential crisis✅
C. The established method of generating regulations or legal requirements
D. A process to organize thoughts into policy

Question 9. Which of the following best describes strategic planning?
A. Planning for the precise, tactical actions of a specific response unit in a small town for a specific incident
B. Specific resource and personnel allocations are made
C. Explains how the plan is to be executed
D. Long-range goals, objectives, and priorities are established✅

Question 10. Which of the following is typically seen as a benefit of using a well-defined planning process?
A. Replaces the need for decision-making when a crisis is occurring
B. Separates critical thinking from creative thinking for a refined process of analyzing risk
C. Ensures increased access to resources
D. Provides a logical and analytical method to address complex and uncertain situations✅

Scenario for Question 11. You have received credible information that there is a terrorist plot planned against the Central City chemical plant. You have been asked to develop a plan related to this information. This is what we know so far:

  • A group of terrorists is planning to steal chemicals from either the Central City chemical plant, the warehouse, or a freight train carrying the chemicals.
  • They intend to use the stolen chemicals to construct a weapon of mass destruction to be used in a future attack against the United States.
  • They are planning to cause major destruction to the chemical plant to cover their tracks.
  • At this point, we don’t know if the terrorists are home-grown or foreign.
    • Two of the suspected terrorists are believed to be criminal aliens in the United States.
    • We don’t know if any members of the terrorist group will need to cross the U.S. border.
    • We also don’t know if any of the materials used in the attack will be crossing U.S. borders.

Question 11. You have developed the plan based on the information provided; it has been approved. Which of the following is an action you could take to help increase preparedness in relation to this plan?
A. Apply for a grant to develop a plan for responding to an improvised nuclear device detonation
B. Build a levee TBD from FEMA
C. Develop alternate solutions to the problem
D. Develop multi-organizational training to be ready to exercise the plan✅

Scenario for Question 12. You have received credible information that there is a terrorist plot planned against the Central City chemical plant. You have been asked to develop a plan related to this information. This is what we know so far:

  • A group of terrorists is planning to steal chemicals from either the Central City chemical plant, the warehouse, or a freight train carrying the chemicals.
  • They intend to use the stolen chemicals to construct a weapon of mass destruction to be used in a future attack against the United States.
  • They are planning to cause major destruction to the chemical plant to cover their tracks.
  • At this point, we don’t know if the terrorists are home-grown or foreign.
    • Two of the suspected terrorists are believed to be criminal aliens in the United States.
    • We don’t know if any members of the terrorist group will need to cross the U.S. border.
    • We also don’t know if any of the materials used in the attack will be crossing U.S. borders.

Question 12. Based on the information above, which of the following is a fact related to this scenario?
A. Terrorists don’t have access to mortars or rockets.
B. Terrorists are planning on stealing chemicals from Central City.✅
C. Criminal aliens are part of the terrorist group conducting the attack.
D. Terrorists will use an explosive device as part of the plan.

Question 13. After an incident occurs, which mission area includes as a planning consideration the need to address the full range of physical, programmatic, communications, psychological, and emotional needs of the community?
A. Recovery✅
B. Prevention
C. Mitigation
D. Protection

Question 14. Which of the following are the five mission areas identified in the National Preparedness Goal?
A. Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, Recovery✅
B. Preparedness, Prevention, Mitigation, Response, Recovery
C. Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, Revitalization
D. Protection, Planning, Mitigation, Response, Recovery

Question 15. Which of the following planning considerations is common to all of the mission areas?
A. Consider economic recovery in planning efforts
B. Activities are focused specifically on imminent terrorist threats
C. Consider all stakeholders—Federal, State, Local, Tribal governments and private-sector partners✅
D. Priorities for finite resources are the same, regardless of the mission area

Question 16. Which two mission areas include planning and occur prior to, during, and after an incident?
A. Preparedness and Protection
B. Prevention and Remediation
C. Recovery and Remediation
D. Prevention and Protection✅

Question 17. Which mission area includes as a planning consideration the need to collaboratively investigate and systematically collect and analyze information suspected of being, contributing to, or having caused a terrorist threat or incident?
A. Response
B. Recovery
C. Mitigation
D. Prevention✅

Question 18. Critical thinking in planning is important because it helps to _____.
A. Strictly abide by given guidelines
B. Provide structure and logical assessment in hectic, high-stress, or uncertain situations
C. Allow participation from all stakeholders
D. Develop imaginative and innovative solutions to fulfill requirements✅

Question 19. Which of the following is not a major activity/task in the planning process of Develop, Compare, and Select Courses of Action?
A. Reviewing previously identified resources
B. Develop the mission statement.
C. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each course of action
D. Identifying and describing all of the steps/tasks required to perform the course of action✅

Question 20. Which of the following are the major activities/tasks in the planning process of Understand the Situation?
A. Perform a risk assessment, select a course of action
B. Determine team membership, review and adjudicate comments on the plan
C. Determine facts and assumptions, develop courses of action✅
D. Determine facts and assumptions, perform a risk assessment