DHS issues plan for national preparedness

DHS issues plan for national preparedness
By Chris Strohm
cstrohm@govexec.com

The Homeland Security Department on Friday released a plan to help federal agencies, state and local governments, private companies and nongovernment organizations achieve a consistent level of national preparedness.

The plan, called the Interim National Preparedness Goal, lists priorities and capabilities that must be achieved to prevent, protect against, respond to, or recover from major events, such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks. According to the plan, there are seven main priorities and 36 core capabilities that governments and organizations must meet in order to achieve national preparedness.


"The goal is an overarching statement of strategic intent. It demonstrates our national will to work toward establishing overall readiness against current and future threats," said Matt Mayer, acting director of the DHS Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness.


The seven priorities are: initiate the DHS National Incident Management System and National Response Plan; expand regional collaboration; implement the DHS Interim National Infrastructure Protection Plan; fortify information sharing and collaboration capabilities; improve interoperable communications; strengthen the ability to detect and respond to chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosive weapons; and strengthen medical surge capabilities.

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