Critical Components of a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness

• NCJ Number: 193855
• Author(s): Randall A. Yim
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Presentation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives. Downloaded March 25, 2002

Annotation

This testimony examines the preparedness issues confronting State and local governments in their efforts to combat terrorism. It reiterates a call by the General Accounting Office for the development of a national strategy that will improve national preparedness and increase partnerships between Federal, State and local governments.

Abstract

National preparedness for a terrorist event is a complex mission that involves a broad range of functions performed throughout governments, including national defense, law enforcement, transportation, food safety and public health, information technology, and emergency management. The General Accounting Office (GAO) argues that key aspects in the strategy to combat terrorism should include the following: (1) a definition and clarification of the appropriate roles and responsibilities of Federal, State and local entities-- previous work by the GAO found fragmentation and overlap among Federal assistance programs. Over 40 Federal entities have roles in combating terrorism, which has made it difficult for State, and local officials to identify available Federal preparedness resources and effectively partner with the Federal Government; (2) the creation of goals and performance measures to guide the Nation’s preparedness efforts--Congress has recognized the need to objectively assess the results of Federal programs, however, outcomes in regard to where the Nation should be in terms of domestic preparedness have yet to be defined; and (3) a careful choice of the most appropriate tools of government to best implement the national strategy and achieve national goals. The choice and design of policy tools, such as grants, regulations and partnerships, can enhance the Government’s capacity to target areas of highest risk to ensure that scarce Federal resources address the most pressing needs, promote shared responsibilities by all parties, and track and assess progress toward achieving national goals. Since September 11th, the Nation has been able to better coordinate preparedness efforts among private businesses, community groups, and citizens. The challenge is to build on this initial response to further improve preparedness that creates short-term and long term benefits. The GAO urges continued efforts to oversee the efficiency and effectiveness of these key intergovernmental relationships in order to best achieve the necessary level of national preparedness.