NCJ Number
223342
Date Published
July 2008
Length
51 pages
Annotation
Designed as a starting point for public health, law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections in planning improvements for cross-sectoral and cross-jurisdictional emergency preparedness and response, this framework document identifies the major gaps and problems in cross-sectoral and cross-jurisdictional emergency preparedness planning as well as some key opportunities for addressing them.
Abstract
The content of this document was derived from the discussions of a Workgroup on Public Health and Law Enforcement Emergency Preparedness that included experts who represented public health, law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections. In considering ways to improve cross-sectoral coordination for emergency preparedness, the Workgroup was guided by the following core principles: balancing Federal, State, and local power and responsibilities; balancing the common good with safeguarding individual liberties; preserving the rule of law; and building on existing emergency response coordination mechanisms and structures wherever possible. The Workgroup noted that the four sectors represented share overlapping responsibilities for the public’s health and welfare, yet they generally operate in isolation from one another despite sharing common interests related to protecting the public’s health and safety. This tradition of operating in isolation from one another has produced complicated jurisdictional features, different approaches and jargon for their operations, and misconceptions about other sectors’ roles and contributions. The Workgroup identified a set of action steps that have the potential to address existing barriers and misconnections that impede cooperation and coordination among the four sectors. The action steps pertain to organization and implementation; roles and responsibilities; communication and information-sharing; and education, training, and exercises. Appendix and bibliography