NCJ Number
192215
Date Published
November 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This memorandum from the Executive Session on Domestic Preparedness identified key issues of importance to the Office of Homeland Security in supporting and assisting State and local level officials when preparing for and responding to a catastrophic terrorist attack.
Abstract
The responsibility in preparing for and responding to a national terrorist attack is shared by the Federal, State, and local governments. The first responders to such an attack are almost inevitably State and local government practitioners due to their proximity. State and local officials already have an institutional infrastructure and equipment in place to respond to a major disaster. However, State and local governments rely on the Federal Government to provide backup, to develop national priorities, assist with threat assessment, determine gaps in national preparedness, and offer technical assistance and the necessary resources to meet national priorities. Therefore, this memorandum on domestic preparedness identified significant issues that the Homeland Security Office needs to address when working with State and local government officials to prepare and respond to a national or major disaster. The issues presented included: America’s ability to deter, prevent, or interdict an attack; the ability to rely and depend on cross-jurisdictional and cross-professional cooperation and coordination between agencies, and non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations; and the ability to sustain at both the operational and programmatic levels over time.