NCJ Number
189766
Date Published
March 2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the priority of enhancing public safety and health through domestic preparedness in the United States.
Abstract
The threat that motivates the domestic preparedness program is a perceived rise in the threat of a terrorist attack against the country by a State, non-State, or individual actor using a weapon of mass destruction. Domestic preparedness requires unusual interagency, interjurisdictional, and inter-organizational cooperation to achieve what is both a national security and public safety and health objective. To succeed, the domestic preparedness program must have continued Federal support and sustained commitment from public leaders at all levels of government. To improve the current system, several important challenges must be met. First, uniform national incident command and emergency communications systems must be promoted. Second, effective local-State-Federal partnerships should be created. Third, training and equipment budgets should be integrated. In addition, dual-use initiatives should be emphasized; local medical capacity for mass-casualty incidents should be enhanced; and public affairs policies and media strategies should be developed. Resources are limited, so it is critical that investments in preparedness be made strategically, targeted on high-priority measures, and managed as efficiently as possible.