Dec 6, 2011 – FEMA Announces Release of New National Preparedness System
New National Preparedness System Description Lays Groundwork for Achieving National Preparedness Goal
Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on behalf of the administration, announced the release of the National Preparedness System description, which will help lay the groundwork for strengthening the nation’s resilience against all threats and hazards. The system description is the second deliverable required under Presidential Policy Directive / PPD-8: National Preparedness, which was released March 30, 2011.
“What makes this preparedness system unique is that it engages the whole community –individuals, businesses, community- and faith-based organizations, schools and all levels of government,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “We recognize that the nation will be most prepared for threats and hazards when we work together.”
The National Preparedness System description identifies six components to improve national preparedness for a wide range of threats and hazards, such as acts of terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics and catastrophic natural disasters. The System description explains how as a nation we will build on current efforts, many of which are already established in the law and have been in use for many years.
The six components of the National Preparedness System are:
- Identifying and assessing risks;
- Estimating capability requirements;
- Building or sustaining capabilities;
- Developing and implementing plans to deliver those capabilities;
- Validating and monitoring progress made towards achieving the National Preparedness Goal; and
- Reviewing and updating efforts as needed to promote continuous improvement.
The National Preparedness System description incorporated input from state, local, tribal, and territorial representatives, many of whom also served on the writing team for the document.
The National Preparedness Goal, which was the first deliverable to PPD-8 and was released on October 7, 2011, sets the foundation for the implementation of PPD-8. The directive also called for the development of a National Preparedness System description to explain the resources and tools needed to achieve the National Preparedness Goal. Implementation of the National Preparedness System is a multi-year effort that is being coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the description lays out how the six components will interact to build, sustain and deliver the core capabilities needed to achieve the Goal.
Click here for the National Preparedness System description and additional information about PPD-8 and its implementation.