FEMA releases updated National Preparedness Goal

In September the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the updated National Preparedness Goal. The National Preparedness Goal defines what it means for the whole community to be prepared for all types of disasters and emergencies, including natural disasters, disease pandemics, chemical spills and other manmade hazards, terrorist attacks, and cyber attacks.

The National Preparedness Goal includes 32 core capabilities, which are organized into the five mission areas:

• Prevention – Prevent, avoid or stop an imminent, threatened or actual act of terrorism.
• Protection – Protect our citizens, residents, visitors and assets against the greatest threats and hazards in a manner that allows our interests, aspirations and way of life to thrive.
• Mitigation – Reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of future disasters.
• Response – Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident.
• Recovery – Recover through a focus on the timely restoration, strengthening and revitalization of infrastructure, housing and a sustainable economy, as well as the health, social, cultural, historic and environmental fabric of communities affected by a catastrophic incident.

Each of these core capabilities is tied to a capability target that addresses how communities apply their resources based on the threats that are most relevant to the area and community. For example, a Midwestern city may determine it is at high risk for a catastrophic tornado, while communities in other areas may prepare for other disasters.

The National Preparedness Goal recognizes that preparedness is the shared responsibility of the entire nation – individuals and communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and local, regional/metropolitan, state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and federal governments.

For more information on the National Preparedness Goal, please follow the link below.
National Preparedness Goal, FEMA