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Nationwide Plan Review: Phase 2 Report
Title: Nationwide Plan Review: Phase 2 Report
Date: June 16, 2006
Author: Michael Chertoff, et al.
Institution: U.S Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation
Bibliographic Entry: “Nationwide Plan Review: Phase 2 Report.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Washington D.C., 16 June 2006.
Electronic Link: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/Prep_NationwidePlanReview.pdf
Key Words: preparedness, emergency planning, State, local, regional, risk assessment, hazard identification, Hurricane Katrina, DHS, FEMA
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
This report issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security assessed the status of catastrophic planning by States and many of the nation’s largest urban areas. Overall, they found the nation’s level of preparedness remains insufficient, although States and cities in hurricane zones generally have better preparations for disaster than others.
Only a quarter of state emergency plans were rated as sufficient to deal with a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, and only ten percent of municipal plans. The most common flaw among the plans was a lack of clarity in the governmental structure and how authorities would react to a major disaster. Other problems included a lack of planning to ensure accurate and timely information to the public, weakness in evacuation planning, and an inadequate plan to manage a large number of evacuees.
The States with feasible and acceptable plans were: Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont.
New York City was rated partially sufficient, while Washington D.C. was determined to be insufficient to cope with future disasters.
Name of Researcher: Tara Nonus
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date: July 17, 2006