The Plan brings together twenty-six Federal departments and agencies and the American Red Cross to organize Federal disaster response and recovery efforts and coordinate them with an affected State. Most importantly, it provides a known and flexible framework under which local, State and Federal officials can orchestrate their response to a disaster or emergency and make the most effective use of all available resources. FEMA has developed a special annex to the FRP to address the unique requirements involved in responding to a terrorist incident. Although the general threat of a terrorist attack exists, FEMA is not in a position to identify the likelihood of a particular incident or the geographic location where an attack may take place. Needs of the balance of the nation, particularly local jurisdictions beyond the largest cities and metro areas, are addressed with plans, training, exercises and equipment.
Initial training is reinforced and sustained with refresher information and updated instruction.
In conjunction with the NDPO, FEMA will continue to support preparedness activities in the areas of planning, training, exercises and equipment to further assist the State and local response communities. We also will continue to maintain our traditional links to the States for implementing FEMA programs and activities as we work closely with the FBI to help ensure NDPO activities are fully coordinated with FEMA Regional Offices and the States. Planning The responsibility for developing plans and implementing response falls heavily on the States and the local governments. FEMA is applying its experience gained in responding to natural disasters to guide the development of terrorism consequence management preparedness plans and procedures at the local, State and Federal levels. In 1997, we published the FRP Terrorism Incident Annex describing policies and structures of the Federal government for coordinating crisis management and consequence management activities.