Catastrophic event preparedness can improve, DHS says
While most areas of the country are well prepared to handle standard disaster situations, the Department of Homeland Security says that all levels of government across the country should improve emergency operations plans for catastrophic events such as a major terrorist attack or category-five hurricane.
Several areas, including evacuation, attention to populations with special needs, command structure and resource management, were listed as needing significant attention, as reported in DHS’s nationwide review to assess emergency operations plans in all U.S. states and territories, and 75 urban areas.
“Dedicated officials across the country have, for the most part, done very well in planning for and responding to disasters of the scope and scale most common in the United States,” says George Foresman, DHS Under Secretary for Preparedness. “However, the findings of the Nationwide Plan Review unequivocally support the need to modernize planning processes, products and tools, and to move our national emergency planning efforts to the next level needed for catastrophic events.”
In many states, basic disaster planning does not adequately address catastrophic events, continuity of operations and continuity of government, the report concludes.
Other state deficiencies found by DHS include:
* Warnings requiring emergency actions are not adequately disseminated to custodial institutions, appropriate government officials and to the public.
* Significant weaknesses in evacuation planning are an area of profound concern.
* Capabilities to manage reception and care for large numbers of evacuees are inadequate.
* Capabilities to track patients under emergency or disaster conditions and license of out-of-state medical personnel are limited.
For the full report, visit www.dhs.gov