Homeland Security And FEMA Achieve Emergency Management Assessment Milestone
Release Date: April 14, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-046
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently completed its 25th state-level assessment of the National Emergency Management Baseline Capability Assessment Program (NEMB-CAP). Under this program, Homeland Security is striving to complete evaluations of 56 state and state-level emergency management programs by the end of 2005.
“President Bush and Secretary Ridge are committed to preparing our states and communities for all hazards, and assessing this readiness within a commonly applied framework provided by NEMB-CAP,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “This is yet another example of Homeland Security fulfilling our mission by supporting FEMA’s role as our nation’s emergency management authority and gaining a clear understanding of the existing capabilities of emergency management capabilities and programs across the United States. ”
The NEMB-CAP involves a multi-year effort to assess, analyze, evaluate, and collectively frame state emergency management capabilities against a common national set of criteria. Actual assessments of state and state-level jurisdictions began in January 2003, and are projected to be complete by the end of 2005. Participation is voluntary, but FEMA strongly encourages all states to take part in the program, which will play a key role in our national emergency management improvement strategy.
The NEMB-CAP consists of a review and evaluation of state emergency management systems and programs based on assessment criteria developed by, and employing the assessment processes of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). The EMAP was established through a collaborative partnership involving FEMA, the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and other stakeholder organizations, including the National Governors Association, National League of Cities and The Council of State Governments.
The assessment methodology involves the state completing a comprehensive self-assessment, followed up by an on-site, week-long assessment by a team of trained, independent peer assessors. FEMA analyzes assessment reports to identify individual and collective capability strengths and weaknesses. This assessment serves two purposes – one of establishing a national capability baseline and also helping target future federal assistance to areas of greatest common need.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Apr-2004 15:10:16