National Continuity Programs Directorate
It is the policy of the United States to maintain a comprehensive and effective continuity capability in order to ensure the preservation of our Constitutional form of government at all times. National Security Presidential Directive 51/ Homeland Security Presidential Directive 20, released in May 2007, establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations. It also requires that continuity programs in the Federal Executive Branch (FEB) be incorporated into agency daily operations, and directs the coordination of Federal plans with State, local, territorial, tribal and private sector plans.
FEMA’s National Continuity Programs Directorate is the Federal Executive Branch Lead Agent for continuity of national essential functions. Our goal is to minimize the disruption of essential operations in order to guarantee the an Enduring Constitutional Government in response to a full threat spectrum of emergencies. The scope of our mandate includes development and promulgation of Continuity of Operations (COOP) directives and guidance, education and training, and coordination between the Federal, State, local, territorial, tribal and private sectors. NCP also coordinates and participates in Federal, State and local COOP exercises.
NCP also manages the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), the Nation's next generation public communications and warning capability developed by NCP in partnership with multiple Federal Departments and Agencies. IPAWS meets the requirements of Executive Order 13407, signed by the President in 2006, which called for the development and implementation of an “effective, reliable, integrated, flexible, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people....and to ensure under all conditions the President can communicate with the American people.”
Our mission is to serve the public by protecting our Nation’s constitutional form of government, and our vision is to become the Nation’s center of excellence for government continuity planning, guidance, and operations.
Leadership
General Martha Rainville, Assistant Administrator
Contact Us
Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Continuity Programs Directorate
500 C Street SW
Washington DC
Telephone (202) 646-4145
Fax (202) 646-7042
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Jul-2008 15:34:00 EDT