This page is for state, territorial, and local partners to learn more about and complete the annual preparedness self-assessment process and provides access to the reporting tool, technical information, and additional resources.
About the Report
The State Preparedness Report (SPR) is a self-assessment of a jurisdiction’s current capability levels against the capability targets identified in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 requires an annual report from any state or territory receiving Federal preparedness assistance administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
The SPR supports the National Preparedness System by helping to identify state and territory preparedness capability gaps. States, territories, and the Federal Government use this information to help make programmatic decisions to build and sustain capabilities, plan to deliver capabilities, and validate capabilities. States and territories submit the report to FEMA by December 31 each year.
The 2016 State Preparedness Report follows the assessment methodology used by FEMA since 2012. States and territories begin by setting capability targets identified in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment process. They then assess their current preparedness levels for achieving those targets according to the 32 core capabilities defined in the National Preparedness Goal.
For each core capability, jurisdictions assess their preparedness levels in each of these five solution areas: planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises. States and territories use a five-point scale for each assessment, where one (1) indicates little-to-no capability, and five (5) indicates that they have all or nearly all of the capability required to meet their targets. States and territories also provide context for their assessments.
Respondents assign a low, medium, or high relative priority level to each core capability based on its impact on preparedness, and the degree to which respondents plan to build and/or sustain the capability in the near-term. In cases where their current preparedness levels fall short of their targets, states and territories explain the specific improvements they would need to address the capability gaps in their jurisdictions. In addition, states and territories provide their perceptions of the Federal Government’s role for filling capability gaps in the future.
The outputs of this process inform a variety of emergency management efforts, including: emergency operations planning, mutual aid agreements, and hazard mitigation planning.
Confidentiality Statement
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report data include jurisdiction-specific preparedness data that is FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO). The data cannot be distributed outside the Federal Government and is intended for recipients with a clear disaster/emergency preparedness mission and a valid need to know. Receipt of Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report data will be accompanied by this confidentiality statement and an interpretation guide. States and territories can share their own jurisdiction’s assessment without restriction.
Unified Reporting Tool
In 2016, states and territories will submit both the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report through the MAX.gov-based 2016 Unified Reporting Tool (URT). FEMA is transitioning to an online URT to make it easier for jurisdictions to complete a THIRA/SPR and to access their prior years’ THIRA/SPR submissions. The online URT also improves THIRA/SPR data storage for FEMA by centralizing all submissions in one secure database for easy access and analysis.
MAX.gov, the platform hosting the online URT, is a Federal Government-wide online platform that helps government agencies collaborate and collect information. Several Federal government agencies use MAX.gov to securely develop collaborative materials, conduct surveys, and share data.
Conducting an effective preparedness self-assessment requires active involvement from the whole community and we encourage jurisdictions to seek input from multiple stakeholders when completing their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report. To receive access to the Unified Reporting Tool or obtain a Section 508-compliant version of this survey, please contact FEMA-SPR@fema.dhs.gov.
Technical Assistance
FEMA provides technical assistance to state, territorial, tribal, and local jurisdictions to assist them in completing their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report process.
For 2016, FEMA will be sponsoring a series of in-person technical assistance sessions across the country. Sessions are intended to provide states, territories, urban areas, and tribal nations with in-depth assistance for completing and submitting their preparedness assessment using the reporting tool by the December 31, 2016 deadline.
Sessions will also present project management approaches and available data resources that can support the process, including our innovative data visualization program and U.S. census data tools. We also maintain a help desk to provide quick responses to states or territories with questions at FEMA-SPR@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA has developed several resources specifically to help jurisdictions transition to the online URT, including instructional videos, webinars, and a complete user guide. And in addition to the THIRA/SPR helpdesk, technical support will be available through MAX.gov.
Toolbox
2016 Unified Reporting Tool: FEMA’s tool for completing the preparedness assessment; contact your Regional POC to receive access to the tool
Unified Reporting Tool User Videos
Additional Guidance, Tools, and Resources
Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101, Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans
U.S Census Bureau’s OnTheMap for Emergency Management