United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2002-03-12 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:GAO-02-490T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T P0b002ee18037382c f:d02490t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T GAO-02-490T Counterterrorism Intergovernmental relations Agency missions Private sector Emergency preparedness Interagency relations Strategic planning Terrorism CDC National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program Testimony A02884 Protecting the United States and its citizens from terrorism involves both the government and nongovernment sectors. Enhancing homeland security is more complex because it involves all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories; thousands of municipalities; and countless private entities. Since September 11, the nation has taken many actions to combat terrorism and enhance homeland security. It is well known that servicemembers are conducting operations in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. A variety of legislative and executive branch actions to enhance homeland security have been taken or were underway prior to and since September 11. Government and nongovernment activities are looking to the Office of Homeland Security for further direction on how to better integrate their missions and more effectively contribute to the overarching homeland security effort. Having a common definition can help avoid duplication of effort and gaps in coverage by identifying agency roles and responsibilities. Although the agencies are looking for guidance, they also want to ensure that their unique missions are factored in as guidance is developed. At the same time, without a national strategy, some agencies were not sure what they should be doing beyond their traditional missions. Once the national strategy is issued, federal, state, and local government agencies and private sector organizations will need to work together to effectively implement the goals and objectives. Public-private partnerships were used to address Y2K concerns and similarly can be used to promote the national strategy. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T.htm GAO-02-490T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-490T Testimony GAO-02-490T; Homeland Security: Progress Made; More Direction and Partnership Sought; Counterterrorism Intergovernmental relations Agency missions Private sector Emergency preparedness Interagency relations Strategic planning Terrorism CDC National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program