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 2002-03-28 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:GAO-02-549T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T P0b002ee180390377 f:d02549t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T GAO-02-549T Counterterrorism Emergency preparedness Intergovernmental relations National defense operations Performance measures Strategic planning Terrorism CDC National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program Testimony A02942 Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in preparing for catastrophic terrorist attacks. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is intergovernmental, national policymakers need a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges when formulating antiterrorism strategies. Key aspects of this strategy should include a definition and clarification of the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities. GAO has found fragmentation and overlap among federal assistance programs. More than 40 federal entities have roles in combating terrorism, and past federal efforts have resulted in a lack of accountability, a lack of cohesive effort, and program duplication. This situation has led to confusion, making it difficult to identify available federal preparedness resources and effectively partner with the federal government. Goals and performance measures should be established to guide the nation's preparedness efforts. For the nation's preparedness programs, however, outcomes have yet to be defined in terms of domestic preparedness. Given the recent and proposed increases in preparedness funding, real and meaningful improvements in preparedness and establishing clear goals and performance measures are critical to ensuring a successful and a fiscally responsible effort. The strategy should include a careful choice of the most appropriate tools of government to best achieve national goals. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T.htm GAO-02-549T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-02-549T Testimony GAO-02-549T; Combating Terrorism: Enhancing Partnerships Through a National Preparedness Strategy; Counterterrorism Emergency preparedness Intergovernmental relations National defense operations Performance measures Strategic planning Terrorism CDC National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program Public Law 93-288 Public Law 107-38