HOMELAND SECURITY: Effective Intergovernmental Coordination Is Key to Success
Abstract
In my testimony today, I will focus on the challenges facing the federal government in (1) establishing a leadership structure for homeland security, (2) defining the roles of different levels of government, (3) developing performance goals and measures, and (4) deploying appropriate tools to best achieve and sustain national goals. My comments are based on a body of GAO's work on terrorism and emergency preparedness and policy options for the design of federal assistance,2 our review of many other studies,2 and the Comptroller General's recent testimonies on the proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS).4 In addition, I will draw on GAO's ongoing work for this Subcommittee, inclining an examination of the diverse ongoing and proposed federal preparedness programs, as well as a series of case studies we are conducting that examine preparedness issues facing state and local governments. To date, we have conducted interviews of officials in five geographically diverse cities: Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seattle, Washington. We have also interviewed state emergency management officials in these states.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407350
Entities
People
- Patricia A. Dalton
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office