Every day, we take steps to help people and communities to be more prepared by developing the capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all threats and hazards. Whether we face risks related to earthquakes, cyberattacks or chemical spills, our goal is shared: safety and resilience.
Presidential Policy Directive-8
Experience tells us that when the whole community comes together to tackle a challenge—and everyone plays a role—the end result is more effective. Everyone—not just the government—needs to be involved in a systematic effort to keep the nation safe from harm and resilient when struck by hazards like natural disasters, acts of terrorism and pandemics.
Presidential Policy Directive / PPD-8: National Preparedness recognizes that preparedness is a shared responsibility. It calls on federal departments and agencies to work with the whole community around six elements:
Goal
The common goal is a secure and resilient nation. We define a series of national preparedness elements that are needed to achieve this goal.
National Preparedness Goal
Approach
We outline an organized approach for the whole community and provide resources and tools for achieving the goal.
National Preparedness System
Frameworks
We define how we will work together to best meet needs in each of the five mission areas: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery.
National Planning Frameworks
Annual Report
We evaluate annual preparedness progress and challenges facing the whole community.
National Preparedness Report
Federal Plans
We describe how federal efforts can work together to support state and local plans — the federal government’s concept of operations for each of the five mission areas.
Federal Interagency Operational Plans
Build and Sustain Preparedness
We continue ongoing efforts for:
- Public outreach, community-based and private sector programs
- Federal preparedness
- Grants, technical assistance and other federal preparedness support
- Research and development
National Preparedness Reports
FEMA’s 2023 National Preparedness Report provides a data-driven picture of national preparedness and emergency management trends. This includes focused discussions on four core capabilities: Fire Management and Suppression; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services; and Long-Term Vulnerability Reduction. The report identifies the challenges that emergency managers face in addressing a changing risk environment and how they can meet those challenges to help achieve a more prepared nation. This annual report offers all levels of government, tribes, the private and nonprofit sectors and the public practical insights into preparedness that support decisions about program priorities, resource allocations and actions that can create more resilient communities.
PrepTalks
PrepTalks are given by subject-matter experts and thought leaders to spread new ideas, spark conversation and promote innovative leadership for the issues confronting emergency managers.
Preparedness Toolkit
PrepToolkit is an online collaborative environment in which individuals from all levels of government and the private and nonprofit sectors can prepare for risks in their communities. It provides an avenue to execute preparedness activities efficiently and easily and to share this work with others.
PrepToolkit provides emergency management professionals the tools to implement the National Preparedness System and embodies FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during and after disasters.
Preparedness Grant Case Studies
FEMA conducts grant effectiveness case studies to demonstrate how states and urban areas across the country use a mix of homeland security non-disaster grant programs to improve preparedness. FEMA chose case study locations to ensure geographic diversity and to link grant investments with recent events.
Browse Preparedness Grant Case Studies