Disaster Preparedness Demands Leadership

As America remembers the fifth anniversary of 9/11 and reflects on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, national preparedness month reminds us to prepare for emergencies.

 

The Department of Homeland Security has chosen the month of September to serve as National Preparedness month.  This campaign emphasizes the importance of leadership and collaboration in preparing for terrorist attacks, natural disasters and various calamities.

 

Also in September, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a study on catastrophic disasters entitled, "Enhanced Leadership, Capabilities and Accountability Controls Will Improve the Effectiveness of the Nation's Preparedness, Response and Recovery System."

 

"Leadership in the form of legal authorities, roles and responsibilities, and lines of authority at all levels of government must be clearly defined, effectively communicated and well understood in order to facilitate rapid and effective decision making," stated the report.

 

There is a critical need for leadership not only in the government but in corporations, educational institutions and communities.  America must be vigilant for the violent possibilities of terror or devastation from the forces of nature remain an unfortunate eventuality.

 

Read: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06618.pdf