Homeland Security: Advancing the National Strategic Position

Abstract

"In March 2011, President Obama issued Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness that began a new chapter in the intent and scope of preparedness. To better understand the current policy, this article first chronicles the decade of refinement in preparedness -- from its definition to its guidance -- and then describes a number of emerging policy themes. It identifies policy concerns for federal policymakers to consider as the national preparedness strategic direction continues to advance. These concerns are (1) the operational approach to meeting national preparedness goal; ( 2 ) implementation of capabilities by the 'whole community'--from the federal government to individual citizens--to address the 'maximum of maximums' threats; (3) the inclusion of slowly emerging threats as priorities for action in near-term preparedness strategies; and (4) federal control over other governmental levels in the national interest."