Strategic management of disaster preparedness

Improving disaster response capabilities within this country requires better coordination not only within the Department of Homeland Security, but also across the federal government as well as with state and local governments and the private and non-profit sectors. To do so, in my opinion, requires strategic management and the use of thematic goals and transition forums. There are at least four strategic national challenges that need to be addressed in the process of doing so including 1. the shifting of preparedness and protection efforts toward an overall concept of national resiliency, 2. finding the right balance between border security and openness, 3. building a framework that will support comprehensive and coherent preparedness and 4. ingraining sustainability into homeland security and emergency management endeavors