"The best way to protect against the effects of harmful incidents is to be prepared. Preparedness and mitigation are important elements in reducing the impacts of acts of terror and other disasters. We will ensure all levels of public safety and emergency management are capable of rapid and effective response by establishing a unified, capabilities-based preparedness strategy incorporating all-hazards assessments, training, exercises and assistance for federal, state, tribal and local governments, first responders and communities. We will establish, implement and evaluate capabilities through a system of national standards, mutual aid systems and credentialing protocols, and supply technologies for rapid and interoperable communications, personal protection and incident management. We will implement and sustain a national citizen preparedness movement that includes private sector involvement. We will expand the Nation's community risk management capabilities and reduce the Nation's vulnerability to acts of terrorism and other disasters through effective vulnerability assessments and risk management programs". (DHS, Securing the Homeland Strategic Plan, 2004, p. 26)