"Local emergency readiness is the ability actually to conduct coordinated operations in extraordinary emergencies, making maximum use both of existing governmental forces and resources and of non-governmental groups (doctors, hospitals, news media), that have emergency capabilities. Emphasis is on tying together, and making operationally effective, local capabilities in the areas of facilities and equipment and of trained manpower. This means the ability to execute emergency plans. This Standard establishes criteria for evaluating the ability of local governments to conduct such coordinated emergency operations.... Local readiness for emergencies, to assure that all forces with lifesaving capability would actually "do the right things at the right time," is built by a repetitive cycle of planning, exercising, planning, and so on". (DCPA, Standards for Local Civil Preparedness (CPG 1-5), 1978, p. 35)