“The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) is the federal government’s lead agency responsible for preparing the nation against terrorism by assisting states, local and tribal jurisdictions, and regional authorities as they prevent, deter, and respond to terrorist acts. SLGCP provides a broad array of assistance to America’s first responders through funding, coordinated training, exercises, equipment acquisition, and technical assistance. One of SLGCP’s major responsibilities is implementing Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8 (HSPD-8). Under HSPD-8, President George W. Bush directed DHS to establish a National Preparedness Goal. Spearheaded by SLGCP, this effort brings together experts from federal, state, and local government, as well as the private and non-profit sectors, to set National Preparedness Priorities and to integrate federal preparedness programs into a more coordinated system to achieve the goal of a better prepared America. The National Preparedness Goal will enable members of the homeland security community to compare current capabilities to national targets, identify needs, establish priorities and, ultimately, focus our collective efforts to ensure that our homeland is secure”. (DHS. Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, 25 July 2005, p. 1)