DHS Reveals National Response Plan

January 14, 2005 -- "The National Response Plan embodies our nation?s commitment to the concept of one team, one goal ? a safer and more secure America," stated Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge when he announced the completion of the plan last Friday.

The National Response Plan establishes a unified and standardized approach within the United States for protecting citizens and managing homeland security incidents. All federal departments and agencies that may be required to assist or support during a national incident will use this plan, whether from threats or acts of terrorism, major natural disasters or man-made emergencies.

Ridge continued, "With the National Response Plan our nation and its federal, state, local and tribal response communities now have a comprehensive, all-hazards tool for domestic-incident management across the spectrum of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery."