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Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR)
 Complete document in PDF format
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) have joined together in partnership to develop a readiness and capability assessment system for State and local emergency managers. The result of this effort is the Capability Assessment for Readiness (CAR). This initiative further strengthens the new Emergency Management Planning Grant (EMPG) program between the States and Territories and FEMA by providing baseline information on emergency management capabilities and readiness.
WHAT:
The CAR Process is an initiative which is part of the State PPA/CA continuous improvement cycle. This process is designed to assess the operational readiness and capabilities of the Federal/State emergency management partnership to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies. The assessment will focus on the following 13 core elements for assessment that address the major functions:
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1. Laws and Authorities
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7. Communications & Warning
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2. Hazard ID & Risk Assessment
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8. Operations & Procedures
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3. Hazard Management
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9. Logistics & Facilities
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4. Resource Management
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10. Training
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5. Planning
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11. Exercises, Evaluations & Corrective Actions
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6. Direction, Control and Coordination
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12. Crisis Communications, Public Education & Info.
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13. Finance & Administration
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CAR provides a common format for a self-assessment for State emergency management organizations, together with FEMA Regional Offices, to communicate strengths and areas needing improvement. The State/Region self-assessment process seeks to answer three very basic questions:
- Is the emergency management program comprehensive for the needs of the State?
- Are the goals, objectives and mission of the organization being achieved?
- Is the State able to redirect strategic deployment of resources and help communities and citizens avoid becoming disaster victims?
WHY:
| Federal Law- |
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993, requires Federal Agencies to write strategic plans, set goals, and measure their performance.
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| U.S. Senate - |
The Senate Appropriations Committee (April 1996) requested development of a system of performance criteria that measures emergency management capabilities and operational readiness throughout the United States.
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| Endorsed - |
By the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) at their annual conference in San Diego, CA, in September 1996. |
HOW:
Each State and Territory will conduct a comprehensive self-assessment, in coordination with their respective FEMA Region during Fiscal Year (FY) 2000. The results of the assessment will be used to assist States and FEMA in joint strategic planning and identify potential objectives for Federal/State partnerships to improve emergency management.
The CAR process provides for the assessment component of the EMPG process and will continue to evolve in the coming years. It represents the firm commitment of both NEMA and FEMA to establishing a system for assessing the capability and readiness of each State and Territory to better protect our citizens and to better fulfull our mission of saving lives and protecting property. We look forward to all States and Territories working with us in completing this important assessment process this fiscal year.
The development of the CAR was coordinated by FEMA's Preparedness, Training and Exercises Directorate, and involved all FEMA Directorates, Offices and Administrators of FEMA, FEMA Regions, States and NEMA. This initiative has the full support of both NEMA and FEMA. It is a key part of the FEMA strategy, which is strongly endorsed by NEMA, to expand the emergency management culture to focus on helping communities to avoid becoming disaster victims.
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