摘要: The threat of terrorist attacks within the United States has been an issue ofgrowing national concern. In April 1995, terrorists struck Oklahoma City with a bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building, killing 168 peopl... 展开 The threat of terrorist attacks within the United States has been an issue ofgrowing national concern. In April 1995, terrorists struck Oklahoma City with a bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building, killing 168 people and damaging a 48-block area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinated the federal agencies' assistance in response to that terrorist act. Two months after the attack, under Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 39, the President formalized FEMA's lead role in managing federal agencies' assistance after a domestic terrorist incident and required FEMA to take several actions to increase its effectiveness and that of other responsible agencies and the states in responding to domestic terrorism. These actions included updating the Federal Response Plan,1 assessing the capabilities of states and local governments to respond to a terrorist incident, and ensuring that states' response plans were adequate and tested. In May 1998, the President issued PDD 62, which reaffirms PDD 39 and further articulates the responsibilities of specific agencies. As requested by the former Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Emergency Management, we reviewed FEMA's actions to improve its capabilities to respond to terrorist incidents based on its response to lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing, requirements in PDDs 39 and 62, and its own guidance. Specifically, we determined the extent to which FEMA has (1) incorporated the lessons learned from the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, (2) ensured the preparedness of states and federal agencies to respond to terrorist incidents, and (3) ensured that states' plans are tested through exercises. 收起