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structure, authorities, and responsibilities of FEMA and the FEMA administrator.
Among other changes, PKEMRA transferred a significant portion of the DHS
Preparedness Directorate into FEMA, notably
United States Fire Administration
Office of Grants and Training
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Division
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program
Office of National Capital Region Coordination
Presidential Decision Directives
In 1995, the Clinton administration issued Presidential Decision Directive 39
(PDD-39), “U.S. Policy on Counterterrorism” in response to the worst terrorist act
on U.S. soil—the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma
City. PDD-39, built on prior directives, outlined three key elements of a national
counterterrorism strategy:
1. Reduce vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks and prevent and deter terrorist acts
before they occur (threat/vulnerability management)
2. Respond to terrorist acts that occur, end the crisis or deny terrorists their
objectives, and apprehend and punish terrorists (crisis management)
3. Manage the consequences of terrorist acts, including restoring essential gov-
ernment services and providing emergency relief, to protect public health and
safety (consequence management)
The directive elaborated on specific roles and responsibilities for several federal agen-
cies with respect to each element of the strategy. For example, PDD-39 gave the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lead agency responsibility for crisis manage-
ment, and FEMA similar responsibility for consequence management. Reflecting
the need for greater interagency coordination, PDD-39 also directed the National
Security Council to coordinate interagency terrorism policy issues and to ensure
implementation of federal counterterrorism policy and strategy.
Homeland Security Presidential Directives
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bush administration
issued several Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs), either aug-
menting or replacing the PDDs established by the Clinton administration. Among
several, the two most notable HSPDs concerning preparedness and response are
HSPD-5 and HSPD-8.
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