Pre-disaster planning is critical to ensuring that levels of government, citizens and community stakeholders are adequately prepared to meet the challenges of responding to and recovering from an emergency or disaster. Preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, operational, debris and other types of planning are essential to timely and effective disaster response and recovery activities.

Planning is conducting a systematic process engaging the whole community as appropriate in the development of executable, strategic, operational and/or community-based approaches to meet defined objectives. 

Effective planning allows jurisdictions to influence the course of events by determining actions, policies, and processes in advance of an incident.  Planning promotes unity of effort by providing a common blueprint for activity in the event of an emergency.  

National Planning Frameworks

The National Planning Frameworks, one for each of the (5) mission areas identified in the National Preparedness Goal, describe how the whole community works together to achieve Preparedness throughout the community.

Planning Attributes 

Planning is the cornerstone of national preparedness.

Plans are continuous and evolving. They . . .

• Anticipate actions
• Maximize opportunities
• Guide response operations

That is why plans are often best described as “living” documents.

Effective planning enables jurisdictions to influence the course of events by determining actions, policies, and processes in advance of an All Hazards Incident. Planning promotes unity of effort by providing a common blueprint for activity in the event of an incident.

Emergency planning is a national priority.                                                             

Whole Community Approach

The  whole community approach recognizes that government alone is not enough to meet the challenges of an emergency or disaster event, especially those that are catastrophic. To be maximally effective, the emergency management team must leverage all resources, including those from the Federal level; local, Tribal, State and Territorial partners; non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like faith-based and nonprofit groups; and private-sector industry, individuals, families and communities.

Both the composition of the community and the individual needs of community members, regardless of age, economics or accessibility requirements must be accounted for when planning and implementing disaster strategies.

At the local level, planning efforts are assisted through local committees. Required by statute, each Parish or Police Jury President through the Parish Director of a local Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) must form a Parish Emergency Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC). The PEMAC offers advice and counsel on homeland security and emergency management issues including homeland security and emergency management planning.