The following is an excerpt from the introduction of this discussion guide:

People are talking about our emergency ‘safety nets’—local, state and federal—but they are worried that these essential services might not be effectively or fairly delivered when they are needed the most. Governmental agencies are concerned that they are stretched too thin with too few professional staff and too few resources. Non-profit agencies are talking about donor and volunteer fatigue in dealing with existing response projects and about their capacity to respond to any new emergencies. In light of these pressures, how do we mend our emergency ‘safety net’ so we can all be confident that our next public emergency will not be another national disgrace?

Approach 1: “Show Me the Money!”
  Funding Decentralized Preparedness to Meet Immediate Needs

Approach 2: “It Takes a Village”
  Coordinating Complex Relationships among Agencies

Approach 3: “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”
  Renewing Public Trust in Cost-Effective and Equitable Response