Overview Executive Summary
New York State faces a wide variety of threats and hazards which requires the development of a comprehensive and coordinated Homeland Security Strategy. Our State remains one of the top terrorist targets in the world and also contends with forms of targeted violence, cyber-attacks, public health emergencies, and devastating natural disasters. New York has experienced several major storms in the past decade such as Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, Hurricane Ida, and Superstorm Sandy. Homes have been devastated by flooding along Lake Ontario and record snowfall has been seen in Buffalo. More recently, New Yorkers have fought against the spread of COVID-19, which is like no challenge faced in over a century. The threat of catastrophic events requires continuous attention, coordination, trust, and commitment from all levels of government, the private sector, and the public. Equity remains a guiding principle in how New York State supports individuals and communities before, during, and after a disaster. A commitment to continuous improvement paves the way to enhanced preparedness across all areas and levels of government. It is vital to remain focused on working as a unified team to ensure the State is best prepared to tackle the severe risks our communities face.
Overarching Framework Purpose, Scope, and our Framework for Implementation
Purpose
This Strategy establishes a comprehensive framework to guide and organize homeland security efforts in New York State over the next four years. Not only does the Strategy guide the use of grant funding and maintain compliance with the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), but it serves as a roadmap to guide the implementation of homeland security related programs, policies, and priorities across the State.
Scope
This document serves as an overarching statewide Strategy, not a strategy for any single agency or level of government. There are many stakeholders in our homeland security and emergency response efforts supporting this whole of government approach. Our focus is to implement this Strategy by building and maintaining the capabilities needed to address the threats and hazards we face.
Framework for Implementing this Strategy
The vision contained within this strategy, of creating a safe, prepared, and resilient New York State, will be implemented through a series of strategic goals and objectives. These goals are supported by programs, initiatives, and the development and sustainment of critical capabilities across all homeland security mission areas including preparedness, response, recovery, prevention, and mitigation.
New York State's Homeland Security Strategy
Provides a framework to guide, organize, and unify homeland security efforts in New York State.
Since New York faces a wide variety of natural, human-caused, and accidental-type threats and hazards, the State maintains an “all hazards” approach to addressing these threats and hazards by developing and maintaining the capabilities necessary to prevent or mitigate all types of disasters. This risk profile serves to inform decision- makers. It ties directly into other efforts to understand our risk, including FEMA’s annual Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) requirements.