In the National Response Framework, the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages the
creation of state and local response and incident command structures. FEMA also recommends the
adoption of a joint federal, state, and local unified coordination staff configuration. These recommendations
represent a concerted effort to establish nationwide response and recovery protocols and structures.
Absent the adoption of nationally accepted protocols and command structures, the administrative
complexities of coordinating command and response measures could become disjointed following terrorist
events. For these reasons, recommended procedures under the National Response Framework are an
important resource for state and local authorities to create coordinated protocols.
Question: To what extent should agencies at the state and local levels be independent of federal oversight
and why?
