April 16, 2008 -- In a report released today, the GAO reported its findings with respect to: (1) the extent to which NORTHCOM has ongoing efforts to coordinate with the states and the National Guard Bureau in planning, exercises and other preparedness activities and (2) the extent to which there are any gaps in this coordination. To do this, GAO surveyed the state adjutants general, the highest ranking guardsman in each state, and received a 100 percent response rate, and reviewed interagency coordination plans and guidance. It found:

(1) NORTHCOM officials minimally involved the states in the development of its homeland defense and civil support plans. Less than 25 percent of the state adjutants general reported that they were involved in developing and reviewing these plans.

(2) NORTHCOM was not familiar with state emergency response plans and has no process for obtaining this information. Fifty-four percent of the state adjutants general reported that they believed that NORTHCOM was not at all or only slightly familiar with their states' emergency response plans. This may be attributable, in part, to the fact that NORTHCOM does not have an established and thorough process for cooperating and interacting with the states.

(3) A 2005 agreement, which is intended to provide the procedures by which NORTHCOM and NGB interact, does not fully or clearly define each agency's roles and responsibilities for planning for homeland defense and civil support. The lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities has resulted in confusion and duplicative or wasted efforts.

In a statement issued today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chair, Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.said, "NORTHCOM must be a shining example of cooperation with state and federal partners, so that when called upon for support, they will be ready to assist. Concept plans sitting on a bookshelf and interagency conference calls don't make up for a lack of operational planning. True readiness is found by practicing like we will have to play in a true disaster."