Effective plans are never finished. They can always be updated based on experience, research, and changing vulnerabilities. Community stakeholders and experts should be included in the updating process. At a minimum, plans and procedures should be updated:

• At least annually.
• Following drills or other exercises.
• After an incident.

As with all planning and implementation initiatives, there is a danger that enthusiasm will wane as time passes. An annual review and update process is a way to combat this problem and renew enthusiasm for a vigorous emergency management program.