---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 741"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "741"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/741"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Emergency Management"
  - "Subchapter II — Comprehensive Preparedness System"
  - "Part A — National Preparedness System"
---

# §741. Definitions


In this part:

- (1) **Capability—** The term “capability” means the ability to provide the means to accomplish one or more tasks under specific conditions and to specific performance standards. A capability may be achieved with any combination of properly planned, organized, equipped, trained, and exercised [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) that achieves the intended outcome.
- (2) **Credentialed; credentialing—** The terms “credentialed” and “credentialing” have the meanings given those terms in [section 311 of this title](/usc/6/311.md).
- (3) **Hazard—** The term “hazard” has the meaning given that term under [section 5195a(a)(1) of title 42](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-1).
- (4) **Mission assignment—** The term “mission assignment” means a work order issued to a [Federal agency](/usc/6/677a.md?p=4) by the [Agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1), directing completion by that [agency](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) of a specified task and setting forth funding, other managerial controls, and guidance.
- (5) **National preparedness goal—** The term “national preparedness goal” means the national preparedness goal established under [section 743 of this title](/usc/6/743.md).
- (6) **National preparedness system—** The term “national preparedness system” means the national preparedness system established under [section 744 of this title](/usc/6/744.md).
- (7) **National training program—** The term “national training program” means the national training program established under [section 748(a) of this title](/usc/6/748.md?p=a).
- (8) **Operational readiness—** The term “operational readiness” means the [capability](#1) of an organization, an asset, a system, or equipment to perform the missions or [functions](/usc/6/101.md?p=9) for which it is organized or designed.
- (9) **Performance measure—** The term “performance measure” means a quantitative or qualitative characteristic used to gauge the results of an outcome compared to its intended purpose.
- (10) **Performance metric—** The term “performance metric” means a particular value or characteristic used to measure the outcome that is generally expressed in terms of a baseline and a target.
- (11) **Prevention—** The term “prevention” means any activity undertaken to avoid, prevent, or stop a threatened or actual [act of terrorism](/usc/6/444.md?p=2-A).
- (12) **Resources—** The term “resources” has the meaning given that term in [section 311 of this title](/usc/6/311.md).
- (13) **Type—** The term “type” means a classification of [resources](#12) that refers to the [capability](#1) of a resource.
- (14) **Typed; typing—** The terms “typed” and “typing” have the meanings given those terms in [section 311 of this title](/usc/6/311.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 641, Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1424; Pub. L. 110–53, title IV, § 401(b), Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 302.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2007—Pars. (2) to (14). Pub. L. 110–53 added pars. (2) and (12) to (14) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (10) as (3) to (11), respectively.