ASPR’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) supports state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) authorities as they build and sustain jurisdictional stockpiles. Because SLTT authorities know their communities best and are the first to respond during emergencies, SNS partners with them by providing technical assistance, collaborating on planning efforts, and supporting exercises that strengthen preparedness and enhance SLTT resilience.
Building this frontline capacity requires SLTT public health and emergency response agencies to locally store and maintain their own stockpiles of commercially available medical supplies and countermeasures. These jurisdictional stockpiles support immediate health and medical needs and serve as a vital first line of defense, placing lifesaving resources closer to the point of need and reducing response times during emergencies and disasters.
A growing number of jurisdictions have established their own stockpiles of essential medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment, to ensure resources are ready for rapid deployment to their communities during emergencies. Other jurisdictions are developing or exploring similar stockpiling capabilities and programs.
What is a Jurisdictional Stockpile?
A non-federal cache of commercially available medical supplies locally stored and maintained by a:
- State
- Directly funded locality
- Federally recognized tribe
- U.S. territory or freely associated state
- Multi-jurisdictional regional collaboration
Jurisdictional and Federal Stockpiles Work Together
Built around local risks and needs, jurisdictional stockpiles are designed to support and complement—not replace—the SNS. Many lifesaving products are commercially available and can be stored locally for immediate access. The SNS mobilizes for large-scale or complex national incidents involving a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive threat; an emerging infectious disease; or pandemic influenza. The SNS also maintains highly specialized medical countermeasures not found elsewhere, making the SNS a national resource even for targeted or small-scale incidents.
A Nationwide Approach to Stockpiling
The SNS launched the nationwide Jurisdictional Stockpile Program in response to the Executive Order on
Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (March 18, 2025).
The program helps SLTT governments build their own emergency stockpiles tailored to their unique risks, populations, and operational needs. It provides SLTT partners with expert guidance, technical assistance, and planning tools to support jurisdictions at every stage of stockpile development—from initial planning through long-term maintenance and sustainment.
The program framework reflects input from preparedness partners nationwide and draws on the collective experience of the preparedness community.
How the SNS Supports Jurisdictional Stockpiling
Technical Assistance and Guidance
Expert consultation, planning tools, and practical resources for designing, establishing, and sustaining jurisdictional stockpiles aligned with federal priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Liaison Services
Facilitates collaboration across public health, emergency management, and preparedness partners and supports alignment and sharing of best practices.
Exercise
Support
Helps jurisdictions test stockpile operations through preparedness exercises to validate and improve medical countermeasure distribution plans.
Contact the SNS
For more information, access to resources, or to request technical assistance and support for jurisdictional stockpiling efforts, contact the SNS Office of State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Preparedness at
sns-sltt@hhs.gov.
