“This report analyzes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) work with the private sector in implementing FEMA’s goals via public-private partnerships. … FEMA’s experience with the safe construction networks does suggest that national goals can be pursued through indirect means but that there may be less control when agencies work through networks. Agencies must be prepared to deal with non-hierarchical relationships, invest time and energy in relationship building, separate regulatory and partnership building functions, be open to participation by organizations and individuals who are not typically included in governmental or even public/private programs, and operate with more transparency than might be expected in traditional programs. However, building trust and interpersonal relationships may be more important than formal agreements and contracts.”