DTI's plans will land on other government departments, especially the Department of Health, local authorities and other official sources.

ECONOMIST: Home care

Homeland officials have expressed concern that the lack of coordination undermined the department's relationship with state and local officials who were left, one official said, "shrugging their shoulders" and wondering what to do.

CNN: Out of sync on warning?

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was briefed, and she ordered her department to provide "whatever assistance is necessary" to state and local authorities, an administration official said.

CNN: Flights banned over Boston Marathon blast site