This paper focuses on the basis for the development of an Integrated Risk Management System (IRMS) for use by federal government emergency management offices in fulfilling their responsibilities to maintain public health and safety. It identifies that a risk-based approach, which integrates the scientific and technical analyses of risk with the public perception of risk, be adopted to develop an IRMS. An integrated approach to risk management can serve as an "umbrella" of safety over operational and management decision-making. Four major underlying premises in developing an Integrated Risk Management System are proposed. One major premise is interpreting scientific/technical analyses, public perceptions, and acceptability of risks. A second major premise is that a risk-based approach will help to identify problems in risk, rank then, establish priorities, and allocate resources based on risk. A third major premise is that risk-based standards will help in developing management strategies for acceptability and allocation of different kinds of risks. A fourth major premise is that risk management tools operationalize risk Management strategies, leading to implementation of the Integrated Risk Management System in a given target domain.