Measures to strengthen FEMA announced

US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has announced several new measures designed to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s essential functions so it can more effectively respond to manmade or natural disasters, particularly during catastrophic events.  

The measures include:

Improving FEMA’s Logistics Capabilities
* The Department of Homeland Security will establish a more sophisticated and specialized logistics management system to better track shipments of materials and equipment, manage inventories, and ensure effective distribution and delivery of needed supplies.

* This new system will include a streamlined logistics supply chain to maximize readiness and ensure inventories and networks are in place to deliver supplies and assistance, while also replenishing stocks, in a reasonable amount of time.

Enhancing Customer Service and Intake Procedures
* New upgrades and improved business processing will be applied to FEMA’s customer service system to strengthen its ability to register disaster victims eligible for assistance, protect against fraud and abuse, and adjust to changing needs of disaster populations during significant recovery periods.  

Improving the Debris Removal Process
* Debris removal often stands as a barrier to rebuilding homes, reconstructing infrastructure, and clearing public and private lands due to complicated contracting and reimbursement processes established between governments and communities.  In order to streamline this process and ensure quick reimbursement for services, FEMA will work to establish solid contracting practices to help communities quickly begin recovery operations.

Building More Effective Communications
* DHS will establish a hardened set of communications capabilities to ensure timely and accurate awareness about conditions and events unfolding during a disaster.  These capabilities will be achieved through:

- Interoperable equipment able to function despite loss of power, damage to infrastructure and severe weather;

- Enhanced communication capabilities to provide real-time information that can be used to inform decision making and prioritize resource requirements; and

- Specialized reconnaissance teams made up of DHS personnel and assets from components including the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  These self-sustaining teams will relay vital information back to DHS to coordinate incident management activities and enhance information sharing between government officials and emergency responders.

(Source: DHS)

Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, criticized the FEMA upgrades, saying that, "Secretary Chertoff's proposal is just another example of placing a small band aid on a gaping wound. The Secretary's recommendations do little to address the larger problems caused by separating the preparedness and response functions at the Department of Homeland Security.”

Thompson continued, "The only way to avoid the past failures of FEMA is to address three fundamental problems, which Katrina brought so vividly to light:

* FEMA must be led by a director statutorily required to possess experience in emergency management.

* The organizational structure of the Department of Homeland Security must reflect the vital connection between the FEMA director and the President of the United States - the director must report directly to the president during all incidents of national significance.

* FEMA must operate in accord with the emergency management "cycle" system- requiring the re-unification of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts."

Source: House Committee on Homeland Security - Democratic Office

•Date: 14th Feb 2006• Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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