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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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March
2006
Volume
10 - Number 2 |
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On February 13, 2006, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced new goals designed to tackle issues and shortcomings revealed by Hurricane Katrina. Secretary Chertoff spoke to the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) and outlined new plans to fortify the current structure of FEMA as it relates to preparation and response. In his address he outlined areas that will be improved to meet current and future demands as they relate to natural and man-made disasters and the improvement of relationships between Federal, state, local and private sector entities. The four immediate areas tagged for improvement as a direct result of events that took place during and after Katrina are: Logistics, Claims Management, Debris Removal, and Communications. Secretary Chertoff understands that DHS and FEMA are in need of some internal improvements in the area of everyday operations before these agencies can focus on external issues with handling disasters. One internal area mentioned is a need to integrate the incident command at DHS. According to Secretary Chertoff, the current design at DHS lacks a common operating picture and a clear chain of command. Another internal issue focuses on improving operational capabilities with regards, in particular, to technology. The third area mentioned was meeting the needs of the FEMA employee by providing improved tools to support them in their mission. The four areas slated for immediate improvement areas that will strengthen how DHS and FEMA can accomplish their mission. The first, Logistics, was lacking during and after the Katrina hurricane. FEMA was unable to track shipments and manage the inventories of commodities sent to relieve the Gulf Coast. A logistics supply chain will be established by working with agencies like the Department of Transportation who already has an established network of contacts to move items throughout the nation. The second is the Claims Management that handles registration and intake procedures for disaster victims. The current process is overly burdensome and bureaucratic and is unable to meet the heightened demands imposed by a major disaster. An important aspect of this improvement will be the upgrading of FEMA’s outdated information technology and computer systems. The third area is Debris Removal. Even six months after the Katrina disaster there are tons of pounds of debris left to be removed. As Secretary Chertoff points out, debris is one of the bigger hindrances to rebuilding and reconstructing homes and infrastructure. In the future, FEMA will have pre-established contracts with debris removal companies to ensure cost effective removal. The last area is Communications. Hurricane Katrina’s ferocity was exacerbated by the lack of established communications among Federal, state and local partners. Because of this, situational awareness and shared information was near zero during the initial phases of the disaster. The process of establishing reconnaissance teams from other Homeland Security agencies to include the Coast guard and Border Patrol is imperative to improving the communications. Secretary Chertoff hopes to be on the path to improvement by the start of the next hurricane season coming this May. For more information please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5414 |