|
FEMA’s lackluster response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was blamed in part on poor coordination of funding, confusion over job roles, and inadequate communication among emergency workers. Five years later, the agency’s internal watchdog says the Federal Emergency Management Agency still has improvements to make.
“Despite the important role of individuals and communities in preparing for a disaster, FEMA faces numerous challenges in measuring the effectiveness of its efforts to enhance individual and community preparedness,” the FEMA inspector general said in a report. Specifically, FEMA should improve coordination at state and local levels, update its information technology systems, hire experienced employees, and obtain funding necessary to meet the costs of disasters as well as training agency staff.
FEMA’s temporary housing plan and disaster response to 15 potential emergencies was also criticized by the inspector general. Retaining senior staff remains a central concern, as FEMA loses many top officials to other federal agencies.
As state and local governments faced budget cuts, there is an increased reliance on FEMA to respond to more emergencies, the report said. “In light of FEMA’s increased involvement in routine disasters, coupled with the recent economic downturn, which has resulted in some state and local governments reducing their emergency management funding, we remain concerned about whether FEMA has sufficient staff focused on planning and preparedness efforts,” it said.
FAST FACT: FEMA spends $4.3 billion a year providing temporary housing, debris removal, building retrofitting, and other services for an average of 70 presidentially-declared emergencies and disasters.
Reprinted by Permission from the Daily Watchdog located at: Center of Public Integrity
Reprinted by Permission © 2012, The Center for Public Integrity®. All Rights Reserved.
