FEMA – On the National Security Beat

Preparing for a local disaster

SB Anderson — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 14:03:39 +0000

We just added to our DocumentCloud archive a document of interest to local reporters on preparing for a mass casualty or shooting incident in their area. It’s FEMA’s “Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department Operational Considerations and Guide.”

Download a copy of the PDF.

The Funny Emergency Management Agency?

SB Anderson — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:15:06 +0000

FEMA takes a shot at humor in two new PSA videos as part of National Preparedness Month.

You be the judge.

Words you might not hear often about FEMA

SB Anderson — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:16:56 +0000

How about “effective and efficient.” Or “well-prepared.” And “innovative solutions” along with “quickly resolved.”

Those are pulled directly from a report summary e-mailed today by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector general, which reviewed FEMA’s response to Hurricane Isaac last year in Louisiana and found it to be pretty darned good.

Summary: In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac there was widespread flood damage in low lying areas, impacting 15 parishes. As a result, FEMA recommended and the President declared an emergency in 15 parishes and later declared a major disaster, clearing the way for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes.

WE determined FEMA’s overall response to Hurricane Isaac was effective and efficient. Since FEMA had established facilities and staff in Louisiana, when Hurricane Isaac made landfall, it was well-prepared, faced challenges with innovative solutions, and quickly resolved resource shortfalls.

Here’s the full report (PDF).

Waivers to recoup FEMA disaster money granted by mistake approved in 96% of cases, report shows

SB Anderson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:41:49 +0000

A new $2.6 million program in which FEMA reviews erroneous payments to disaster victims has lead to denial of only $1.6 million in waivers requested because of those mistakes, a new auditor’s report shows.

Waivers were approved in 96% of the cases.

“The waiver of millions of dollars in improper payments and FEMA’s inability to recover even when the recipient is found guilty of fraud shows that FEMA needs changes to its claims, payment, and recovery systems to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted,’ the Project on Government Oversight notes in a story about the audit.

The Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act authorizes the payment reviews and waivers. It was passed in 2011 after major issues involving problems — and attempted recapture of money later — following Hurricane Katrina.

FEMA errors that could lead to waivers include “failure of FEMA personnel to include information in the system, failure of personnel to verify disasterrelated loss or need prior to authorizing payment, or adoption of a new policy in the midst of a disaster,” the inspector general’s report notes.

The Inspector General’s review is ongoing.

“Because the amount of debt that will be waived directly affects the cost-effectiveness of FEMA’s efforts to recoup improper payments, OIG will be analyzing FEMA’s adjudication process to determine if it follows the law, taking into account potential fraud, misrepresentation, or false claims by the debtor, which would preclude obtaining a waiver. Furthermore, OIG will determine whether the FEMA components that are involved in the DARFA process are adequately coordinating their efforts.”

DHS Inspector General’s report (PDF)

How many acronyms would a woodchuck chuck . . .

SB Anderson — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:56:02 +0000

You know you’ve got yourself a doozy of a national security report when there is a three-page appendix that lists the acronyms used in it. All told, 132 of them in the first-ever FEMA National Preparedness report released this month —from AFRCC to WPS.

The report showed the state and local officials surveyed for it most concerned about cybersecurity, housing, natural and cultural resources, and the economy. (Chart below).

The New York Times did a nice wrap on the report findings. You can download the full report here (it’s a 4+MB PDF).