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Catastrophic Disaster and Emergency Planning: Revitalizing FEMA after Hurricane Katrina

Catastrophic Disaster and Emergency Planning: Revitalizing FEMA after Hurricane Katrina. R. Steven Daniels, California State University, Bakersfield. Hurricane Katrina Reports. White House, The Federal Response to Katrina: Lessons Learned. U.S. House: A Failure of Initiative.

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Catastrophic Disaster and Emergency Planning: Revitalizing FEMA after Hurricane Katrina

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  1. Catastrophic Disaster and Emergency Planning: Revitalizing FEMA after Hurricane Katrina R. Steven Daniels, California State University, Bakersfield

  2. Hurricane Katrina Reports • White House, The Federal Response to Katrina: Lessons Learned. • U.S. House: A Failure of Initiative. • U.S. Senate: Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared.

  3. Hurricane Katrina Reports • U.S. Government Accountability Office, Catastrophic Disasters: Enhanced Leadership, Capabilities, and Accountability Controls Will Improve the Effectiveness of the Nation’s Preparedness, Response and Recovery System. • Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal [Mississippi], After Katrina: Building Back Better than Ever.

  4. Common Themes • Accurate weather forecasts saved lives. • All levels of government understood the potential consequences of a large-scale hurricane on the Gulf Coast. • All levels of government were unprepared. • State and local infrastructure was inadequate.

  5. Common Themes • Response plans at all levels were inadequate. • All levels failed to execute existing plans. • Massive communication failures undermined coordination. • Lack of training, communication, and situational awareness undermined command and control. • Military assistance was invaluable, but uncoordinated.

  6. Survey Design: Topic • Catastrophic disaster: • An event having unprecedented levels of damage, casualties, dislocation, and disruption that would have nationwide consequences and jeopardize national security.

  7. Survey Design: Sample • Frame: IAEM and NEMA members (3,654). • Sample: 111 (3%). • 100% of FEMA regions, 65% of states and territories, 3% of counties, 26% of U.S. population.

  8. Survey Design: Four Themes • Catastrophic disasters. • Local and state emergency plans. • Causes of Katrina failures. • Recommendations for improving FEMA.

  9. Catastrophic Disasters

  10. Catastrophic Disasters

  11. State and Local Emergency Plans

  12. Effectiveness of Katrina Response

  13. Effectiveness of Katrina Response

  14. Revitalization of FEMA

  15. Revitalization of FEMA

  16. Survey Recommendations • Focus on most likely disasters. • Recognize regional variations. • EOPs with adequate resources for catastrophes and mass evacuation plans. • Evaluate EOCs for vulnerability to catastrophe.

  17. Survey Recommendations • Foster comprehensive vulnerability management. • Cultivate political support. • Improve planning, communication, coordination, and execution. • Restructure FEMA and hire the best.

  18. Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 • Restructured and strengthened FEMA. • Refocused FEMA on CEM. • Strengthened regional administrators and operations. • Created advisory councils. • Changed Stafford Act to ensure greater flexibility.

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