Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts to	 
Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters and  
Address Related Recommendations and Legislation (31-JUL-07,	 
GAO-07-1142T).							 
                                                                 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the	 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces the simultaneous	 
challenges of preparing for the season and implementing the	 
reorganization and other provisions of the Post-Katrina Emergency
Management Reform Act of 2006. The Act stipulated major changes  
to FEMA that were intended to enhance its preparedness for and	 
response to catastrophic and major disasters. As GAO has	 
reported, FEMA and DHS face continued challenges, including	 
clearly defining leadership roles and responsibilities, 	 
developing necessary disaster response capabilities, and	 
establishing accountability systems to provide effective services
while protecting against waste, fraud, and abuse. This testimony 
(1) summarizes GAO's findings on these challenges and FEMA's and 
DHS's efforts to address them; and (2) discusses several disaster
management issues for continued congressional attention.	 
-------------------------Indexing Terms------------------------- 
REPORTNUM:   GAO-07-1142T					        
    ACCNO:   A73695						        
  TITLE:     Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts  
to Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters	 
and Address Related Recommendations and Legislation		 
     DATE:   07/31/2007 
  SUBJECT:   Accountability					 
	     Agency evaluation					 
	     Congressional oversight				 
	     Disaster planning					 
	     Disaster recovery plans				 
	     Disaster relief aid				 
	     Emergency management				 
	     Emergency preparedness				 
	     Emergency response 				 
	     Emergency response plans				 
	     Emergency response procedures			 
	     Federal agency reorganization			 
	     Homeland security					 
	     Hurricane Katrina					 
	     Internal controls					 
	     Requirements definition				 
	     Standards						 
	     Strategic planning 				 
	     Policies and procedures				 
	     Program implementation				 
	     Waste, fraud, and abuse				 
	     National Response Plan				 

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GAO-07-1142T

   

     * [1]Summary
     * [2]Background
     * [3]FEMA Is Reviewing Its Responsibilities, Capabilities as It I

          * [4]Leadership Is Critical to Prepare for, Respond to, and Recov
          * [5]Enhanced Capabilities Are Needed to Adequately Prepare for a
          * [6]Balance Needed between Quick Provision of Assistance and Ens

     * [7]Several Disaster Management Issues Should Have Continued Con

          * [8]DHS Has Reorganized Pursuant to the Post-Katrina Reform Act

               * [9]Effective Implementation of the Post-Katrina Reform Act's
                 Pr

          * [10]The National Preparedness System Is Key to Developing Disast
          * [11]The Particular Challenge of Preparing for an Influenza Pande
          * [12]Knowledge of the Effects of State and Local Efforts to Impro
          * [13]Regional and Multistate Planning and Preparation Should Be R
          * [14]Exercises Must Be Carefully Planned and Deployed and Capture
          * [15]DHS Has Provided Limited Transparency for Its Management or

     * [16]Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments
     * [17]GAO's Mission
     * [18]Obtaining Copies of GAO Reports and Testimony

          * [19]Order by Mail or Phone

     * [20]To Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Programs
     * [21]Congressional Relations
     * [22]Public Affairs

Testimony

Before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of
Representatives

*** End of document. ***