New Remedial Action Management Program Launched
Release Date: July 23, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-RAMP
Washington, DC -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the launch of a new program that will identify and remedy operational and programmatic issues encountered in disaster response and recovery operations and exercises. Known as the Remedial Action Management Program (RAMP), it will also capture lessons learned and smart practices that will become part of a Web-based national library accessible to all levels of government.
"In the aftermath of disaster response operations, emergency managers traditionally conduct after-action analyses to identify those procedures that worked well and those that did not," said R. David Paulison, director of FEMA's Preparedness division. "RAMP is designed not only to identify and capture these issues more quickly and effectively, but to ensure that they are addressed and resolved by the appropriate functional program areas."
The RAMP replaces the Disaster Corrective Action Program and involves restructured procedures and new issue-management authorities.
Under the new Remedial Action Management Program:
- Trained facilitators will organize and facilitate sessions on site at Disaster Field Offices or other operational venues. Analyses generate open discussions of operational problems and issues, identify causes, propose solutions, and refer the resulting actions to the appropriate functional areas for resolution. The sessions will also identify lessons learned and smart practices to be shared with the emergency management community at large.
- Issues that are referred to functional areas will be carefully managed through a process that involves formal action tracking and a monthly status report to the Under Secretary.
- Senior organizational leaders have the unique authority to designate issues for 'priority remedial action,' which will require they be addressed and resolved within 120 days of assignment to a functional area.
- A Remedial Action Management Program manual will provide instructions, procedures, processes and checklists for implementing the program.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-Jul-2003 13:25:26