FEMA Adapts to Greater Challenges
Technology to Enhance Agency Preparedness
Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: 1604-425
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI, Miss. -- Current technology and better planning won't stop a hurricane in its tracks, but it will enable the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners to better respond to nature's mightiest storms.
"The monumental consequences of Hurricane Katrina have driven our new ways of doing business," said Mary Lynne Miller, Acting Director, FEMA Region IV. "Mississippians and the rest of the nation will benefit from new technology in delivery systems, communications and business practices."
A cutting-edge Global Position System (GPS) tracking system is in place in the hurricane-prone regions of the South and Southwest. The system will track the shipment of relief supplies in more than 20,000 supply trucks in much the same way that private sector companies track their goods. GPS satellites transmit signals to a receiver on the vehicle giving its location as it moves to staging areas and distribution sites.
The availability of emergency meals and ice has increased four-fold, and more drinking water is ready this year than was stockpiled in staging areas prior to Hurricane Katrina. Today, there also are 770 trucks with Meals Ready-To-Eat (MREs), 1,540 trucks with water, and 2,030 trucks with ice in stock available to respond immediately to a hurricane. The supplies have the capacity to sustain one million people for a period of one week. Before Katrina, 180 trucks with MREs, 600 trucks with water, and 430 trucks with ice were in stock.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) released a new Hurricane Evacuation Guide that includes a detailed map of designated alternate routes. The map is available at local and state offices and welcome centers, and online at www.GoMDOT.com . In addition, the state issued a new emergency number, 1-866-521-MDOT (6368), to be activated only in the event of a natural disaster.
Improvements are being made by FEMA in establishing quicker shelter and assistance for victims. Temporary shelters will be established and mobile registration centers will be used to register victims for more permanent sheltering. Authorization codes are now in place which will strengthen financial assistance for victims against potential fraud and abuse. To avoid reimbursement difficulties, FEMA will now pay the rent associated with such shelters up-front.
FEMA's ability to receive requests for assistance, claims of fraud and abuse and adjustments to the changing needs of disaster populations during significant recovery periods are also being enhanced. FEMA will have the capacity to handle more assistance calls per day and anti-fraud technology has been installed to track disaster claims.
Gasoline supplies and the means to provide it to evacuees and victims were a serious dilemma in the aftermath of Katrina. Two of the nation's oil companies are stockpiling generators in response to a request by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for backup power at gasoline stations in hurricane-prone regions. Exxon Mobil Corp. is storing 100 portable generators, and the company has wired 200 gasoline stations near evacuation routes, hospitals and other emergency-response facilities along the Florida and the Gulf Coast so they can use generators. Chevron Corp also has stowed 100 generators and wired 52 Chevron and Texaco stations in the region.
Local, state, and federal emergency management leadership will be located in FEMA's Joint Field Offices to improve lines of communication and increase the level of coordination. The Department of Defense will also place their resources at sites closer to anticipated hurricane landfall.
After a major storm, FEMA will expedite the pace of debris removal to assist in local recovery efforts. Katrina left over 44 million cubic yards of debris in its wake in Mississippi . In order to streamline the debris removal process and ensure quick reimbursement for services, FEMA is establishing solid contracting practices to help communities quickly begin recovery operations. When it makes economic sense, local construction companies will be allowed to more fully participate in debris removal. FEMA has developed a new web-based registry of debris removal contractors, www.fema.gov/business/contractor.shtm , to assist in preparedness planning by state and local emergency managers. The Debris Contractor Registry is an element of the U.S. Public Private Partnership which is administered through DHS.
State and local governments have the lead in a disaster situation as first responders for their communities. The federal government acts in a supporting role providing assistance, logistical support and certain supplies. FEMA maintains a strong relationship with Mississippi and the local governments in areas most frequently affected by natural disasters and is committed to being on site until full recovery is achieved.
The first line of defense against a storm is the preparedness of individuals, families, and businesses who should prepare emergency supply kits with food, water, battery operated radios and medicines. Families should also make emergency plans that include how and where they would evacuate, shelter-in-place and communicate with one another. For more information on preparing for emergencies, please visit www.ready.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 18-Aug-2006 14:20:30