No consensus on FEMA focus: experts disagree on merits of FEMA preparedness function.(Homeland Security)

Security Management, December, 2005 by Roberts, Marta

EVEN BEFORE the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was deluged with criticism for its poor handling of the emergency response effort after Hurricane Katrina, a plan to drastically reorganize the agency had been put forth by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Under that proposal, which is a part of the total restructuring plan for DHS, FEMA would be tasked solely with response and recovery. The preparedness functions would be consolidated under a new undersecretary for preparedness, who would be responsible for facilitating grants and overseeing nationwide preparedness efforts, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure. Both the director of FEMA and the undersecretary would report directly to...

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