Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are the focus of an ongoing study by the General Accountability Office (GAO). Comptroller General David M. Walker released a preliminary statement to Congress identifying several shortcomings already evident from their ongoing study. His statement indicates that many of the shortcomings were previously identified in studies of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. In his statement, he reported that three key themes are emerging from their ongoing study.
Quoting from the statement in GAO-06-365R:
Clear and Decisive Leadership
"First, prior to a catastrophic event, the leadership roles, responsibilities, and lines of authority for the response at all levels must be clearly defined and effectively communicated in order to facilitate rapid and effective decision making, especially in preparing for and in the early hours and days after the event. As we recommended in 1993, we continue to believe that a single individual directly responsible and accountable to the President must be designated to act as the central focal point to lead and coordinate the overall federal response in the event of a major catastrophe. This person would work on behalf of the President to ensure that federal agencies treat the catastrophe as a top priority and that the federal government’s response is both timely and effective. In cases where there is warning, such as the high probability of a major hurricane (e.g., a category 4 or 5), the senior official should be designated prior to the event, be deployed appropriately, and be ready to step forward as events unfold."
Strong Advance Planning, Training and Exercise Programs
"Second, to best position the nation to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, there must be strong advance planning, both within and among responder organizations, as well as robust training and exercise programs to test these plans in advance of a real disaster. Although the NRP framework envisions a proactive national response in the event of a catastrophe, the nation does not yet have the types of detailed plans needed to better delineate capabilities that might be required and how such assistance will be provided and coordinated. In addition, we observed that the training and exercises necessary to carry out these plans were not always developed or completed among the first responder community. The leadership to ensure these plans and exercises are in place must come from DHS in conjunction with other federal agencies, state and local authorities, and involved nongovernmental organizations."
Capabilities for a Catastrophic Event
"Response and recovery capabilities needed during a major catastrophic event differ significantly from those required to respond to and recover from a “normal disaster.” Key capabilities such as emergency communications, continuity of essential government services, and logistics and distribution systems underpin citizen safety and security. In addition, as these capabilities are brought to bear, streamlining, simplifying, and expediting decision making must quickly replace “business as usual” approaches to doing business."
The report goes on to outline areas in which the GAO has assessed as deficient the governmental response in these key areas.
GAO-06-365R "Preliminary Observations on Hurricane Response." (PDF) (Feb. 1, 2006)
Posted by dougsimpson at February 2, 2006 09:31 AM