Reports call for improvements to DHS response plans

The Government Accountability Office on Wednesday released reports that reviewed emergency response planning and staffing at the Homeland Security Department and called for improvements in both areas.

One of the reports (GAO-06-618) called for greater cooperation among all levels of government when the next disaster strikes, more thorough testing of operational strategies, and improved and continuous communication from federal entities down.

"Leadership in the form of legal authorities, roles and responsibilities, and lines of authority at all levels of government must be clearly defined, effectively communicated, and well understood in order to facilitate rapid and effective decision-making," the report noted.

Comptroller General David M. Walker in a Wednesday event unveiling the reports criticized DHS' National Response Plan for handling disasters. He said the guidelines used in the response to Hurricane Katrina were geared more toward a terrorist attack than a natural disaster and left states and local entities ill-prepared to meet their responsibilities. That plan has since been updated, but the changes remain untested, according to GAO's report.

Walker also criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency for leaving "hundreds of positions" vacant, despite Director R. David Paulison's pledge in May to fill most of the openings before this year's hurricane season began in June. FEMA has since backed away from its hiring goals altogether.

"They need to start filling these positions," Walker told reporters.

A second report (GAO-06-834) published Wednesday called for better disclosure of federal expenditures from Katrina. "FEMA does not have a mechanism to report on the financial activity of the agencies performing work on its behalf," the report stated.

That report also recommended that the Office of Management and Budget improve the transparency surrounding hurricane-related funds. GAO reported that $88 billion has been appropriated to 23 different agencies for recovery efforts, but there is no centralized database with information on how those funds have been spent.

The third report (GAO-06-934) released by GAO advised the Army Corps of Engineers to quickly repair levees damaged by the hurricane and better coordinate disjointed projects on nearly 169 miles of damaged levees and floodwalls.

GAO did praise some aspects of the federal response to Katrina. Walker lauded the Coast Guard for the work it did following the hurricane's sweep through New Orleans, saying, "They had clear contingency plans in place."

Walker also praised FEMA for setting up a contingency reserve of part-time workers -- called cadre-on-response employees. He said the move was a step in the right direction for the agency, though he continued to reiterate FEMA's need to fill its open positions.

FEMA officials declined to comment on the reports, and said they had not seen advance copies. "As with all other reports released by the GAO, FEMA is closely reviewing this report and will use portions as a guideline on how to better serve state and local governments, as well as the American people," said FEMA spokesman Aaron Walker.