Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has announced plans designed to strengthen the essential functions of FEMA. In testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, he explained that the changes will enable more effective responses to manmade or natural disasters, particularly during catastrophic events.

Chertoff addressed four specific areas as he announced the new measures:

Improving FEMA’s logistics capabilities. DHS will establish a more sophisticated and specialized logistics management system to better track shipments of materials and equipment, manage inventories, and ensure effective distribution and delivery of needed supplies. This new system will include a streamlined logistics supply chain designed to maximize readiness and ensure inventories and networks are in place to deliver supplies and assistance, while also replenishing stocks, in a reasonable amount of time.

Enhancing customer service and intake procedures. New upgrades and improved business processing will be applied to FEMA’s customer service system to strengthen its ability to register disaster victims eligible for assistance, protect against fraud and abuse, and adjust to changing needs of disaster populations during significant recovery periods. These changes include:

• Upgrading the FEMA Web site and toll-free call-in number to double existing capabilities by handling at least 200,000 disaster registrations per day;
• Adding advanced information technology and computer systems to more easily gather, search and track case-specific information;
• Providing additional training on professionalism and customer service for DHS personnel to ensure timely and accurate information is offered during an emergency;
• Establishing a highly-trained unit of permanent employees &mdash in addition to volunteers &mdash to serve as a core disaster workforce able to take full advantage of DHS assets, resources, and capabilities; and
• Developing a program for deploying mobile disaster assistance trucks to victims in temporary housing or shelters.

Improving the debris-removal process. The complicated contracting and reimbursement processes that currently exist between governments and communities impedes accelerated debris removal. FEMA will work to sreamline this process and establish solid contracting practices to help communities quickly begin recovery operations.

Building more effective communications. DHS will establish a hardened set of communications capabilities to ensure timely and accurate awareness about conditions and events unfolding during a disaster. These capabilities will be achieved through:

• Interoperable equipment able to function despite loss of power, damage to infrastructure and severe weather;
• Enhanced communication capabilities to provide real-time information that can be used to inform decision making and prioritize resource requirements; and
• Specialized reconnaissance teams made up of DHS personnel and assets from components including the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.