DHS' Progress in Federal Incident Management Planning (Redacted)

This report addresses the Department of Homeland Security¿s (DHS) efforts to develop incident management plans associated with the 15 National Planning Scenarios. It is based on interviews with employees and officials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents. Contents: (1) Background; (2) Results of Audit; Status of Federal Incident Management Planning; Recommendation; Management Comments and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Analysis; Projecting the Completion of Plans; Recommendation; Management Comments and OIG Analysis; The Federal Incident Management Plan Repository; Recommendation; Management Comments and OIG Analysis; (3) Appendices. Illustrations.

Among the lessons learned from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was that effective disaster response requires planning followed by the execution of training and exercises to validate those plans. FEMA is responsible for disaster response planning. This testimony focuses on: (1) criteria for effective disaster response planning established in FEMA¿s National Response Framework; (2) additional guidance for disaster planning; (3) the status of disaster planning efforts; and (4) special circumstances in planning for oil spills. The auditor reviewed the policies and plans that form the basis of the preparedness system. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find report.