Category: Reports

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – DHS is Addressing Security at Chemical Facilities, but Additional Authority is Needed

DHS is developing a Chemical Sector-Specific Plan, which is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2006. In addition, DHS has taken a number of other actions to protect […]

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Aviation Security: Further Study of Safety and Effectiveness and Better Management Controls Needed If Air Carriers Resume Interest in Deploying Less-than-Lethal Weapons

GAO is recommending that, should air carrier interest in deploying these devices resume, TSA should ensure that there is reliable research supporting their use in an aircraft environment. http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06475high.pdf

GAO – Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Coordination between FEMA and the American Red Cross Should Be Improved for the 2006 Hurricane Season

FEMA and the American Red Cross working together for the first time as co-primary agencies for ESF-6 under the National Response Plan-disagreed about their roles & responsibilities.

Government Accountability Office (GAO): U.S. Tsunami Preparedness

This report lists coastal areas facing the greatest tsunami hazard, the effectiveness of the existing federal tsunami warning system, & efforts to mitigate the potential impacts, assesses NOAA’s efforts to […]

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Observations on Efforts to Implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the U.S. Border with Canada

DHS and the State Department are within 20 months of the January 2008 deadline for implementing the Travel Initiative, and while the agencies have taken initial steps to carry out […]

London Assembly Report of the 7 July Review Committee

“One achievement of the Review is to add an outward focus to emergency planning – to underscore the fact that responders are dealing with individuals not an ‘incident,’ and that […]

GAO(Government Accountability Office) – Federal Emergency Management Agency, Factors for Success and Issues to Consider in Organizational Placement

GAO believes that “future success is likely to principally depend upon focus, skilled leadership, clear roles and responsibilities, operational plans realistically exercised, and key resources appropriately and effectively deployed.” http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06746thigh.pdf

Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations

“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is pleased to present this manual, which will be very useful for authorities and those responsible for disaster prevention and response.” Mirta Roses Periago, […]

President Bush Announces the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan

“[The] … Federal Government has begun strengthening our ability to safeguard the American people in the event of a devastating global pandemic and helping to prepare the Nation’s public health […]

GAO (Government Accountability Office): Department of Defense (DOD) Needs Consistent Policies and Clear Processes to Address the Survivability of Weapon Systems Against Chemical and Biological Threats

GAO is recommending modifications to DOD’s current weapon system acquisition policy to ensure that weapon system chemical and biological survivability is consistently addressed. http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d06592high.pdf