Fema

Introduction 2

What is FEMA? 2

Three Major Divisions of FEMA 3

Three Activities of FEMA 5

Impact of Hurricane Katrina 6

1. Economic effects 6

2. Social effects 7

3. Environmental effects 7

Criticisms 8

The Strength of FEMA 11

1. Reduce the redundancies: 11

2. Disaster assistance 11

3. Various programs 12

The Weakness of FEMA 12

1. Vague role definition 12

2. Staffing problems 13

3. Problem with motivation 14

4. Absorption into DHS 14

5. Problematic strategies 16

6. Poor communication 16

7. Public relation 17

The Proposed Change 18

1. Competent leadership 18

2. Conflict management 19

3. Communication 19

4. Structural change 20

5. Monitor employee attitudes 20

6. Continuous improvement 21

Conclusion 22

References 23

Introduction

Hurricane Katrina became the New OrleansЎ¦ biggest nightmare in year 2005. Even though the city was spared the full impact of the hurricane, the cityЎ¦s levees were breached and flooded more than 80 percent of the city. At the end of the day, the total death toll has reached 1,836 as of May 2006, and the experts estimated the total cost of Hurricane Katrina at $81.2 billion or more. It was true that Katrina was a natural disaster; therefore, it was unpredictable and unavoidable. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) saw its approach to Katrina as a success story. However, many of the criticisms were directed toward the ill-prepared FEMA and the lack of coordination in the rescue operation, in which FEMA refuse volunteersЎ¦ help including manpower and food. Some even suggested the abolishment of FEMA for good. The point at issue here is whether FEMA is effective in doing what it is suppose to do. We would identify the strength FEMA possesses, as well