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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2006
CONTACT: Eric Landau
(202) 204-3624
ACADEMY OFFERS ADVICE ON FEDERAL, STATE
AND LOCAL DISASTER RESPONSE
After Hurricane Andrew tore through southern
Florida in 1992, Congress asked the National Academy of Public
Administration to conduct several studies of the Federal government’s
capacity to respond effectively to major natural disasters.
The first report, released in 1993, examined the capabilities
and performance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) during and after Hurricane Andrew. An Academy Panel
and staff interviewed Congressional committees, key White
House staff, then-Secretary of Transportation Andrew Card
and state and local executives in Florida, Louisiana and Hawaii.
The report, Coping with Catastrophe: Building an Emergency
Management System to Meet People’s Needs in Natural
and Manmade Disaster, focused on:
• Executive branch coordination and contingency planning, including leadership by the President
• State and local government capability and coordination with the Federal government
• FEMA’s role, mission, planning, resources and leadership capabilities
• The effectiveness of governmental responses to major disasters prior to the establishment of FEMA
• Lessons applicable to future disasters
• Congressional oversight practices involving disaster assistance
• Governmental coordination with private relief agencies, businesses and citizen initiatives.
A 1994 follow-up report came at the request of FEMA Director James Lee Witt. Review of Actions Taken to Strengthen the Nation’s Emergency Management System assessed the progress made in implementing recommendations to strengthen FEMA and the nation’s emergency management system during his first six months in office. The Academy Panel acted in an advisory capacity for this follow-up report.
To request an interview with an Academy Panel Member involved in these reports, please contact Carrie Sloan, 202-204-3668. Also, to review “Coping with Catastrophe” or the follow-up report, “Review of Actions” please visit: www.napawash.org
The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit corporation chartered by Congress to provide trusted advice to government agencies on issues of governance and public management. Under its Congressional charter, the Academy is charged with advancing the effectiveness of government at all levels—federal, state and local.
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