HSPI | Policy Work | Hot Topics: Emergency Management

Emergency Management

With Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop, and a renewed debate on the bureaucratic placement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Executive Branch, HSPI is contributing to the contemporary discussion of emergency management as a policy issue.

HSPI Publications

Storm Surge
by Frank J. Cilluffo and Sharon L. Cardash
ForeignPolicy.com
October 5, 2009

Reckless Neglect: A Disaster Waiting to Happen...Again?
by Stephen Flynn, Frank J. Cilluffo, and Sharon L. Cardash
HSPI Commentary
August 28, 2009

Also featured on CNN's AC360° Blog

Metro's Crash Reveals Gains in Preparedness
by Daniel J. Kaniewski
The Washington Post
June 28, 2009

Serving America's Disaster Victims: FEMA Where Does it Fit?
Frank J. Cilluffo, Daniel J. Kaniewski, Jan P. Lane, Gregg C. Lord and Laura P. Keith
HSPI Issue Brief
January 13, 2009

Dependence on Non-Profits During Major Disaster Relief: A Risky Dilemma
R. Alan McCurry
HSPI Issue Brief
January 30, 2009

Hey Good Samaritans--Get a Lawyer!
Seth M.M. Stodder
HSPI Issue Brief
January 30, 2009

Not Your Father's FEMA
Daniel J. Kaniewski
The Washington Times
September 10, 2008

Regionalizing Homeland Security: Unifying National Preparedness and Response
HSPI Report
June 30, 2006

HSPI Testimony & Presentations

Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 Implementation: An Examination of FEMA's Preparedness and Response Mission
Statement of Daniel J. Kaniewski
Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response
Video of hearing
March 17, 2009

Public Safety Briefing on the Future of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security hosted by The Congressional Fire Services Institute, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. Daniel Kaniewski discussed as part of an expert panel the need for FEMA to remain a robust, core component of the Department of Homeland Security.
January 27, 2009.

National Emergency Management Association 2008 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. Jan Lane presented preliminary findings and recommendations of the HSPI Presidential Transition Task Force as part of an expert panel on “Academic and Think Tank Perspectives on Administration Transition and Homeland Security Issues” on September 10, 2008.

Bioterrorism and Pandemic Influenza: Are We Prepared?
Statement of Frank J. Cilluffo
Before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
May 23, 2006

The National Guard and Homeland Defense
Statement of Frank J. Cilluffo
Before the U.S. Commission on the National Guard and Reserves
May 4, 2006

Hurricane Katrina: Recommendations for Reform
Statement of Frank J. Cilluffo
Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
March 8, 2006

Combating Terrorism: Options To Improve The Federal Response
Statement of Frank J. Cilluffo
Before U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management and the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations
April 24, 2001

Weapons of Mass Destruction, Terrorism, and U.S. Preparedness
Statement of Frank J. Cilluffo
Before the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice
October 2, 1998

HSPI Events

FEMA: Capabilities, Coordination and Capacity for the Future featuring the Honorable R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency. HSPI Policy & Research Forum event, January 13, 2009.

HSPI In the News

Storm Surge
by Frank J. Cilluffo and Sharon L. Cardash
ForeignPolicy.com
October 5, 2009

A Stronger, More Resilient Future
The Times-Picayune
August 28, 2009

Janet Napolitano's Tough Job at Homeland Security
U.S. News and World Report
July 24, 2009

Metro's Crash Reveals Gains in Preparedness
The Washington Post
June 28, 2009

A Metro Crash Revelation: Progress on Preparedness
The Washington Post
June 25, 2009

Emergency response to Metrorail crash shows post-9/11 gains
The Christian Science Monitor
June 24, 2009

Crash Warning System Probed in D.C.
Fox News Channel
June 23, 2009

Museum Guards Trained for Tragedy
Fox 5
June 10, 2009

Experts Offer Advice for Incoming FEMA Chief
Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security
April 29, 2009

Post-Katrina Reform Act Augments Both FEMA and DHS, Experts Say
Homeland Security Today
March 18, 2009

As Talk of Reorganization Moves Forward, Congress Prepares to Stake Claims Over FEMA
Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security
February 27, 2009

Informed Citizenry Is Indispensable in Responding to Disaster, Says Author
Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security
January 30, 2009

Paulison: Access to President Key to FEMA Prospering Inside DHS
Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security
January 13, 2009

Experts Warn Against Upheaval With FEMA & DHS
National Journal
November 19, 2008

LAPD Chief: No more Brownies in new administration
Associated Press
October 23, 2008

New National Alert System Is Set Back
The Wall Street Journal
October 22, 2008

Response to Hurricane Ike
Fox News
September 14, 2008

Not Your Father's FEMA
The Washington Times
September 10, 2008

FEMA Plays the Anticipation Game
The Wall Street Journal
September 4, 2008

Gustav Response; Learning From Katrina
Bloomberg News
September 2, 2008

FEMA Chief Praised for Cool Head, Preparation as Gustav Approached
The Wall Street Journal
September 2, 2008

Bush focuses on Gustav instead of convention
USA Today
September 1, 2008

Response to Hurricane Gustav
Fox News
September 1, 2008

What Should We Tell The Public?
In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog
August 24, 2008

What Should We Tell The Public?
In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog
July 31, 2008

Homeland Security Funding Cut in 43 Cities, Including D.C.
Fox 5 News
July 24, 2008

New Security Strategy Emphasizes Disaster Preparedness
Washington Post
October 10, 2007

Can Congress Rescue FEMA?
Washington Post
June 26, 2006

White House proposes Katrina fixes
Houston Chronicle
February 24, 2006

Homeland security expert Frank Cilluffo discusses disaster relief
Council on Foreign Relations
September 23, 2005

Poor communications slowed military's hurricane response
National Journal
September 19, 2005

A Crisis Agency In Crisis
US News & World Report
September 19, 2005

HSPI Director comments on Katrina response and National Response Plan
Knight-Ridder Tribune Newspapers
September 13, 2005

Cilluffo discusses federal Katrina response
C-SPAN "Washington Journal"
September 12, 2005

Cilluffo comments on federal disaster response
Dallas Morning News
September 11, 2005

Cilluffo comments on appointment of Admiral Allen to head up Katrina response
Baltimore Sun
September 10, 2005

Improvements Needed in Government Communication
WTOP Radio News
September 6, 2005

HSPI director assesses national preparedness
Fox News "Special Report"
September 5, 2005

HSPI director assesses national preparedness
Reuters
September 2, 2005

Was FEMA ready for a disaster like Katrina?
NBC Nightly News
September 2, 2005

HSPI director addresses FEMA/Katrina
Baltimore Sun
September 2, 2005

A Doomsday Priority
The Washington Times
April 6, 2005

HSPI Experts

Daniel J. Kaniewski, Deputy Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute

Daniel J. Kaniewski is Deputy Director of The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute. Kaniewski re-joined HSPI in August 2008 after spending three years on the White House staff, most recently as Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Senior Director for Response Policy. Soon after joining the White House staff in July 2005, he witnessed first hand the failed response to Hurricane Katrina. He then served as a co-author and editor of the White House report The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned. Following the publication of this report, he worked to improve the nation's response capabilities and advised the President and White House senior staff during domestic incidents (including both man-made and natural disasters). He chaired the Domestic Readiness Group at the White House; managed the Presidential Disaster Declaration process; oversaw the development and approval of the National Response Framework andNational Incident Management System ; and traveled with the President aboard Air Force One to disaster sites around the country. Kaniewski’s current research interests include incident management, emergency management, and the homeland security policymaking process, including the structure and functions of the Homeland Security Council and National Security Council. Following his departure from the White House, his op-ed “Not Your Father’s FEMA” appeared in The Washington Times and Kaniewski was recently profiled in The Chronicle of Higher Education. More