Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Laurence I. Broun Departmental Emergency Coordinator Office of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Management May 2006

HURRICANE KATRINA “This is the first and foremost lesson learned from the death and devastation caused by our country’s most destructive natural disaster: No matter how prepared we think we are, we must work every day to improve.” Frances Fragos Townsend Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism

Federal Response Homeland Security Council (HSC) directed a comprehensive interagency lessons learned review. HSC forwarded to the President “The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned” report in February, individual recommendations were identified, organized under 17 “critical challenges”. Interagency leadership meets weekly in HSC Policy Coordinating Committees (PCCs) to review remedial actions which must be addressed before 2006 hurricane season. Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Cabinet members have participated in tabletop exercises to review hurricane response plans. The President is briefed weekly on corrective actions.

HSC Critical Challenges National Preparedness Integrated Use of Military Capabilities Communications Logistics and Evacuations Search and Rescue Public Safety and Security Public Health and Medical Support Human Services Mass Care and Housing Public Communications Critical Infrastructure and Impact Assessments Environmental Hazards and Debris Removal Foreign Assistance Non-Governmental Aid Training, Exercises and Lessons Learned Homeland Security Professional Development and Education Citizen and Community Preparedness

DOI Response Department of the Interior deployed more than 6,100 personnel in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Bureau response activities include provision of public safety on Departmental lands, restoration of bureau essential functions, and recovery activities  Bureau of Indian Affairs  Minerals Management Services  National Park Service  Fish and Wildlife Service  U.S. Geological Survey

DOI Support Under the National Response Plan Assistance was provided to State and local jurisdictions under Emergency Support Functions (ESF) of the National Response Plan.  ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering  DOI Lead: Bureau of Reclamation  ESF-4 Firefighting  DOI Lead: Office of Wildland Fire Coordination  ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response  DOI Lead: Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.  ESF-11 Agriculture & Natural Resources  DOI Lead: Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.  ESF-13 Public Safety and Security  DOI Lead: Office of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Management

DOI Lessons Learned Assistant Secretary, Policy, Management and Budget, requested all bureaus and offices submit lessons learned. Emergency Management Council reviewed 119 lessons learned.  Linked DOI lessons learned with HSC Critical Challenges  Identified additional items requiring action at the Departmental level.

DOI/HSC Critical Priorities Emergency Support Function (ESF) Operational Plans. Search and Rescue. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation. Incident Command System (ICS) Training. Planning and Execution.

DOI/HSC Critical Priorities (continued) Regional Preparedness National-level Interagency Coordination Communications Public Safety and Security Remedial Action Management Program

Additional DOI Priorities Personnel Accountability Situation Reporting Interior Incident Management Team Emergency Responder Benefits Departmental Emergency Operations Center

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