Cybersecurity
FEMA's contracting oversight is lax, auditors say
The Federal Emergency Management Agency in trouble over allegations that it failed to comply with a 1972 law in monitoring some contracts, according to a new audit.
Digital Government
Emergency access granted in test of interoperable ID system
An emergency preparedness event involving federal, state and private-sector officials demonstrated ID verification technology to scan and clear first responders from federal, state, local and commercial organizations.
Cybersecurity
FEMA has gaps in disaster IT systems, IG says
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made moderate progress in most key areas since 2008 but still has weak spots in disaster preparedness, according to a new audit.
Modernization
Agencies update Web sites in preparation for Hurricane Earl
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Hurricane center have updated their home pages in preparation for Hurricane Earl.
Digital Government
Five years after Katrina, government IT still feels storm's fury
Five years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, the region continues to rebuild and the federal government is still trying to fix information technology-related problems that the storm and its aftermath exposed.
Modernization
FEMA needs to bridge logistics software gaps: IG
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made progress in logistics, but its Total Asset Visibility logistics information system isn't finished, a new report says.
Modernization
Applying for FEMA aid now a smart phone app away
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that it has set up a new service that allows smart phone users to apply for federal disaster aid.
Cybersecurity
Widgets, Twitter to fuel FEMA emergency alerts
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has created 11 widgets and 13 Twitter feeds as part of its arsenal of social media tools aimed at disaster preparedness and response.
Digital Government
FEMA's planned disaster game needs pain and death
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for ideas for an online 'Disaster Hero' game. John Breeden II, director of Government Computer News' product lab and an avid gamer, says kids and others will learn more if the game isn't sugarcoated.
Digital Government
Seeking disaster relief? Who you gonna call?
FEMA chief architecture talks about DisasterAssistance.gov success stories at GTRA.
Digital Government
FEMA puts disaster info into hands of smart-phone users
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's new mobile Web site offers information on emergency preparedness, response and assistance via smart phone.
Modernization
FEMA goes mobile with disaster info
FEMA has a new Web site to help victims get disaster-related information on their mobile phones.
Cybersecurity
FEMA mismanaged $40M IT system, IG says
FEMA made a mess of developing an IT system to oversee the National Flood Insurance Program, a new report says.
Cybersecurity
FEMA seeks social media contractor
Federal Emergency Management Agency issues a contract request for a media services company that can deliver information from disaster areas via social media and local media news outlets.
Cybersecurity
DHS considers contracts for collecting disaster-related imagery
The Homeland Security Department wants information from industry on collecting images to be used in a system to help with disaster response and recovery.
Modernization
FEMA needs better IT systems to cut risk of double-dipping, auditors say
FEMA pays out billions in disaster aid without the means to guard against double-dipping, according to a new audit.
Modernization
FEMA revamps Spanish language site
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has redesigned a Spanish-language Web site with disaster information and a user-friendly format.
Modernization
FEMA falls short on warning systems, GAO says
A GAO official cited FEMA's lack of progress on its public alert systems for disasters, but a FEMA official defended the agency's pace.
Cybersecurity