Systems to Support Response and Recovery Operations Need Improvement 

Federal regulations require agency CIOs to promote the effective and efficient 

design and operation of major information resources management processes.  

They must develop, maintain, and facilitate the implementation of integrated 

IT architectures to meet agency missions. The EP&R systems environment, 

however, is not integrated and does not support effective information 

exchange.  Consequently, during disasters, the systems are not able to handle 

increased workloads effectively, are not adaptable to change, and lack needed 

capabilities.  The reactive nature of EP&R's disaster response encourages 

short term systems fixes rather than long term IT solutions.  Taking the time 

to define and document systems requirements fully and evaluate viable 

alternatives to its complex, custom designed systems, will enable EP&R to 

support its response and recovery operations and meet its mission needs 

better. 

Unintegrated IT Environment 

EP&R is working to complete an enterprise architecture to govern its IT 

environment.  Currently, however, its systems are unintegrated and do not 

effectively share information.  IT officials agree that it is essential to integrate 

systems to support mission requirements better, but that decision must be 

made in collaboration with the systems owners and program officials.  

Linking the systems to state emergency management systems that rely upon 

FEMA information to carry out state disaster management responsibilities 

would also be beneficial. 

FEMA Enterprise Architecture Development is Ongoing 

The 

Clinger Cohen Act of 1996

16

 requires the CIO to develop, maintain, and 

facilitate the implementation of a sound, enterprisewide IT architecture

.

  An 

enterprise architecture provides a blueprint of the hardware, software, and 

related policies needed to achieve defined business objectives.  Such an 

architecture serves as the agency's road map to future systems development, 

network updates or changes, and implementation of key federal requirements.  

In 2001, FEMA developed an enterprise architecture document to serve as a 

guide to creating and implementing e government initiatives.  This road map 

has served FEMA well, documenting both major successes and key initiatives.  

For example, a few such initiatives were identified in the 2001 enterprise 

architecture and are still operational today.  These initiatives include: 

16

 Public Law 104 106 

Emergency Preparedness and Response Could Better Integrate Information Technology  

with Incident Response and Recovery 

Page 19