White House Report – The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned

On February 23, 2006, 8 days after the U.S. House of Representatives released its report on the failed response to Hurricane Katrina, the White House released its own review of the response effort. The report makes 125 recommendations, 11 of which the White House deems “immediate,” and which should be made before June 1, the start of the 2006 hurricane season.

Of particular note:

• Equipment interoperability problems further hindered an integrated response. Similar issues of bifurcated operations and interoperability challenges were also present between the military and civilian leadership. This lack of interoperable communications was apparent at the tactical level, resulting from the fact that emergency responders, National Guard, and active duty military use different equipment.
  
• The Department of Homeland Security should review our current laws, policies, plans, and strategies relevant to communications. Upon the conclusion of this review, the Homeland Security Council, with support from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, should develop a National Emergency Communications Strategy that supports communications operability and interoperability.