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GAO Homeland Security Reports - Subcategories

September 11
Dept. of Homeland Security
Disaster Preparedness / Response
Combating Terrorism
Building Security
Nuclear/Chemical/Biological Terrorism
Aviation Security
Maritime Security
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Border Control
Coast Guard
Drug Control
Financial/Counterfeiting
Information Security
Information Technology
Flu Pandemic

Disaster Preparedness / Response

• Homeland Defense and Weapons of Mass Destruction: Additional Steps Could Enhance the Effectiveness of the National Guard's Life-Saving Response Forces, GAO-12-114, December 7, 2011
• National Capital Region: 2010 Strategic Plan is Generally Consistent with Characteristics of Effective Strategies, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittees on Disaster Recovery and Intergovernmental Affairs and Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia; Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Oversight Committee, GAO-12-276T, December 7, 2011
• National Preparedness: Improvements Needed for Acquiring Medical Countermeasures to Threats from Terrorism and Other Sources GAO-12-121, October 26, 2011
• Disaster Recovery: Federal Contracting in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, by William T. Woods, acquisition and sourcing management before the Senate Committee On Small Business and Entrepreneurship. GAO-11-942T, September 15, 2011
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Temporary Emergency Impact Aid Provided Education Support for Displaced Students. GAO-11-839, September 7, 2011
• FEMA and the Corps Have Taken Steps to Establish a Task Force, but FEMA Has Not Assessed the Costs of Collecting and Reporting All Levee-Related Concerns, GAO-11-689R, Jul 29, 2011
• Emergency Preparedness: Agencies Need Coordinated Guidance on Incorporating Telework into Emergency and Continuity Planning, GAO-11-628, Jul 22, 2011
• FEMA: Action Needed to Improve Administration of the National Flood Insurance Program, GAO-11-297, Jun 9, 2011
• Catastrophic Planning: States Participating in FEMA's Pilot Program Made Progress, but Better Guidance Could Enhance Future Pilot Programs, GAO-11-383, Apr 8, 2011
• Measuring Disaster Preparedness: FEMA Has Made Limited Progress in Assessing National Capabilities, GAO-11-260T, Mar 17, 2011
• FEMA Flood Maps: Some Standards and Processes in Place to Promote Map Accuracy and Outreach, but Opportunities Exist to Address Implementation Challenges, GAO-11-17, Dec 2, 2010
• Recovery Act: FEMA Could Take Steps to Protect Sensitive Port Security Grant Details and Improve Recipient Reporting Instructions, GAO-11-88, Oct 15, 2010
• FEMA Has Made Limited Progress in Efforts to Develop and Implement a System to Assess National Preparedness Capabilities, GAO-11-51R, Oct 29, 2010
• Disaster Response: Criteria for Developing and Validating Effective Response Plans, GAO-10-969T, Sep 22, 2010
• Hurricane Recovery: Federal Government Provided a Range of Assistance to Nonprofits following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, GAO-10-800, Jul 30, 2010
• Hurricane Katrina: CMS and HRSA Assistance to Sustain Primary Care Gains in the Greater New Orleans Area, GAO-10-773R, Jun 30, 2010
• Homeland Defense: DOD Can Enhance Efforts to Identify Capabilities to Support Civil Authorities during Disasters, GAO-10-386, Mar 30, 2010
• Homeland Defense: DOD Needs to Take Actions to Enhance Interagency Coordination for Its Homeland Defense and Civil Support Missions, GAO-10-364, Mar 30, 2010
• Disaster Recovery: FEMA's Long-term Assistance Was Helpful to State and Local Governments but Had Some Limitations, GAO-10-404, Mar 30, 2010
• Emergency Preparedness: FEMA Faces Challenges Integrating Community Preparedness Programs into Its Strategic Approach, GAO-10-193, Jan 29, 2010
• Disaster Assistance: Federal Assistance for Permanent Housing Primarily Benefited Homeowners; Opportunities Exist to Better Target Rental Housing Needs, GAO-10-17, Jan 14, 2010
• Emergency Preparedness: State Efforts to Plan for Medical Surge Could Benefit from Shared Guidance for Allocating Scarce Medical Resources, GAO-10-381T, Jan 25, 2010
• Hurricane Katrina: Federal Grants Have Helped Health Care Organizations Provide Primary Care, but Sustaining Services Will Be a Challenge, GAO-10-273T, Dec 3, 2009
• Disaster Housing: FEMA Needs More Detailed Guidance and Performance Measures to Help Ensure Effective Assistance after Major Disasters, GAO-09-796, Aug 28, 2009
• Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary for Development of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, GAO-09-1044T, Sep 30, 2009
• Homeland Defense: U.S. Northern Command Has a Strong Exercise Program, but Involvement of Interagency Partners and States Can Be Improved, GAO-09-849, Sep 9, 2009
• Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary for Modernization and Integration of Public Alert and Warning System, GAO-09-834, Sep 9, 2009
• Emergency Communications: National Communications System Provides Programs for Priority Calling, but Planning for New Initiatives and Performance Measurement Could be Strengthened, GAO-09-822, Aug 28, 2009
• Disaster Recovery: Experiences from Past Disasters Offer Insights for Effective Collaboration after Catastrophic Events, GAO-09-811, Jul 31, 2009
• Hurricane Katrina: Barriers to Mental Health Services for Children Persist in Greater New Orleans, Although Federal Grants Are Helping to Address Them, GAO-09-935T, Aug 4, 2009
• Emergency Communications: Vulnerabilities Remain and Limited Collaboration and Monitoring Hamper Federal Efforts, GAO-09-604, Jun 26, 2009
• Gulf Coast Disaster Recovery: Community Development Block Grant Program Guidance to States Needs to Be Improved, GAO-09-541, Jun 19, 2009
• Hurricane Katrina: Barriers to Mental Health Services for Children Persist in Greater New Orleans, Although Federal Grants Are Helping to Address Them, GAO-09-563, Jul 13, 2009
• Hurricane Katrina: Federal Grants Have Helped Health Care Organizations Provide Primary Care, but Challenges Remain, GAO-09-588, Jul 13, 2009
• Disaster Assistance: Greater Coordination and an Evaluation of Programs' Outcomes Could Improve Disaster Case Management, GAO-09-561, Jul 8, 2009
• Urban Area Security Initiative: FEMA Lacks Measures to Assess How Regional Collaboration Efforts Build Preparedness Capabilities, GAO-09-651, Jul 2, 2009
• Hurricanes Gustav and Ike Disaster Assistance: FEMA Strengthened Its Fraud Prevention Controls, but Customer Service Needs Improvement, GAO-09-671, Jun 19, 2009
• National Preparedness: FEMA Has Made Progress, but Needs to Complete and Integrate Planning, Exercise, and Assessment Efforts, GAO-09-369, Apr 30, 2009
• Emergency Management: Actions to Implement Select Provisions of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, GAO-09-433T, Mar 17, 2009
• Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Perspectives and Observations, GAO-09-411R, Apr 10, 2009
• Disaster Recovery: Past Experiences Offer Recovery Lessons for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and Future Disasters, GAO-09-437T, Mar 3, 2009
• Disaster Recovery: FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program Experienced Challenges with Gulf Coast Rebuilding, GAO-09-129, Dec 18, 2008
• Disaster Assistance: Federal Efforts to Assist Group Site Residents with Employment, Services for Families with Children, and Transportation, GAO-09-81, Dec 11, 2008
• Radio Communications: Congressional Action Needed to Ensure Agencies Collaborate to Develop a Joint Solution, GAO-09-133, Dec 12, 2008
• Actions Taken to Implement the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, GAO-09-59R, Nov 21, 2008
• Disaster Recovery: Past Experiences Offer Insights for Recovering from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and Other Recent Natural Disasters, GAO-08-1120, Sep 26, 2008
• Mass Care in Disasters: FEMA Should Update the Red Cross Role in Catastrophic Events and More Fully Assess Voluntary Organizations' Mass Care Capabilities, GAO-08-1175T, Sep 23, 2008
• Voluntary Organizations: FEMA Should More Fully Assess Organization's Mass Care Capabilities and Update the Red Cross Role in Catastrophic Events, GAO-08-823, Sep 18, 2008
• Hurricane Katrina: Continuing Debris Removal and Disposal Issues, GAO-08-985R, Aug 25, 2008
• Hurricane Katrina: Trends in the Operating Results of Five Hospitals in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina, GAO-08-681R, Jul 17, 2008
• Emergency Preparedness: States Are Planning for Medical Surge, but Could Benefit from Shared Guidance for Allocating Scarce Medical Resources, GAO-08-668, Jun 13, 2008
• Homeland Security: First Responders' Ability to Detect and Model Hazardous Releases in Urban Areas Is Significantly Limited, GAO-08-180, Jun 27, 2008
• Emergency Management: Observations on DHS's Preparedness for Catastrophic Disasters, GAO-08-868T, Jun 11, 2008
• National Response Framework: FEMA Needs Policies and Procedures to Better Integrate Non-Federal Stakeholders in the Revision Process, GAO-08-768, Jun 11, 2008
• Chemical Assessments: EPA's New Assessment Process Will Further Limit the Productivity and Credibility of Its Integrated Risk Information System GAO-08-810T May 21, 2008
• Toxic Chemicals: EPA's New Assessment Process Will Increase Challenges EPA Faces in Evaluating and Regulating Chemicals GAO-08-743T April 29, 2008
• Natural Catastrophe Insurance: Analysis of a Proposed Combined Federal Flood and Wind Insurance Program GAO-08-504 April 25,2008
• Homeland Security: Enhanced National Guard Readiness for Civil Support Missions May Depend on DOD's Implementation of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, GAO-08-311, Apr 16, 2008
• Homeland Defense: Steps Have Been Taken to Improve U.S. Northern Command's Coordination with States and the National Guard Bureau, but Gaps Remain, GAO-08-252, Apr 16, 2008
• Homeland Defense: U.S. Northern Command Has Made Progress but Needs to Address Force Allocation, Readiness Tracking Gaps, and Other Issues, GAO-08-251, Apr 16, 2008
• Federal Compensation Programs: Perspectives on Four Programs for Individuals Injured by Exposure to Harmful Substances GAO-08-628T April 1, 2008
• Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA's Integrated Risk Information System GAO-08-440 March 7, 2008
• Catastrophic Disasters: Federal Efforts Help States Prepare for and Respond to Psychological Consequences, but FEMA's Crisis Counseling Program Needs Improvements GAO-08-22 February 29,2008
• National Disaster Response: FEMA Should Take Action to Improve Capacity and Coordination between Government and Voluntary Sectors GAO-08-369 February 27,2008
• Disaster Cost Estimates: FEMA Can Improve Its Learning from Past Experience and Management of Disaster-Related Resources GAO-08-301 February 22,2008
• Wildland Fire Management: Federal Agencies Lack Key Long- and Short-Term Management Strategies for Using Program Funds Effectively GAO-08-433T February 12, 2008
• Army Corps of Engineers: Known Performance Issues with New Orleans Drainage Canal Pumps Have Been Addressed, but Guidance on Future Contracts Is Needed GAO-08-288 December 31, 2007
• National Flood Insurance Program: Greater Transparency and Oversight of Wind and Flood Damage Determinations Are Needed GAO-08-28 December 28,2007
• Toxic Chemical Releases: EPA Actions Could Reduce Environmental Information Available to Many Communities GAO-08-128 November 30, 2007 [5.0 Mb]
• Natural Disasters: Public Policy Options for Changing the Federal Role in Natural Catastrophe Insurance GAO-08-7 November 26,2007
• Hurricane Katrina: Ineffective FEMA Oversight of Housing Maintenance Contracts in Mississippi Resulted in Millions of Dollars of Waste and Potential Fraud GAO-08-106 November 16,2007
• Hazardous Materials: EPA May Need to Reassess Sites Receiving Asbestos-Contaminated Ore from Libby, Montana, and Should Improve Its Public Notification Process GAO-08-71 October 12, 2007 [4.1 Mb]
• Environmental Right-To-Know: EPA's Recent Rule Could Reduce Availability of Toxic Chemical Information Used to Assess Environmental Justice GAO-08-115T October 4, 2007
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Ongoing Challenges Facing the National Flood Insurance Program GAO-08-118T October 2,2007
• Wildland Fire Management: Better Information and a Systematic Process Could Improve Agencies' Approach to Allocating Fuel Reduction Funds and Selecting Projects GAO-07-1168 September 28, 2007 [4.8 Mb]
• National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA's Management and Oversight of Payments for Insurance Company Services Should Be Improved GAO-07-1078 September 5, 2007
• Disaster Housing: Implementation of FEMA's Alternative Housing Pilot Program Provides Lessons for Improving Future Competitions GAO-07-1143R August 31,2007
• Natural Hazard Mitigation: Various Mitigation Efforts Exist, but Federal Efforts Do Not Provide a Comprehensive Strategic Framework GAO-07-403 August 22, 2007 [3.1 Mb]
• Chemical Regulation: Comparison of U.S. and Recently Enacted European Union Approaches to Protect against the Risks of Toxic Chemicals GAO-07-825 August 17, 2007
• Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Observations on Federal Financial Implications GAO-07-1079T August 2,2007
• Homeland Security: Observations on DHS and FEMA Efforts to Prepare for and Respond to Major and Catastrophic Disasters and Address Related Recommendations and Legislation GAO-07-1142T July 31, 2007
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact: Enhancing EMAC's Collaborative and Administrative Capacity Should Improve National Disaster Response GAO-07-854 June 29,2007 [8.3 Mb]
• Preliminary Information on Rebuilding Efforts in the Gulf Coast GAO-07-809R June 29, 2007
• Wildland Fire: Management Improvements Could Enhance Federal Agencies' Efforts to Contain the Costs of Fighting Fires GAO-07-922T June 26, 2007
• Energy Efficiency: Important Challenges Must Be Overcome to Realize Significant Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Improvements in Gulf Coast Reconstruction GAO-07-654 June 26,2007
• Hurricane Katrina: EPA's Current and Future Environmental Protection Efforts Could Be Enhanced by Addressing Issues and Challenges Faced on the Gulf Coast GAO-07-651 June 25, 2007
• Wildland Fire Management: A Cohesive Strategy and Clear Cost-Containment Goals Are Needed for Federal Agencies to Manage Wildland Fire Activities Effectively GAO-07-1017T June 19,2007
• National Flood Insurance Program: Preliminary Views on FEMA's Ability to Ensure Accurate Payments on Hurricane-Damaged Properties GAO-07-991T June 12,2007
• Emergency Management: Most School Districts Have Developed Emergency Management Plans, but Would Benefit from Additional Federal Guidance GAO-07-609 June 12, 2007
• Wildland Fire Management: Lack of Clear Goals or a Strategy Hinders Federal Agencies' Efforts to Contain the Costs of Fighting Fires GAO-07-655 June 1, 2007
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Procurement of Pumping Systems for the New Orleans Drainage Canals GAO-07-908R, May 23, 2007
• Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Preliminary Observations on Progress to Date and Challenges for the Future GAO-07-574T, April 12, 2007
• First Responders: Much Work Remains to Improve Communications Interoperability GAO-07-301, April 2, 2007
• Emergency Preparedness: Current Emergency Alert System Has Limitations, and Development of a New Integrated System Will Be Challenging GAO-07-411, March 30, 2007
• Port Risk Management: Additional Federal Guidance Would Aid Ports in Disaster Planning and Recovery GAO-07-412, March 28, 2007 [PDF 1.87MB]
• Homeland Security: Preparing for and Responding to Disasters GAO-07-395T, March 9, 2007
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Federal Actions Could Enhance Preparedness of Certain State-Administered Federal Support Programs GAO-07-219, February 7, 2007 [PDF 4.37MB]
• Homeland Security First Responder Grants: Cash Management Improvement Act Exemption and Cash Advance Funding Require Additional DHS Oversight GAO-07-68, December 22, 2006
• Hurricane Katrina: Strategic Planning Needed to Guide Future Enhancements Beyond Interim Levee Repairs GAO-06-934, September 6, 2006
• Catastrophic Disasters: Enhanced Leadership, Capabilities, and Accountability Controls Will Improve the Effectiveness of the Nation's Preparedness, Response, and Recovery System GAO-06-618, September 6, 2006 [PDF 2.66MB]
• Coast Guard: Observations on the Preparation, Response, and Recovery Missions Related to Hurricane Katrina GAO-06-903, July 31, 2006 [PDF 2.27MB]
• Disaster Preparedness: Limitations in Federal Evacuation Assistance for Health Facilities Should be Addressed GAO-06-826, July 20, 2006
• Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Coordination between FEMA and the Red Cross Should Be Improved for the 2006 Hurricane Season GAO-06-712, June 8, 2006
• U.S. Tsunami Preparedness: Federal and State Partners Collaborate to Help Communities Reduce Potential Impacts, but Significant Challenges Remain GAO-06-519, June 5, 2006 [PDF 1.90MB]
• Hurricane Katrina: Better Plans and Exercises Need to Guide the Military's Response to Catastrophic Natural Disasters, GAO-06-808T, May 25, 2006
• Disaster Preparedness: Preliminary Observations on the Evacuation of Vulnerable Populations due to Hurricanes and Other Diasasters, GAO-06-790T, May 18, 2006
• Hurricane Katrina: Better Plans and Exercises Needed to Guide the Military's Response to Catastrophic Natural Disasters, GAO-06-643, May 15, 2006
• Hurricane Katrina: Policies and Procedures Are Needed to Ensure Appropriate Use of and Accountability for International Assistance, GAO-06-600T, April 6, 2006
• Hurricane Katrina: Comprehensive Policies and Procedures Are Needed to Ensure Appropriate Use of and Accountability for International Assistance, GAO-06-460, April 6, 2006
• Homeland Security: Managing First Responder Grants to Enhance Emergency Preparedness in the National Capital Region, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-05-889T, July 14, 2005.
• Homeland Security: DHS' Efforts to Enhance First Responders' All-Hazards Capabilities Continue to Evolve. GAO-05-652, July 11, 2005. [PDF 1.5MB]
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Crisis Counseling Grants Awarded to the State of New York after the September 11 Terrorist Attacks. GAO-05-514, May 31, 2005.
• Continuity of Operations: Agency Plans Have Improved, but Better Oversight Could Assist Agencies in Preparing for Emergencies, by Linda D. Koontz, director, information management issues, before the House Committee on Government Reform. GAO-05-619T, April 28, 2005.
• Continuity of Operations: Agency Plans Have Improved, but Better Oversight Could Assist Agencies in Preparing for Emergencies. GAO-05-577, April 28, 2005.
• Homeland Security: Effective Regional Coordination Can Enhance Emergency Preparedness. GAO-04-1009, September 15, 2004.
• Homeland Security: Federal Leadership Needed to Facilitate Interoperable Communications Between First RespondersGAO-04-1057T, September 8, 2004.
• Homeland Security: Federal Leadership and Intergovernmental Cooperation Required to Achieve First Responder Interoperable Communications. GAO-04-740, July 20, 2004.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Lack of Controls and Key Information for Property Leaves Assets Vulnerable to Loss or Misappropriation. GAO-04-819R, July 15, 2004.
• Homeland Security: Coordinated Planning and Standards Needed to Better Manage First Responder Grants in the National Capital Region, by William O. Jenkins, Jr., director, homeland security and justice, before the House Committee on Government Reform. GAO-04-904T, June 24, 2004.
• Homeland Security: Management of the First Responder Grants in the National Capital Region Reflects the Need for Coordinated Planning and Performance Goals. GAO-04-433, May 28, 2004.
• Status of FEMA's FY03 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. GAO-04-727R, April 28, 2004.