Explain how FEMA's role changed after it became part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 and again after the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

FEMA's role changed after the terrorist attacks in 2001 President W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act, creating the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

After the response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005: Community perspective, Cell phones and the web usage during emergencies, Going beyond rebuilding and Early Movers.

Explanation:

After the terrorist attacks in 2001 President W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act, creating the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department was created on March 1, 2003 and integrated FEMA and 21 other organizations. The result was that there was better coordination and communication throughout the following different federal agencies: disaster response and preparedness, law enforcement, International border protection and civil defense. FEMA wasted no time carving out a name for itself; The result of FEMA’s hard work and importance was the “Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006.” FEMA was no longer characterized as the department’s Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response.  FEMA’s top official to become the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on all emergency management-related matters in the United States.  The agency became a stand-alone element within DHS, no longer characterized as the department’s Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Things that have changed in FEMA after hurricane Katrina in 2005:

Leadership: Presidents learned the importance of placing experienced emergency managers in charge of FEMA. Presidents now appoint FEMA directors with emergency management experience.

Community perspective:  The “whole community” approach, intended to involve the private sector, community groups and individual citizens in disaster preparedness. The whole community approach was intended to harness the assets of civil society, draw attention to disaster resilience and improve coordination.

Cell phones and the web usage during emergencies: Social media made possible collaborative responses that helped people find out which shelters were open and who needed help during the storm through texts and tweets. Social media also drives the government’s response because the government responds to what’s on the news. For example, pictures of the dangerous conditions at Hospitals.

Going beyond rebuilding: Resilience, is the idea that communities can do more than just rebuild and also resilience replaces sustainability as the organizing concept in disaster management. They can invest in levees, canals, wetlands and insurance to adapt to a changing normal.

Early Movers:  Congress gave FEMA greater authority to move resources to a disaster zone before a storm rather than wait for formal requests from governors after the event.