Cybersecurity

FEMA CIO Adrian Gardner reassigned

Gardner, who took over FEMA's IT office in 2013, accepted a new position as the Executive Director of Recovery Communications Technology in the Caribbean Area Division.

Cybersecurity

FEMA looks to industry for IT help

FEMA's strategic plan announced earlier this month also asks state and local governments to provide more support.

Cybersecurity

IG to investigate FEMA IT management

DHS' internal watchdog is planning to dig into FEMA's IT management practices, due to concerns it was misled by FEMA leadership about progress on IT management goals.

Modernization

Agencies prep communications for Hurricane Irma

FEMA, the FCC turn to prepping communications providers for oncoming Hurricane Irma, as post-Hurricane Harvey cleanup continues in Texas.

Cybersecurity

Storm aid could push debt, shutdown deadline to December

The emergency appropriations package for hurricane Harvey could let lawmakers punt budget and debt deals to the end of 2017, with the next shutdown threat coming in mid-December.

Modernization

FEMA mobile comms units roll in for Harvey

The federal disaster agency's fleet of mobile offices is helping power communications support for emergency responders in the Texas flood.

People

OPM offers flex for Harvey hiring

The Office of Personnel Management reminded agencies that there are exceptions in place to fast-track hiring of critical need positions, despite the federal hiring slowdown.

Cybersecurity

Why FEMA needs a new administrator, now

Former FEMA Administer Craig Fugate and House Homeland Security subcommittee leadership call for new emergency manager for the agency as soon as possible.

Cybersecurity

GAO: FEMA needs framework to improve IT systems

According to the Government Accountability Office, FEMA needs to develop a governing framework for the oversight and modernization of IT investments.

Cybersecurity

FEMA tunes into social media for operations

FEMA is adding public-facing social media to the operational data streams used by its watch centers in civil emergencies.

Cybersecurity

FEMA still lags on IT coordination, watchdog says

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general says FEMA has improved the way it handles IT projects since the last audit in 2011, but work remains.

Cybersecurity

Billions in FEMA grants still unspent

Congressional hearing probes the reasons why state and local governments aren't spending the federal money they've been given.

Cybersecurity

Disaster drill derailed by disasters

Severe weather hampered the annual National Level Exercise this year by forcing some federal employees to cancel their participation in order to attend to real-life recovery efforts, according to a new audit.

Cybersecurity

140 inaccurate characters: Social media and disasters

Social media tools can spread disaster information fast, but the possibiity of inaccurate information calls their usefulness into question.

Cybersecurity

Social media: A mixed blessing for disaster response

A report from the Congressional Research Service highlights some of the benefits and potential risks in using tools such as Facebook and Twitter to help with disaster response.

Cybersecurity

Technology aided disaster response

Earthquakes and hurricanes didn't daunt the federal response, but trouble is on the horizon for funding.

Cybersecurity

9/11 at FEMA: Information on demand

Marc Wolfson recalls how quickly the public affairs staff at FEMA kicked into high gear and started posting information on the agency's website.