The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is dramatically increasing the nation's stockpiles of relief supplies, retooling FEMA for the 21st century, updating disaster plans, supporting our state and local partners, and emphasizing individual and community preparedness in advaince of Huricane Season.

Here's how:

1. DRAMATICALLY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF RELIEF SUPPLIES

Four times the emergency meals and ice, and 2.5 times the water are available this year than were available prior to Hurricane Katrina. These supplies have the capacity to sustain 1 million people for a period of one week.

Stocking Relief Supplies: Before Katrina, 180 trucks with Meals Ready-To-Eat (MREs), 600 trucks with water, and 430 trucks with ice were in stock. Today, there are 770 trucks with MREs, 1,540 trucks with water, and 2,030 trucks with ice in stock.

2. UPDATING THE NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN

The NRP guides the federal response during certain disasters. Applying the lessons-learned from the last hurricane season, DHS has revised the NRP to refine and clarify this critical document.

Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities: The process for designating an event an Incident of National Significance has been clarified. A formal process is now in place for the DHS Secretary to affirmatively declare that such an event exists. The Catastrophic Incident Annex has been updated to provide more flexibility in pre-deploying assets.

Establishing the National Operations Center: The successor to the Homeland Security Operations Center, the NOC will provide a common operating picture across government by providing a central point of coordination and situational awareness in an incident. A new Incident Advisory Council will assume the functions of the Interagency Incident Management Group (IIMG).

3. RETOOLING FEMA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

FEMA is being provided 21st century tools and technologies to maximize the agency's response capabilities.

Building a Cutting-Edge Tracking System for Relief Supplies: A system is currently in place in hurricane-prone FEMA regions IV (Atlanta) and VI (Fort Worth). This system will track the shipment of relief supplies in much the same way that private sector entities track their goods.

Strengthening Communication and Situational Awareness: DHS is building enhanced communications capabilities for federal, state, and local responders in the event of a collapse of the normal communications system. Self-sustaining strike teams comprised of 30 law enforcement officers have been created for immediate deployment to gather real-time and accurate information that can be relayed to DHS leadership and the field, including streaming video.

Enhancing FEMA's Customer Service: FEMA's abilities to receive requests for assistance, protect against fraud and abuse and adjust to changing needs of disaster populations during significant recovery periods are being enhanced. FEMA will have the capacity to handle 200,000 assistance calls per day and ChoicePoint anti-fraud technology has been installed to track disaster claims.

Expediting the Pace of Debris Removal: Katrina left over 100 million cubic yards of debris in its wake over a span of 90,000 square miles. In order to streamline the debris removal process and ensure quick reimbursement for services, FEMA is establishing solid contracting practices to help communities quickly begin recovery operations. When it makes economic sense, local construction companies will be allowed to more fully participate in debris removal.

An Experienced and Capable Leadership Team Has Been Named for FEMA: The new senior leadership team brings over 100 years of combined experience to the agency. Under Secretary-designate David Paulison is a distinguished, well-respected emergency manager, with over 30 years of experience at local, state, and federal levels, including as Miami-Dade fire chief during Hurricane Andrew.

Filling Vacancies at FEMA: To date, 85% of the vacancies at FEMA have been filled and the agency is continuing to fill positions through Chief Paulison's 95/95 initiative. By early July, FEMA expects to fully meet their 95% goal.

4. IMPROVING COORDINATION WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS

By reviewing state and local disaster plans, collocating decision-makers, and pre-designating federal leadership, DHS is improving coordination across all levels of government.

Reviewing State and Local Disaster Plans: Through the National Plan Review, DHS has completed visits to 131 sites (50 states, 6 territories, and 75 major urban areas) and is reviewing the disaster and evacuation plans for each. These reviews will allow DHS to identify deficiencies and recommend improvements.

Collocating Decision Makers: Local, state, and federal leadership will be collocated in Joint Field Offices (JFOs) to improve lines of communication and increase the level of coordination. Representatives of the Department of Defense will also collocate so their resources can be fully leveraged in a disaster.

Pre-Designating Federal Disaster Coordinators: DHS has pre-designated a trained cadre of incident commanders to coordinate, plan, and train with state and local officials. 5 Principal Federal Officials (PFOs) and deputies and a number of Federal Coordinating Officers (FCOs) have been pre-assigned for hurricane-vulnerable states, regions, and territories including: Alabama, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New England, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, and the Virgin Islands.

Fully Leveraging the Resources of the Federal Government: Prior to Hurricane Katrina, only 13 mission assignments were pre-scripted for other departments. This year, there are 31. A greater number of pre-scripted mission assignments will allow supplies and services to reach the field faster. Examples of areas in which these mission assignments apply are medical support, medical evacuation, communications, transportation, mobilization centers, and staging areas.

Roles and Responsibilities: State and local governments are closest to those impacted by natural disasters, and have always been the lead in response and recovery. The federal government acts in a supporting role, providing assistance, logistical support, and certain supplies. In the past few months, Secretary Chertoff has met with the governors of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Virginia to assess needs and strengthen coordination.

5. EMPHASIZING INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

Individual and community preparedness are civic virtues. By taking simple steps to prepare, citizens can allow authorities to devote scarce resources to those who need help the most.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit and Family Emergency Plan: Individuals and families should prepare emergency supply kits with food, water, battery operated radios and medicines. Families should also make emergency plans that include how and where they would evacuate, shelter-in-place and communicate with one another. For more information on preparing for emergencies, please visit www.ready.gov.

Listen to Local Authorities: Individuals should pay careful attention to the advice of local authorities. By self-evacuating, the "able-bodied" can allow authorities to devote resources where they are needed the most.

DHS is Working with Gas Stations to Ensure the Availability of Fuel: As was seen during Hurricane Wilma, gas stations play a pivotal role in the aftermath of a storm. DHS is strongly encouraging gas stations to maintain power generators to ensure the availability of fuel in the potential hurricane impact zone.