DHS Says FEMA 'Retooled' for 2006 Hurricane Season

From providing more meals, water and ice, to making sure evacuees can fill their gas tanks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims to have made great progress in "retooling FEMA for the 21st century."

In a recently published Fact Sheet, DHS outlines the federal government’s efforts to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Greatest emphasis has been placed on increasing stockpiles of relief supplies, updating of disaster plans at all levels of government, improved federal support of local responders and a heightened emphasis on individual and community preparedness efforts.

Already available for the 2006 storm season, says DHS, are enough emergency supplies to sustain 1 million people for one week, including four times the emergency meals and ice, and 2.5 times the water than were available before Katrina.

For more information on how you and your family can prepare for disaster, please visit www.ready.gov.