"As we complete our after action reports[Hurricane Katrina], in the short term, there are several immediate steps we can take to begin strengthening the system. I'd like to briefly mention a few here. First, we must re-tool FEMA and enhance this vital agency's capabilities so that it can fulfill its historic and critical mission supporting response and recovery. "What does that re-tooling mean It means a more effective distribution and delivery system for supplies, more efficient business processing and disaster registration systems, and enhanced communications capabilities. "Another step we are taking to combat the lack of dependable information coming from the ground is to develop emergency reconnaissance teams that can go into a disaster area and feedback reliable, real-time information to be used at all levels of government. These teams will consist of not only FEMA disaster assistance specialists, but also Coast Guard personnel, CBP, Secret Service, and other DHS law enforcement officers and assets. "Finally, we must move forward with the creation of a preparedness directorate as outlined under the Second Stage Review plan we released in July. Many of you are familiar with this piece of the equation as you were instrumental with advice and recommendations throughout the 2SR process. To ensure that our preparedness efforts have focused direction, we intend to integrate the Department's existing preparedness efforts -- including planning, training, exercising, and funding -- into a single directorate for Preparedness. A process that is already moving forward. The FY 06 budget contains $4 billion for this initiative, and recently, the President nominated George Fores man to be Under Secretary for Preparedness and oversee this new directorate. "Of course, preparedness is not just about response and recovery - rather it must draw on the full spectrum - from prevention through protection to response. Our preparedness directorate will rely on the expertise of FEMA, but it will also integrate the experience and capabilities of our other operational assets including the U.S. Fire Administration, Coast Guard, ICE, Secret Service, as well as our training assets such as the Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy. "Going forward, FEMA will become a direct report to the Secretary, allowing it to focus on response and recovery while partnering with the new preparedness directorate to increase our overall capabilities in both of these important areas. "In light of Hurricane Katrina and at the direction of the President, we are also working with federal, state and local officials to review the emergency operations plans of every major American urban area and ensure that those plans are clear, detailed, and up-to-date. This includes specifically a hard, realistic look at evacuation planning ranging from earthquakes to subway bombings. These steps are just the beginning and in the weeks and months ahead, we will move forward to build our preparedness capability and ensure that the United States is ready to meet any type of threat or disaster with which we are faced". (DHS, Remarks by Secretary Michael Chert off, U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the International Association of Fire Chiefs Leadership Summit, November 4, 2005)