The objective was to determine how effectively FEMA supported and coordinated Federal efforts to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We determined that FEMA did not have reliable data to inform allocation decisions and ensure accurate adjudication of resource requests, it did not have a process to allocate the limited supply of PPE, and FEMA’s strategic documents did not clearly outline roles and responsibilities to lead the Federal response. We made three recommendations that FEMA improve the reliability of WebEOC, formally document the policies and procedures for allocating critical lifesaving supplies and equipment, and that FEMA work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to clarify the agencies’ pandemic response roles and responsibilities under Stafford Act declarations. FEMA concurred with all three recommendations which remain open and resolved.
Open Recommendations
| Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend the Assistant Administrator for Response in the Office of Response and Recovery at FEMA improve the reliability ofWebEOC data by:a) developing internal controls for WebEOC to prevent incomplete andinaccurate information from being entered into the system; andb) ensuring all new users receive formal training on completing,submitting, processing, and tracking of resource requests in WebEOC. | |||||
| 2 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend the Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery at FEMA strengthen FEMA’s coordination during the COVID-19response and future pandemics by formally documenting the policies and procedures for making informed and consistent resource allocation decisions for critical lifesaving supplies and equipment. | |||||
| 3 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend the Administrator of FEMA, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, issue clarifying guidancedefining agencies’ pandemic response roles and responsibilities under Stafford Act declarations. | |||||
