Browse Ideas with tag 'fema':

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  FEMA Disaster Application Process

  Change the NEMIS system that takes disaster applications for data to be entered by Applicant's social security number. Keep one file on each person and just add tabs whenever they are in a different disaster. Currently, every year, many of the same disaster areas and people data are re-entered year after year and we have to keep starting over to collect data and update our system. We need to carry the information over ...more »

  Change the NEMIS system that takes disaster applications for data to be entered by Applicant's social security number. Keep one file on each person and just add tabs whenever they are in a different disaster. Currently, every year, many of the same disaster areas and people data are re-entered year after year and we have to keep starting over to collect data and update our system. We need to carry the information over from year to year so we don't have to keep re-inventing the wheel and reuse information already on file. That way when we replace furnaces or have duplications of household individuals and such, we have the past information to assist us and this can avoid overpayments, quicker processing, and avoid waste of time researching and regathering information. This would make the application process much faster for the applicant as well.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Increase Disaster Responsiveness via Smarter Logistics

  As a FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team member and Logistician, I find it extremely inefficient that we continue to warehouse, transport, and pre-position truckloads and pallets of bulk water to disaster locations rather than incorporating other measures such as working with private industry bottling companies near the disaster event location to provide this service. These companies can be strategically worked ...more »

  As a FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team member and Logistician, I find it extremely inefficient that we continue to warehouse, transport, and pre-position truckloads and pallets of bulk water to disaster locations rather than incorporating other measures such as working with private industry bottling companies near the disaster event location to provide this service. These companies can be strategically worked into regional Disaster Response Plans and identified as critical facilities for priority response and repair activities (such as power restoration) following a major disaster. They could then be contracted to deliver the water to state PODs or NGOs. This would save the government milions of dollars in airlifting or trucking bulk water.

  Another suggestion would be to utilize modern day hydration technologies to provide for disaster survivors during catastrophic events (such as foward osmosis water filtration systems) These solutions have a 90% reduced logistics footprint so that we can store more in our warehouses, deliver more hydration capability, aid several times as many survivors, and spend less money to do it all. In some catastrophic disaster events like earthquakes and tsunamis, water is available in the community but it may not be potable. Products like HydroPacks and Lifestraws can provide swift and effective hydration to survivors in remote areas and in places where Logistics transportation bottlenecks need to be addressed (dense urban populations after an earthquake, islands and territories such as Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico).

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  TSA/CBP Shouldn’t one agency do both jobs at the same time?

  TSA was formed to create security in our transportation system, the idea is good but the way how the Administrations is using our tax money not. TSA screeners at airports are doing almost the something as CBP officers (Customs and Border Patrol), controlling the travel public as well as the cargo. Why do we have to spend money in double security? At the same airport “a CBP officer checks your passport and goods, and ...more »

  TSA was formed to create security in our transportation system, the idea is good but the way how the Administrations is using our tax money not.

  TSA screeners at airports are doing almost the something as CBP officers (Customs and Border Patrol), controlling the travel public as well as the cargo. Why do we have to spend money in double security? At the same airport “a CBP officer checks your passport and goods, and a TSA officer checks your ticket and bottles of liquids, food, etc.

  Shouldn’t one federal agency do both jobs at the same time?

  Customs should train TSA screeners a little more in terms immigration and join both agencies, cutting all the excess employees from TSA who don't qualify for the new positions.

  We're focus our money in hiring more screener at the airport everyday to "control our bottles of water, food, etc. in our own people", not quite a good idea. Spending millions in body scanners? Why?

  This idea will be perfect if we concentrate our resources in preventing terrorist’s or dangerous people to board our aircrafts in advance. Prevent someone who wishes to harm our country with intelligence before actually happens.

  Develop a system in which a frequent flyer can go through security without been check, a great percentage of our people flights a lot, monitor this system to avoid breaches in security and focus in something else.

  50% of the TSA idea is great in terms of Security, like using new technology, air marshal police, aviation and cargo Inspectors, etc. Because don’t forget we still have to cover our cargo system as well to maintain security control at all the times. The other 50% is an excess of personnel who don’t contribute much to this idea or to the mission.

  If we join TSA with CBP we will save a lot of money in personnel, and resources (TAX MONEY), and we’ll cover the same amount of work. As a result of this idea our security and immigration laws around the country will be enforced by Customs and we’ll be saving billions of tax dollars in a short period of time.

  A smart decision will save the American people millions of dollars a day.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Eliminate Redundant Emergency Management Application (NEFRLS)

  Eliminating this program would literally require an act of Congress (ie modifying PKEMRA) rather than a policy change, but it is something that FEMA could advocate for. FEMA operates an application called the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS). This system is intended to allow disaster survivors to register with the site, update their condition and location and allow certain family members/friends ...more »

  Eliminating this program would literally require an act of Congress (ie modifying PKEMRA) rather than a policy change, but it is something that FEMA could advocate for.

  FEMA operates an application called the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS). This system is intended to allow disaster survivors to register with the site, update their condition and location and allow certain family members/friends to view that information.

  This seems to be a useful tool, but it is redundant with Red Cross' Safe and Well system and Google's Person Finder.

  Save and Well performs as well as NEFRLS and may receive federal funding, but, if not, could be funded with the money saved by eliminating NEFRLS.

  Google's application exists without any federal funding, works equally well as NEFRLS and integrates with a company who's products many people are familiar with and use frequently.

  Additionally, given the multitude of quick and easy ways to communicate with others (Facebook, Twitter, Gmail Status), many people do not want to take the time to register for a new website and enter in their personal information.

  NEFRLS is an example of the government being behind the technology curve and should be eliminated.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Utilize the Site

  Mandate that the top 100 ideas at a minimum are forwarded to the involved agency executive for review and comment. There are an extensive amount of valuable ideas here that may not score number one. It would be tremendous waste of effort if those below number one were not reviewed for consideration. We all have an idea or two here, we all put effort into this, what a waste if the ideas were simply deleted. Mandate ...more »

  Mandate that the top 100 ideas at a minimum are forwarded to the involved agency executive for review and comment.

  There are an extensive amount of valuable ideas here that may not score number one. It would be tremendous waste of effort if those below number one were not reviewed for consideration. We all have an idea or two here, we all put effort into this, what a waste if the ideas were simply deleted.

  Mandate that they are reviewed and not thrown out with the trash.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Have US Military assume FEMA

  FEMA should be replaced by the US Military. The military is uniquely equipped, and quickly deployable with Air Transportable Hospitals, tent cities, doctors, etc, as well as civil engineering, communications, etc. Oversight would be a single General, who can use resources from all branches of service. This would all be accomplished using EXISTING military personnel.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Federal Employee Video Testimony

  Routinely the DOJ and US Attorneys Office will subpoena Federal employees to testify in cases outside of the employee's geographical work area. These cases can often be cross country in nature as currently my office on the West Coast is working to find funding to send an employee to the East Coast for under one hour of general background testimony. A cross country flight and hotel for less than one hour of general ...more »

  Routinely the DOJ and US Attorneys Office will subpoena Federal employees to testify in cases outside of the employee's geographical work area.

  These cases can often be cross country in nature as currently my office on the West Coast is working to find funding to send an employee to the East Coast for under one hour of general background testimony.

  A cross country flight and hotel for less than one hour of general testimony. This is our Government at work. A Government which is under a CR yet we continue to spend on travel when there is no need.

  We can do much better by having the involved employee sworn in at the local US Courthouse and testify or provide affidavit by video conference. Extensive and immediate cost savings.

  This is applicable to all agencies and bureaus to include but not limited to; BOP, CBP, CPSC, DOJ, FBI, DHS, HSI, HUD, ICE, IRS, NOAA, USDA.

  http://files.ali-aba.org/thumbs/datastorage/lacidoirep/articles/PLIT0909-Lederer_thumb.pdf

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  FLOODING: use prisons to fill sandbags. Bureau of Prisons help

  In recent years, disasters which include flooding require the use of hundreds or even thousands of sandbags. These are normally filled by already stressed civilians or emergency workers. WIth over 125 federal prisons, many located to flood or disaster prone areas, large quantities of sandbags could be stored in conex boxes, and inmates can fill them when needed in an emergency. Each prison has contingency plans already ...more »

  In recent years, disasters which include flooding require the use of hundreds or even thousands of sandbags. These are normally filled by already stressed civilians or emergency workers. WIth over 125 federal prisons, many located to flood or disaster prone areas, large quantities of sandbags could be stored in conex boxes, and inmates can fill them when needed in an emergency. Each prison has contingency plans already in place, and this could be included. Each prison has an Emergency Prepardness officer, and the critera could be pre-written. Each prison which is located close to a sand source, could easily have thousands of tons of sand brought in, and begin filling sandbags. THen trucks would be brought in to haul them to the necessary location. All using inmate labor.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  Emergency supply storage: Use prison property

  In many recent major disasters, the issue of getting supplies to an area fast has been a problem. Also, the expensive storage of these supplies is an expense issue. Federal prisons, and military bases, have vast expanse's of land with them. Instead of leasing warehouses, build simple warehouses in military and federal prison land, and store emergency supplies there. On prison land, for example, prison labor could be ...more »

  In many recent major disasters, the issue of getting supplies to an area fast has been a problem. Also, the expensive storage of these supplies is an expense issue.

  Federal prisons, and military bases, have vast expanse's of land with them. Instead of leasing warehouses, build simple warehouses in military and federal prison land, and store emergency supplies there. On prison land, for example, prison labor could be used, instead of expense staff, to rotate, monitor, and inventory emergency supplies. One staff member could monitor up to 50 inmate workers. FMC Lexington, Ky., is a good example. Hundreds of acres of flat land, and we pay money to mow it, instead of storing usable supplies in a warehouse built on govt. property, and maintained by almost free labor inmates.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  American SWAG Only

  SWAG Stuff We All Get You have seen it in your unit’s storage or at a recruiting event. We give it out to visitors at trade shows or at an unit open house event. Coffee cups, calendars, key chains, pens, challenge coins, you name it and the only thing in common is the sticker on the bottom; Made in China. It is time to impose immediate legislation that will prohibit the purchase of foreign made items for official ...more »

  SWAG

  Stuff We All Get

  You have seen it in your unit’s storage or at a recruiting event. We give it out to visitors at trade shows or at an unit open house event.

  Coffee cups, calendars, key chains, pens, challenge coins, you name it and the only thing in common is the sticker on the bottom; Made in China.

  It is time to impose immediate legislation that will prohibit the purchase of foreign made items for official use. How embarrassing is it for an unit to host VIP foreign visitors and as a departing gift to handout a coffee cup or challenge coin with the sticker; Made in China.

  Enough is enough, let’s get serious and buy American. It appears we can not do it on our own so let’s legislate it so there is no choice. Any official US Government give-a-ways or SWAG needs to be American made.

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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  FEMA Flood Mapping

  FEMA has atated in a recent Houston Chronicle article that while other flood studies exist like the one the USGS has completed. They do not HAVE to use them. Not that the can't use use they just don't want too. Using the USGS study would get my subdivision and 1,000s of my neighbors out of the flood plain saving all of us $1,000s of dollars in unneeded flood insurance and restoring our property right which have been ...more »

  FEMA has atated in a recent Houston Chronicle article that while other flood studies exist like the one the USGS has completed. They do not HAVE to use them. Not that the can't use use they just don't want too. Using the USGS study would get my subdivision and 1,000s of my neighbors out of the flood plain saving all of us $1,000s of dollars in unneeded flood insurance and restoring our property right which have been taken without due process or compensation. FEMA does not NEED to SPEND a million dollars on a NEW Flood Study for Brayes Bayou. USGS has already completed the work

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  Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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