Purpose Statement Kirsten Gantenbein 10/26/05 The Department of Homeland Security and Interdepartmental Information Coordination in Response to Natural Disasters Purpose Statement Kirsten Gantenbein 10/26/05

Purpose Statement Context and Background Problem Research Objectives Impact 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Context and Background: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) November 25, 2002, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred over 22 federal entities—some intact and some in part—and 180,000 employees into the newly created U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). To prevent terrorist attacks Reduce vulnerability of US to terrorists Minimize damage caused by terrorist attacks 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Context and Background: FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters. Katrina exposed weaknesses in communication and organization Serious lack of coordination 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Context: Benefits of Collaboration and Coordination “Critical that very clear roles are assigned to local, state and federal authorities with clear criteria of when each is needed to augment the services and resources provided by the other” National Response Plan Provides framework for coordinated regional response 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Problem Internal factors, i.e. organization and infrastructure can create barriers to communication and coordination Different organizational structure across departments Lacks regional structure to facilitate coordination No oversight in infrastructure Divisional CIO turnover at DHS was 45% Divisional CIOs report to bureaucracy chief, who reports to Chertoff 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Research Objectives Emphasis on Observation and Description To learn about inter-organizational role mechanism of CIOs To learn the information politics Information Culture: the pattern of behaviors and attitudes that express an organization’s orientation towards information 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Methodology Evaluate Divisional CIOs Information culture Conduct Interviews with department heads to learn how departments primarily communicate Investigative survey to learn how CIOs implement coordination to accomplish framework of NRP Information culture Conduct interviews 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein

Impact Consolidate Infrastructure Across Departments in DHS Improved communications for preparedness Improved regional response and coordination for the next disaster Shift from response to preparedness Collaboration 11/18/2018 Kirsten Gantenbein