FEMA to be major focus of gov't watchdog

[babylonsister]

FEMA to be major focus of gov't watchdog

By EILEEN SULLIVAN
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Homeland Security Department's internal watchdog plans to focus nearly half its time investigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the department's overall management practices in the coming year.

In a forecast by the Homeland Security inspector general, the number of FEMA investigations outnumber those planned for any of the 10 other divisions listed.

Each year the department's inspector general lists the reports it expects to produce. For 2008, the IG plans to produce 173 management reports - 53 on FEMA and 31 on the department's management division.

FEMA has been under the spotlight since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and 13 of the investigations over the next year involve ongoing Gulf Coast recovery projects.

"FEMA has dramatically strengthened its capabilities and planning over the past two years," DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said. "We're the first to recognize that while we do not always agree with (the inspector general's) assessments, they ultimately help to make the department stronger."

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