FEMA Can Improve Its Purchase Controls at Joint Field Offices

In 2011, State Governors praised the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Federal response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene. FEMA won high marks for providing support for recovery to localities along the Atlantic seaboard from Puerto Rico to Maine. Notwithstanding the compliments from the recipient States for the support provided, FEMA has the opportunity going forward to take advantage of substantial cost savings and improve internal controls over consumable materials purchased by the temporary field offices that support response and recovery efforts.