# Lessons Learned from FEMA’s Initial Response to COVID-19
> **Audit** by Department of Homeland Security OIG · 2021-09-23
> *About: Department of Homeland Security*
## Report
- **Title:** Lessons Learned from FEMA’s Initial Response to COVID-19
- **Submitting OIG:** Department of Homeland Security OIG
- **Component agency:** Department of Homeland Security
- **Type:** Audit
- **Publication date:** 2021-09-23

## Summary

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.


## Recommendations

- **Rec 1** (Open): 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…
- **Rec 2** (Open): 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…
- **Rec 3** (Open): 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.
## Source
- [oversight.gov report page](https://www.oversight.gov/reports/audit/lessons-learned-femas-initial-response-covid-19)
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