FEMA appoints logistics chief

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it has hired a logistics coordinator to manage the purchasing and delivery of supplies during emergencies. This position was one of the principal recommendations made as a result of investigations into Hurricane Katrina and FEMA’s handling of the crisis.
In making the announcement, FEMA director R. David Paulison would not identify the person named because arrangements hadn’t been finalized. He did say the person appointed has more than 30 years’ experience in logistics at the Department of Defense.

In December, FEMA was reorganized as an independent agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), similar to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Secret Service. It also acquired new offices and functions, including logistics.

FEMA director Paulison is steering the agency through a major overhaul following criticism of its response to Hurricane Katrina