Townsend outlines emergency improvements

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Frances Townsend, security aide to U.S. President George Bush, Monday outlined a report to help the United States prepare for its next emergency situation.

Townsend spoke Monday to the National Emergency Management Association meeting just outside Washington. The report she references is due by the end of the month.

All sectors of government -- perhaps the federal government more so -- have come under fire for the response after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. Hundreds of people died and thousands remain displaced and emergency personnel have been working to make sure the next emergency is met in a more effective manner.

Along that line Department of Home Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Monday announced several changes for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Townsend said her report found 17 major issues -- including communications, logistics and evacuation -- that need improvement.

"Working together we will transform out national preparedness and improve our response capabilities," she said.

Townsend was very defensive of Bush's efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane, saying," I reject any suggestion that President Bush was anything less than fully involved," before listing steps Bush took to help the relief effort.