Acting FEMA official outlines plans for disaster information portal, improved survivor services and alerting

Acting Administrator Hamilton told the subcommittee that FEMA is preparing technology solutions to speed assistance, improve transparency and overhaul how the agency tracks disaster applications.

Hamilton said FEMA is considering a disaster information portal to give a portfolio‑level snapshot of programmatic information and to let cleared congressional staff “log in, see it clearly” for constituent casework. He compared the desired system to a consumer tracking tool — “when you order a pizza… you know when it was ordered, when it goes in the oven” — and said the portal would help surface program metrics, trending and status updates to reduce delays in individual assistance and public assistance payments.

Representative Newhouse asked about specific technologies; Hamilton said FEMA is exploring an information environment that aggregates program data, improves decision making and provides case tracking for survivors and authorized congressional staff. Hamilton also described coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on resilient alerting systems and said FEMA is exploring redundant technologies — including broadcast options such as AM radio — to improve public alerts in the event of power or communications loss.

Members welcomed the proposals and asked for follow‑up on funding, timelines and how member offices would be granted access to case information. Hamilton said FEMA will pursue solutions to make beneficiary interactions faster and more transparent and that the agency wants applicants to know clearly why an application may be denied.