First, FEMA is not effectively designating the federal employee workforce, nor managing them well. FEMA should take additional steps to improve the readiness and management of this workforce.
FEMA did not have a clear commitment from these agencies nor individuals. There was no roster. This is not a cadre of reserve people with go-bags, credentials, and training.
FEMA did not measure their performance. There was no mechanism for reimbursing agencies – no means of validating expenses for accuracy, necessity of costs, nor the reasonableness of costs.
In short, when overwhelmed and stretched thin FEMA was ineffective at managing federal employees brought into help their agency.