Lack of a Designated National In-Transit Visibility System Affects the Synchronization of Information Sharing and the Timely Distribution of Materials

This research discusses the challenges of providing timely distribution of supplies during hurricane relief operations due to the lack of a designated national in-transit visibility (ITV) system. Historical lessons learned from the hurricane that devastated New Hampshire in 1635 reveal that similar trends existed during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The creation of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) allocated resources and capabilities toward hurricane relief operations. FEMA's flexible initiatives on establishing a common operating picture architecture may fall short in tightening local officials' efforts to develop an interoperable ITV system that links into national systems. USNORTHCOM's ITV concept of operations plans clearly outlines the ITV program that is best for all agencies involved in response efforts. On 12 January 2010, Operation Unified Response - Haiti's earthquake relief operations, demonstrated that the age-old trend continues to challenge the joint interagency environment. Therefore, this research recommends modification to FEMA's current common operating picture compliance policy or the strict enforcement of an established concept of operations plan on ITV.