Lack of Preparedness

[Red Harvest]

How many other U.S. members out there are shocked at the sloooooowwww response so far to Katrina? This has been little better than a third world response to a disaster so far and I'm appalled. I expected our rescue efforts and evacuation efforts to be in high gear as soon as the storm cleared. Instead it has been a trickle. At this rate it will be 4 weeks before they even clear out those sitting on their roofs or rubble. Many folks are going to die if we don't pick up the pace!

This is not a direct shot at Bush since I see this as a national organizational/preparedness issue, but I really expected a lot more organization at the Federal level. It's like the whole government really didn't get it until yesterday (Wednesday), and even today I'm not convinced they get it. How could we possibly hope to cope with any major security threat, when we can't respond to a disaster like this within a reasonable period? Answer, we can't! We had over 24 hours to get a jump on relief prep before the storm even hit.

The focus is on New Orleans, but the problem is just as bad throughout much of the region.

Some examples:
This morning folks can't do rescues because of security issues--where they heck is the military? They are supposed to secure things after events like this, the local authorities never have enough resources to do this.

A commandeered (stolen) bus got to the Astrodome fully loaded faster than any of the "official buses" that finally just arrived a few hours ago. They should put that 20 year old kid in charge of organizing the transport--he's doing a far better job. Why haven't the transports been moving rapidly for the past 24 hours (more like 48?) They should be getting waved through speedily, filling up and heading out. Instead it seems to be taking over 24 hours to move anywhere.

Where are the major evacuation centers to take folks to? Instead of giving some thought to this ahead of time, they are just now getting to it.

FEMA is just now starting to contact agencies about long term housing according to my personal contacts, but they won't really have much instructions until next Tuesday about how the agencies are allowed to react. I thought the need for that was obvious BEFORE the storm hit.

Foxnews make-up boy Shepherd Smith was commenting about folks in public housing not moving to the Superdome, as if the folks didn't understand. I think they understood quite well, why would they want to move? They have food and a bed at home in the upper stories. Those with camp stoves can still cook. I wouldn't move either, until I saw that people were actually being evacuated en masse. Afterall, the Fox reporters have been commenting that even people needing medical assistance can't get out at the moment.

[Don Corleone]

I don't think you can lay this at any one person's feet, but I agree with you Red. What's more, it's frightening to think what our enemies have been learning about us in the past several days.

[Red Harvest]

I don't think you can lay this at any one person's feet, but I agree with you Red. What's more, it's frightening to think what our enemies have been learning about us in the past several days.

Don, I'm glad you took this right. Like you I'm not at all saying someone in particular screwed up, but I don't think our nation was at all prepared. It was pretty obvious to me on Sunday that this was the big one. I figured much more knowledgeable folks in FEMA and Homeland Security would pull out their disaster response books, and kick pre-existing systems into motion. Instead it looks like most of this is happening on-the-fly, in reactive mode.

[Aenlic]

Michael Chertoff should resign in disgrace - today.

He's already lying through his teeth to make himself look good. Scum.

"Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff denied reports that rescue efforts in New Orleans had been halted for security reasons Thursday, saying those operations "are continuing in full force."

And yet...

After a sniper opened fire on hospital staff at Charity Hospital, "The National Guard soldiers told staff to get away from the windows, and evacuations were halted."

In another area, "Evacuations by boat were halted after armed looters threatened medics, and overturned one of their boats."

Richard Zuschlag, president of Acadian Ambulance Service Inc., described the chaos at a suburban hospital. "We tried to airlift supplies into Kenner Memorial Hospital late last evening and were confronted by an unruly crowd with guns, and the pilots refused to land," he said.

Either Chertoff is an idiot or a liar or both. Homeland Security my ass. Maybe they should make him official Menace to Homeland Security. People are dying in the streets, dying on TV right in front of our eyes, in known locations and Chertoff is lying to cover his ass.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Well it didnt take long for someone to drag politics into this did it?

He's already lying through his teeth to make himself look good. Scum.

"Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff denied reports that rescue efforts in New Orleans had been halted for security reasons Thursday, saying those operations "are continuing in full force."
.

They are. Hes not talking about isolated instances.

After a sniper opened fire on hospital staff at Charity Hospital, "The National Guard soldiers told staff to get away from the windows, and evacuations were halted."

What would you suggest they had done here ?

[Redleg]

Before we get to many people complaining about a slow response from the military or the lack of security being preformed by the military - some need to read up on the laws that regulate what the military can do inside the borders of this country.

20 Stat. L., 145

June 18, 1878

CHAP. 263 - An act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, and for other purposes.

SEC. 15. From and after the passage of this act it shall not be lawful to employ any part of the Army of the United States, as a posse comitatus, or otherwise, for the purpose of executing the laws, except in such cases and under such circumstances as such employment of said force may be expressly authorized by the Constitution or by act of Congress; and no money appropriated by this act shall be used to pay any of the expenses incurred in the employment of any troops in violation of this section And any person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding two years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

10 U.S.C. (United States Code) 375

Sec. 375. Restriction on direct participation by military personnel:

The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that any activity (including the provision of any equipment or facility or the assignment or detail of any personnel) under this chapter does not include or permit direct participation by a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps in a search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activity unless participation in such activity by such member is otherwise authorized by law.

What that means folks is that until congress authorizes the use of Active Duty Military its up to the civilian leadership of the city and state that is effected by such diasters.

Is FEMA on its ass - sure it is. But again one must understand how FEMA is suppose to work - before just taking potshots at the organization because of the magitude of the crisis.

http://www.fema.gov/

Like all beuraracies its prone to failures, mismanagement, and just flat out laziness until a crisis is upon them. Hopefully some much needed fixing is done to the system.

Having worked on a FEMA mission when I was in the Military - the process takes about 24-48 hours before FEMA resources are in place - that is why the first responders must be the city and state agencies at the site of the diaster or emergancy.

Before complaining about a system - try to insure you understand how it is suppose to work first.

The failure of handling the situation and not being prepared has a chain of events - most of it starts at the city level. New Orleans has for years had their own FEMA type agency tasked to evacuate the city when and if it is ever needed. What happen to their plan? Why did the Mayor not call for an evacuation of the city before the Hurricane was upon the city.

Why did the governor of the state not step in - when it became obvious that something terrible was coming their way.

Again its easy just blame the government at the Federal Level for the failure - but you only seeing 1/3 of the overall failure.

[PanzerJaeger]

They reported that media are not being allowed in the Superdome because its turned into anarchy in there. There are murders, gang rapes, human remains and sewage all over the place. The cops wont go in.

Its important to ask important questions like Red has done, not make political hay in times of tradgedy.. *looks at Aenlic* Is also important to realize that this level of disaster is unprecidented for America, and mistakes will always be made.

The efforts cannot be sustained as long as we have roaming gangs with AKs attacking police stations and murdering people for the bread they looted. 10000 national guard troops are on their way and that number is expected to go up. If martial law is not already imposed, it should be done as soon as possible. Rescue workers are afraid to do their jobs.

[Don Corleone]

I'm not trying to point the finger at any one person or level of government. As you point out Redleg, I'm woefully ignorant on how the process is supposed to work. All I can say is that somehow, some way, it's gotta work better than this. What's more, we've very publicly displayed a very exploitable weakness.

[Ronin]

I'm not trying to point the finger at any one person or level of government. As you point out Redleg, I'm woefully ignorant on how the process is supposed to work. All I can say is that somehow, some way, it's gotta work better than this. What's more, we've very publicly displayed a very exploitable weakness.

i feel you are a little paranoid with the "showing weakness to our enemies" angle....

does this event show a particular weakness of America and the american government?...i think not....put any other major city in the planet under 9 feet of water and i doubt they would fair any better than new orleans has....

new orleans is in a geographic position that might make this situation a little worst....but there is hardly anything that can be done about that.

[yesdachi]

I’ll bet they had a detailed contingency plan all worked out, its in the desk drawer of the county commissioners desk, 6 feet underwater. NOT!

The elementary school down the road from me has better “incase of emergency” plans than they seem to have. I don’t want to kick um when they are down but could they have dropped the ball any worse. They live below sea level behind levies in an area ripe for hurricanes; I can’t believe they didn’t have an evacuation plan. How irresponsible if they didn’t. If they did, whoever drafted it should be kicked in the pants.

I am totally for keeping the federal government out of local issues but even they should have contingency plans for… well, just about everything. Someone should have been monitoring the situation and once the threat was recognized a response should have been made immediately. What a chance for the President, governor, a congressman or someone to take charge and ride to the rescue and really shine. Instead we have a bunch of rednecks with a stolen bus driving around saving people.

For a country with our resources, the preparation and response time has been pathetic.

[Aenlic]

The posse comitatus law doesn't apply to National Guard troops which can be used by the state Governor at his or her discretion in an emergency.

However, most of our National Guard troops aren't here. They're in Iraq. Go figure. Maybe that's the fault of the mayor of New Orleans too?

People are dying in the streets in New Orleans, bodies are lying unrecovered and rotting all along the central Gulf Coast increasing the threat of cholera and typhus, people are beginning to run out of foood and clean water, snipers are rampaging in the streets, chaos reigns in the Superdome and Chertoff is doing his best impression of Kevin Bacon's character in Animal House during the final riot scene. Meanwhile, the governors and the mayors (who I might add, Redleg blamed for the levee problems in another thread), are screaming for help.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

However, most of our National Guard troops aren't here. They're in Iraq. Go figure.

You better go figure making such ludicrous statements as that. Do you reall belive MOST of the national guard is in Iraq? How about half even? You would still be wrong.

[drone]

i feel you are a little paranoid with the "showing weakness to our enemies" angle....

does this event show a particular weakness of America and the american government?...i think not....put any other major city in the planet under 9 feet of water and i doubt they would fair any better than new orleans has....

new orleans is in a geographic position that might make this situation a little worst....but there is hardly anything that can be done about that.

The Don is worried about how other cities might cope with another type of disaster. Say the water supply gets poisoned in LA. Would the city, state, and federal government act quickly enough to prevent riots, looting, and general chaos? This would be a unexpected attack, with less warning than Katrina gave New Orleans. Seeing the resulting chaos from Katrina, does this not give terrorists insight into the weaknesses of the governments response capability?

[Red Harvest]

Before we get to many people complaining about a slow response from the military or the lack of security being preformed by the military - some need to read up on the laws that regulate what the military can do inside the borders of this country.



What that means folks is that until congress authorizes the use of Active Duty Military its up to the civilian leadership of the city and state that is effected by such diasters.

Is FEMA on its ass - sure it is. But again one must understand how FEMA is suppose to work - before just taking potshots at the organization because of the magitude of the crisis.

http://www.fema.gov/

Like all beuraracies its prone to failures, mismanagement, and just flat out laziness until a crisis is upon them. Hopefully some much needed fixing is done to the system.

Having worked on a FEMA mission when I was in the Military - the process takes about 24-48 hours before FEMA resources are in place - that is why the first responders must be the city and state agencies at the site of the diaster or emergancy.

Before complaining about a system - try to insure you understand how it is suppose to work first.

The failure of handling the situation and not being prepared has a chain of events - most of it starts at the city level. New Orleans has for years had their own FEMA type agency tasked to evacuate the city when and if it is ever needed. What happen to their plan? Why did the Mayor not call for an evacuation of the city before the Hurricane was upon the city.

Why did the governor of the state not step in - when it became obvious that something terrible was coming their way.

Again its easy just blame the government at the Federal Level for the failure - but you only seeing 1/3 of the overall failure.

I don't blame the military. It looked to me like (and still does) that nobody in civilian leadership (that would be a very short list) gave anyone military or guard the objective of evacuating survivors in X days. Civilian leadership is an issue. Some of that is political leadership (varying depending on what level and where), but others are existing non-political organs.

New Orleans did order mandatory evacuation fairly soon. They had ordered evacuation itself even earlier. They simply did not have enough time to get the people out. It wasn't just New Orleans, the whole are had the problem and were sharing many of the same exit routes.

There never has been a city that could do much about this sort of event sprung on them so rapidly. The resources at city level are not there, nor are they ever going to be. From what I saw New Orleans did a fairly good job in the first 24 yours after the storm hit. They were certainly more organized then many of their neighbors.

It was very clear before the storm hit that national resources would have to handle this. Waiting 24-48 hours was a recipe for disaster.

I'm not sure who had authority to bring in the Army/Marines, but since this is a matter of national security, I don't see why a rapid response force was not standing by and authorization requested ASAP. Trickling in the guard is not pragmatic and so far it has not been effective.

Looks to me like we have a system that doesn't allow for rapid response. Counting on a 48+ hour lag is not going to work for something of this magnitude.

A lot more is needed, like a temporary shelter plan by region, so that people can be moved out rapidly. Also a rapid evacuation commandeering of buses (with compensation) and other forms of mass transport. Much of the security issue would be absent if people had been moved out speedily on buses. Road links are available, although fewer than before.

What I'm seeing is a wait-and-see system that works in reactive mode. It's not that many of us don't want to help. Instead, there is no system in place for us to help.

[Aenlic]

You better go figure making such ludicrous statements as that. Do you reall belive MOST of the national guard is in Iraq? How about half even? You would still be wrong.

I was wrong in saying most, you are correct. I meant many. But, since you asked...

Nationwide, only about 6% of the National Guard are in Iraq. But the federal government has only promised that at least half of any particular state's contingent will be guaranteed as available in the state. In the Gulf States, roughly 60% of the Guard is available for disaster relief; but not all at once or on short notice. That's a good figure. But that also means that 40% of the Guard are not available to the State for disaster relief. In both Mississippi and Louisiana, some 3000 Guard members for each state are in Iraq. Other states are having to fly in Guard to help now - some 11,000 from places like Tennessee. ;) Guard units that could not have been used prior to release by the federal government, which release wasn't forthcoming until yesterday.

[Redleg]

I'm not trying to point the finger at any one person or level of government. As you point out Redleg, I'm woefully ignorant on how the process is supposed to work. All I can say is that somehow, some way, it's gotta work better than this. What's more, we've very publicly displayed a very exploitable weakness.

Yes indeed it was suppose to work better then what happened - a miserable failure on all levels in handling this emergancy.

[Redleg]

I don't blame the military. It looked to me like (and still does) that nobody in civilian leadership (that would be a very short list) gave anyone military or guard the objective of evacuating survivors in X days. Civilian leadership is an issue. Some of that is political leadership (varying depending on what level and where), but others are existing non-political organs.

Well I place most of my questions about evacution on the state. The governor should be asked some very tough questions.

New Orleans did order mandatory evacuation fairly soon. They had ordered evacuation itself even earlier. They simply did not have enough time to get the people out. It wasn't just New Orleans, the whole are had the problem and were sharing many of the same exit routes.

Yep I saw that to - that makes it a wonder why FEMA was not activated earlier. And On that premise I agree tough questions must be asked and answered by all levels of government in several states. Some of the problem however does lay outside of any government's control. Some people chose just not to evacuate, some could not afford to evacuate, etc. and then their is the limited road network in and out of the area.

There never has been a city that could do much about this sort of event sprung on them so rapidly. The resources at city level are not there, nor are they ever going to be. From what I saw New Orleans did a fairly good job in the first 24 yours after the storm hit. They were certainly more organized then many of their neighbors.

I would also agree with you here - that is why I believe the governor needs to be held responsible for not activiting state agencies to help the city in its evacuation. I wonder what was the city's plan and what was the state's plan to assist the city.

It was very clear before the storm hit that national resources would have to handle this. Waiting 24-48 hours was a recipe for disaster.

Actually would have to disagree - national resources have to come from somewhere, they have to be coordinated, they must be provided, all kinds of coordiantion must take place. Was there some time for federal assistance - indeed that might be some, but again it goes to the orginial point - did the state request from the Federal Government any assistance? Without knowing the answer to that question - it is extremely difficult to find fault with the FEMA system as I came to understand it - when I was assigned to 5th Army. 5th Army by the way has the military mission for any FEMA mission in Loiusiana and 1st Army will have that responsiblity on the East side of the Mississippi River.

I'm not sure who had authority to bring in the Army/Marines, but since this is a matter of national security, I don't see why a rapid response force was not standing by and authorization requested ASAP. Trickling in the guard is not pragmatic and so far it has not been effective.

Because for the military to be used within the boundries of the nation - it must be an act of congress or a declared martial law. Review the use of the 7th Infantry Division in the LA riots will provide the information needed to answer this question.

The State National Guard is under the direct control of the state except for when the Federal Government activaties the unit. The Governor of Louisina has a Mechnazied Infantry Brigade. ONe of the main missions of the National Guard is just such as is being done now.

Looks to me like we have a system that doesn't allow for rapid response. Counting on a 48+ hour lag is not going to work for something of this magnitude.

Yes indeed that is my feeling exactly - and it was my feeling when we had to assist FEMA in the floods that happen in San Antonio several years back. The failure of FEMA in being a rapid response agency has several smaller diasters that were never corrected. (at least that is my opinion from experience working with it)

A lot more is needed, like a temporary shelter plan by region, so that people can be moved out rapidly. Also a rapid evacuation commandeering of buses (with compensation) and other forms of mass transport. Much of the security issue would be absent if people had been moved out speedily on buses. Road links are available, although fewer than before.

That is beyond the scope of FEMA as I came to understand it - they might have changed under the new agency departmentalization - but it doesn't seem so to me as of yet.

What I'm seeing is a wait-and-see system that works in reactive mode. It's not that many of us don't want to help. Instead, there is no system in place for us to help.

Yes - I agree - my experience with FEMA is that it is a reactive agency - that must coordinate at the Federal Level to assist.

City and State governments are the first responders and the planners for thier area of the country.

[Beirut]

I don't mean to sound callous, I do have great sympathy for the people suffering in New Orleans, but why are all these people surprised by what happened? Doesn't everyone and his grandmother know that living in that area is... problematic, as far as natural disasters go?

For example, is there anyone who would move to Alaska and be surprised when the first snow falls?

Or am I missing something?

[Red Harvest]

I don't mean to sound callous, I do have great sympathy for the people suffering in New Orleans, but why are all these people surprised by what happened? Doesn't everyone and his grandmother know that living in that area is... problematic, as far as natural disasters go?

For example, is there anyone who would move to Alaska and be surprised when the first snow falls?

Or am I missing something?

Same could be said for the entire Gulf Coast. Unfortunately for us (since I live closer than I would like to it now) there is a tremendous amount of industry associated with it. And it is congested. Getting out is not easy, and some folks simply can't leave (including many emergency responders I suppose.) My own sister-in-law stayed put in Baton Rouge, while I would have left 24 hours before, when the track uncertainty was far greater. She was thinking about leaving but it was too late as the roads were jammed. I couldn't believe it when she called and said she was riding it out.

New Orleans had dodged the bullet before, and complacency had set in. Same for Mississippi, Alabama, etc. Some people thought they could ride it out. I saw picks of a few white middle class survivors in Mississippi who were saved only by the fact that their homes were in the shadow of a strong tall tower apartment complex. I don't think they appreciated the extremely low pressure, high winds, and storm surge associated with this one.

Many parts of Alaska's coasts are subject to tsunami's and large quakes as well. These can hit fast, and without immediate response (and in spite of it) the result could be quite similar. We had tsunami drills when I was working there and I've been through a few small (6.0, 6.1 etc.) quakes--that would be huge in many areas of the lower 48, but where I was they were mainly just annoyances and attention getters. It was the 7+ that we feared.

Hey, I'd rather live high and dry, but the money isn't there.

[sharrukin]

Martial law was declared in New Orleans on Tuesday, and given how rapidly the Congress and the Executive moved over the Terry Schiavo case the lack of urgency about this disaster seems rather disturbing.

The news media has in several cases used vans, SUV's, and pickup trucks to get into New Orleans only to find that they are the first and only one's there. Now many days later we still have reports of people who have yet to see any rescue personnel. Things are starting to improve but I honestly don't think they were well prepared for what had been predicted before the hurricane made landfall.

[Red Harvest]

Redleg,

I think we agree on much of this, but this one clearly illustrates that the State authorities alone would be insufficient. It is far past what a state can manage to have its largest city and adjacent regions and infrastructure devastated like this. I'm counting nearly 20% of the State's population being in the effected zone. It clearly escalates to Federal level in the planning phase in my eyes.

What it points out to me is that for this and smaller disasters, we need a much more rapid deployment force (and national plan for civilian authorities), self sufficient, with their own communications, to deploy in the event of disaster within 24 hours. They would have to be requested by the states, but they would have plans for securing every major metropolitan area. To me this is a case of basic national preparedness. Events like this demonstrate vulnerabilities, and require some new thinking.

I have confidence in the military that if charged with a mission to evacuate folks, secure an area in X days, they will find a way to do it, or come back with a counter plan that is better/reasonable. They need to be given broad freedom and authority to fulfill a given mission though.

[Aenlic]

It's not just the Gulf Coast. The Atlantic coastal areas are asking for trouble as well.

The last time the area from New Orleans to Gulfport experienced a storm this big was 36 years ago. Since then, the entire area has exploded in terms of population and business development. The same is true for the entire seaboard from Brownsville, Texas to New York City, massive development with little to no thought given to the inevitability of hurricanes along that entire coast. It's like building on a fault line in California. It's not a matter of if it happens; it's a matter of when.

The situation in New Orleans was going to happen eventually, just because of where the city was located. The devastation along the rest of the central Gulf Coast was bound to happen. It's going to happen elsewhere too. Maybe next month, maybe year, maybe next decade.

We're only halfway through the hurricane season and tomorrow tropical depression 14 will become the 13th named storm of the season as Maria. Historically, the worst storms occur in September. Later in the season is when storms typically turn north earlier and hit the East Coast. The most tropical storms in one year for the Atlantic basin was 21. At the current rate, we could hit 26.

Mayors in places like Savannah, Charleston and Cape Hatteras had better be paying attention; because they will get hit - eventually. People who have purchased their lovely over-priced homes with a view on barrier islands all along the coast had better be paying attention as well. They really seem to act as if they're immune.

[Redleg]

Redleg,

I think we agree on much of this, but this one clearly illustrates that the State authorities alone would be insufficient. It is far past what a state can manage to have its largest city and adjacent regions and infrastructure devastated like this. I'm counting nearly 20% of the State's population being in the effected zone. It clearly escalates to Federal level in the planning phase in my eyes.

Yes indeed - and it requires a complete restructuring of the current way FEMA is organized and operates. If this emergancy does not show the necessity for the Federal Government to actually go beyond the reactionary mode of emergancy assistance nothing will. I made the mistake of one time questioning why FEMA and the military operates the way it does - I had a COL and an LTC give me a lecture of Posse Comiatis and how FEMA operates to make me vomit from the sheer bueararcy of the governmental functions as it relates to states. Congress is going to have to restructure some of the current laws.

What it points out to me is that for this and smaller disasters, we need a much more rapid deployment force (and national plan for civilian authorities), self sufficient, with their own communications, to deploy in the event of disaster within 24 hours. They would have to be requested by the states, but they would have plans for securing every major metropolitan area. To me this is a case of basic national preparedness. Events like this demonstrate vulnerabilities, and require some new thinking.

Couldn't agree more.

I have confidence in the military that if charged with a mission to evacuate folks, secure an area in X days, they will find a way to do it, or come back with a counter plan that is better/reasonable. They need to be given broad freedom and authority to fulfill a given mission though.

Yes indeed - but the Posse Comatais (SP) legistlation will have to be revoked - and something new will have to put in place. The reason for the law was because what happened after the completion of the Civil War - and the law needs to be reviewed very carefully to allow certain types of emergancy missions within the borders of the state to be handled by the military.

[Kongamato]

This is on the "showing weakness to our enemies" comments...

Over the last few years, several large and disturbing cracks in this country's infrastructure have appeared. The massive East Coast blackout, yearly devastating wildfires, 9/11, and now the Katrina disaster all show that there are many unguarded "targets of opportunity" in the US. After this disaster, anyone with a terrorist agenda has now pondered seeking the ability to rapidly strike these targets once they present themselves.

I might also be paranoid as well. Let's see. Ichi, if you happen to be reading this, what kind of destruction could a team of terrorists achieve by starting coordinated wildfires during the western dry season? Are people capable of this, or does this require more than just a matchbook? Do the fire departments have a plan for this kind of thing, or does it just get laughed at?

[Redleg]

To illustrate my point - and I think it is yours also - at this site is current programs of FEMA


http://www.fema.gov/regions/vi/programs.shtm

Typical bueraracy shortfalls and problems in how it is set up to do planning and prevention

Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Hazard Mitigation Overview, (19MB MS PowerPoint 97)
Community Mitigation (CM)

Preparedness

Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP)
HAZMAT/CHER-CAP
HAZMAT Exercise Benefits Responders And Citizens Of Benton County, AR
CHER-CAP Initiative
Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP)
State/Local/Tribal
Response & Recovery

Human Services (HS)
Human Service Overview, (4.6MB MS PowerPoint 97)
Infrastructure (PA)
Operations & Planning
An Overview of FEMA, (5MB MS PowerPoint 97)
Administration and Resource Planning

Information Systems
Program Services

If nothing else its beginning to piss me off more about FEMA then I was when dealing with them in 1999. FEMA is more about handling out money after the emergancy has occured then preparing for and helping cities and states prepare and plan for problems.

And people wonder why it takes 24-48 hours for FEMA to get moving. Its a typical governmental bueraracy.

And one we can not just blame President Bush for - it was worse in 1999. It took 48 hours to get the resources together to assist San Antonio with their limited flooding.

Nothing ever changes with the Federal Government - regardless of who or what party is in control.

[Adrian II]

Or am I missing something?

I have (had) similar questions during this whole episode, but I guess what it comes down to is you and I don't know Jack Split about how things are organised over there. What I do know is I admire the way in which Redleg and Red Harvest are discussing these matters and cutting through the rhetoric to get at the core of the (bureaucratic) obstacles. I have no comments, but I read all their stuff with great interest.

[ichi]

The Keystone Cops Meet Katrina

[Red Harvest]

And people wonder why it takes 24-48 hours for FEMA to get moving. Its a typical governmental bueraracy.

And one we can not just blame President Bush for - it was worse in 1999. It took 48 hours to get the resources together to assist San Antonio with their limited flooding.

Nothing ever changes with the Federal Government - regardless of who or what party is in control.

The long range stuff needs to be separate from the short range. Yes, we need FEMA to work on the long term items. Short term, evacuation/rescue, temporary shelter are "perishable" items need a different approach, otherwise you have the bureaucracy in the way.

[Papewaio]

SEC. 15. From and after the passage of this act it shall not be lawful to employ any part of the Army of the United States, as a posse comitatus, or otherwise, for the purpose of executing the laws,

Isn't this stating that the Army will not be used in the place of law enforcement?

Howabout rescue work and engineering?

[Proletariat]

I'm not impressed with the goingson so far at all, starting with FEMA, the Homeland Sec, and the Mayor.

Still, how the hell do you wind up being prepared for something like this?

It's not like this is run of the mill or routine. In fact, it's so devestating and horrific that everyone is upset. Since everyone is upset, they're angry that things aren't being rectified quickly enough. But if it wasn't devestating and horrific, no one would be this upset in the first place. Can't win situation for the rescue effort.

Btw, I am starting to become a little angry with the 'Hey, the news is full of it. Nothing will happen here in Nahleans. I'm staying!' crowd.

When you ignore warnings of the most destructive storm in ages about to hit your ill-prepared city, don't get on TV and start complaining that no one is rushing to save you and you're family.