Response to Katrina

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Once again it seems we are gonna hear the same excuse for 9/11 "no one could have imagined such a large disaster" Im sick of hearing these stupid excuses, its a lack of imagination, its aslo pathetic

Can you please direct me to the section in the National Response Plan where it says that the State has no responsibility in the response to a natural disaster.

BTW, I did not state that "no one could have imagined such a large disaster". I said it was unprecendented and it was. In fact, this type of disaster hsa been envisioned for years. Local officials dropped the ball in not planning for a predictable outcome.

[Afd063]

We are doing our best to get things rolling here in North Carolina. We have spoken with the Director of Emergency Management for Mississippi. He is as upset at what isn't happening as we are. He has stated that they are in dire need of equipment and trained personnel, paid or volunteer. We are attempting to contact our Governors office and see how we can bypass the federal level and go state to state. I may be posting information here as soon as we find out something as to what we need to do to make our resources known. The Director from Mississippi said that the available resources needed to be listed with emac and once they are listed he would request them. It is time that we forget about making sure that everyone has the reimbursements covered and go save some lives!!!

[nnjfire]

We are doing our best to get things rolling here in North Carolina. We have spoken with the Director of Emergency Management for Mississippi. He is as upset at what isn't happening as we are. He has stated that they are in dire need of equipment and trained personnel, paid or volunteer. We are attempting to contact our Governors office and see how we can bypass the federal level and go state to state. I may be posting information here as soon as we find out something as to what we need to do to make our resources known. The Director from Mississippi said that the available resources needed to be listed with emac and once they are listed he would request them. It is time that we forget about making sure that everyone has the reimbursements covered and go save some lives!!!

ive been on the phone with mississippi search and rescue twice. I was told when they need me they will call. sadly, the way things are going...i dont expect a call. i agree. this is bull**** there are innocent lives that NEED medical attention. this is horrible

[IACOJRev]

As I have been flipping the channels on my TV watching news coverage from a variety of broadcasters in a number of areas, I have found a common theme among the victims' comments... "Where is the RED CROSS?"

Of course, we all know where the Red Cross is: they are out doing what they they do best -- holding fundraisers and news conferences touting how wonderful they are.

Watch the news closely... those aren't red cross trucks you see in the background with the victims crowding around... it's the Salvation Army quietly going about their work to serve the people in need.

[Afd063]

We were able to make contact with our Lt. Governors office. They put us in touch with EMAC or Emergency Management Assistance Compact. They are the funnel for all of the resources. We are currently trying to get the exact details of how you can make your resources known and get them into the system. We can only hope that we are on our way to getting help to everyone. I will keep you posted as I learn new information.

[ihorowitz]

Does anyone know where we are in the 1st wave of callouts and when we can expect the 2nd wave to begin. This is killing me sitting around and waiting for this to happen. "Magnificent" my a**

[BHFF22]

Can you please direct me to the section in the National Response Plan where it says that the State has no responsibility in the response to a natural disaster.

BTW, I did not state that "no one could have imagined such a large disaster". I said it was unprecendented and it was. In fact, this type of disaster hsa been envisioned for years. Local officials dropped the ball in not planning for a predictable outcome.

I understand that the State of Louisiana is responcible, what recources does Louisiana have that they already have not commited? how could you possibly beleive that the State of Louisiana could possibly deal with destruction which compares with a atomic bomb?

[cozmosis]

"FEMA Director Michael Brown told CNN's Wolf Blitzer Thursday evening that "considering the dire circumstances that we have in New Orleans, virtually a city that has been destroyed, things are going relatively well."

"Yet, back in Washington, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told CNN Thursday that he believes he thinks FEMA and other federal agencies have done a "magnificent job" under difficult circumstances to deal with the unprecedented disaster, citing their "courage" and "ingenuity."

People who run their mouth without a clue can go to hell. I'm with the mayor of New Orleans... We need a moratorium on press conferences. I'm tired of the gosh-danged photo opportunities where people spew BS.

When the president landed this morning, the networks showed him being "briefed" by responders. That whole thing was staged for TV -- coast guard helicopter in background & president with his sleeves symbolically rolled up. Regardless of politics... it seems that everyone wants to be on TV saying how things are going instead of doing anything. It makes me sick.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I understand that the State of Louisiana is responcible, what recources does Louisiana have that they already have not commited? how could you possibly beleive that the State of Louisiana could possibly deal with destruction which compares with a atomic bomb?

Do you mean that no one in Louisiana could not have imagined a disaster this bad? People predicted this for years. There is no possibility that all of LA assets were destroyed. From what I have read and i can see, LA OEM has done nothing but bitch and moan. They may not have been able to do what FEMA will do, but doing absolutely nothing is unacceptable.

[lvwrench]

FEMA shmeema and the same goes for the rest of the government idiots. There is nothing wrong with the fire/police and other concerned citizens and medical people trying to help. I agree that the whole thing is a cluster fu**. In my old Nam unit we had the saying was either lead, follow or get the he** out of the way. Here's another fine mess you got me into George.

[blueeighty88]

I thought President Carter did away with Civil Defense and created Emergency Management

EMA's began to appear in the 60's, early 70's. But many areas still used the term "Civil Defense" into the 90's. In fact I think some still do, rural areas, Island states and territories. When Civil Defense was mentioned, it reminded people of the Cold War, panic, etc.. True, though, it was abolished as a federal office and was made secondary to FEMA in 1979.

[neiowa]

What did LA and NO do with their share of DHS grant $ over the last 3 years? Give the most corrupt 3rd world political "system" in the US not hard to imagine.

The Feds were are not in charge of running LA or NO on Aug28th. The failure to prepare and evacuate the area and city are on the heads of their incompetent mayor and governor. The price of corruption and mediocracy is high.

As you prepare for what has got to be the inevitable call from FEMA/DHS (if they every figure out what is going on). US Forestry has decreed that any FEPP equipment (the military surplus equipment your dept may have received thru your state forester) can not be taken. Might lose accountability.

Americans dieing and in pain and can not utilise federally owned, taxpayer finance, milspec equipment in a "war zone". Leave it in the shed in Iowa. What possible use are 6x6 trucks, water transport and storage equipment, generator sets etc in Ms? I get this direct from the Iowa Forester. BEANCOUNTERS

I already called my congressman and senator. Standing by with Type 6 4x4 600gal, 200kw diesel genset, water storage tanks etc (all FEPP).

[heavyduty]

I have a question. How come the US government will not get off their high horses and call for help from other countries. I am a Canadian and I know that if asked we would have troops there in a matter of days, as well there are thousands of rescue workers that could be sent there.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I have a question. How come the US government will not get off their high horses and call for help from other countries. I am a Canadian and I know that if asked we would have troops there in a matter of days, as well there are thousands of rescue workers that could be sent there.

Maybe it is because your government is openly hostile to the President.

Maybe it is because we have our own military that is more than capable of handling this situation and, once they are mobilized and deployed they will prove that.

Maybe it is because we have tens of thousands of rescue workers who are more than capable of handling this situation. Once the situation is stabilized, they will be in there and they will show why they are the best.

Maybe its because we don't want to be lectured to by some little snip who doesn't realize that his country's national security essentially depends on the US.

You are doing a huge injustice to the many Canadians who post on here.

[neiowa]

Don't take it personally. FEMA/DHS has not even figured what help (or that) they need from the 10000 fire depts in the US.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Don't take it personally. FEMA/DHS has not even figured what help (or that) they need from the 10000 fire depts in the US.

Do you suppose that might be because they cannot get into the areas safely to make that assessment? They're shooting at the cops and at rescue helicopters. Do you suppose they are going to give a pass to the dude in the blue and yellow FEMA jacket?

[BHFF22]

Do you mean that no one in Louisiana could not have imagined a disaster this bad? People predicted this for years. There is no possibility that all of LA assets were destroyed. From what I have read and i can see, LA OEM has done nothing but bitch and moan. They may not have been able to do what FEMA will do, but doing absolutely nothing is unacceptable.

OK, I asked you, what assets does Louisiana have that they have not deployed? from what I understand this storm affected most of the State. for example tell me how many helicopters does that State have? as usual FEMA and the Federal Govt was caught with there pants down. They could have and should have prepositioned assets before the storm struck. The predictions last week where saying if New Orleans got hit by the northeast quadrent of this storm damage would have been even worse. It dosent take a rocket scientist to realize what was coming last week.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

OK, I asked you, what assets does Louisiana have that they have not deployed? from what I understand this storm affected most of the State. for example tell me how many helicopters does that State have? as usual FEMA and the Federal Govt was caught with there pants down. They could have and should have prepositioned assets before the storm struck. The predictions last week where saying if New Orleans got hit by the northeast quadrent of this storm damage would have been even worse. It dosent take a rocket scientist to realize what was coming last week.

First of all, you know as well as I do that no agency publicly posts their assets. I think it is safe to assume that they have assets that were based in other areas besides the Gulf Coast.

How do you interpret what has happened down there as "...FEMA and the Federal Govt was caught with there pants down"? They did preposition assets. Where did you want them prepositioned? On Bourbon Street? That would have been a good idea. Where did you think they got those orange helicopters from, Avis?

The fact remains is that the primary responsibility for disaster preparedness lies at the local level. If the capabilities of the local jurisdiction are overwhlemed, they can request assistance from the state. If their capabilities are exceeded, they request assistance from FEMA. It is completely unrealistic for anyone to expect an instantaneous reponse from FEMA. It is a local responsibility first.

The other fact remains that the response was delayed by the level of lawlessness and anarchy that was going on. You cannot take this out of the equation.

FEMA cannot move on their own. According to the Federal Response Plan, certain criteria have to be met. When all is said and done, history will show that the ultimate failure that caused this calamity is at the State level.

[oldman21220]

The mayor didn't want a moratorium on press conferences when he was making the rounds multiple times. Have you heard him explain the plan that the city had in place to evacuate those who were unable to self evacuate? Of course not and you never will, nor will anyone demand that he do so.

[lvwrench]

George Wendt: I might agree that the State and for that fact the local leaders could or should have asked for help right off the get go. However, I have seen the FEMA manuals here for Las Vegas and it clearly gives the feds the right to step in without the States approval and declare Marshall Law and take over. Are you living in a dream world that figures the feds will take care of you? Its a great country that is supposed to be by the people, for the people and of the people. When you can't get decent timelined guidance and nobody seems to be in charge then those with the training and expertise to provide help should be allowed forward.