FEMA changed the language of it role in managing disasters

[The White Tree]

I wanted to post this in a new thread. I was looking at past FEMA press release related to a thread on Jeb Bush's comments about not blaming FEMA for poor response.

I found some FEMA press releases from Hurricane Frances, the second hurricane to hit Florida last year. I was comparing the release last year to press releases about Katrina and discover that FEMA at some point (and I'm not saying it was recently but I'd be curious to know when) changed the disclosure message about who they were that was attached to the bottom of their Press releases.

Here is the disclosure message at the bottom of the releases from last year (9/4/2004):

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

<http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=13745 >

Here is the newly worded disclosure on a Press Release from 9/3/2005:

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

<http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18626>

Notice the changes: From leading the effort to prepare the nation to just preparing the nation. From effectively managing federal response to just managing it. From initiating proactive mitigation activities to just initiating mitigation activities.

This puts in my mind the frame of reference of a resume. When you create one, you are advised to put in language that conveys a sense of action and initiative. Words like lead, proactive and effective are good in a resume.

I find it troubling that someone took the time in the last year to revise this statement and take these out. It is akin to dumbing down your resume because you don't feel you can handle or want to handle the job which you might get.

Any thoughts?

[shamrock]

1. Suggestion

May I suggest that from now on we call Fema "Department of Homeland Security". Most people don't make the connection and think that we are still protected from terrorist attacks by Homeland Security. Maybe that would get more people 'concerned' about their own safety? Just a thought.

[redqueen]

2. Yes, dropping the "proactive" is especially troubling...

considering the response to Katrina.

[stillcool]

3. privatizing all government services...

This was our first peak into what became of FEMA after 9/11. I think they gutted it and appointed helpful friends to oversee the flow of money re-direction or the contracting out of work that never manages to get done.

[melnjones]

4. look here...

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home2.jsp

"In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the Department of Homeland Security will assume primary responsibility on March 1st for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared for any situation. This will entail providing a coordinated, comprehensive federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. The new Department will also prioritize the important issue of citizen preparedness. Educating America's families on how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and tips for citizens on how to respond in a crisis will be given special attention at DHS."

[Spazito]

5. It doesn't matter what is in FEMA's press release, it is not a legal

document whereas the National Response Plan is. The plan states:

When an incident or potential incident is of such severity, magnitude, and/or complexity that it is considered an Incident of National Significance, the Secretary of Homeland Security initiates actions to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the incident." (NHP, 15)

Here is a link to the thread on the National Response Plan

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4668155