FEMA and disasters

[nadinbrzezinski]

look folks, don't fall for it. In any disaster of the scope we are seeing right now, or NOLA, you need something like FEMA

The role of FEMA is not to run camps, but to run a logistics chain to get things that are needed from all points to the disaster zone and to coordinate relief operations by all levels of government

Hell, they used to do this exceedingly well and became a MODEL for OTHER countries. In fact, their operations have been studied by Civil Defense Operations around the world.

What has happened in the last seven years is by design. It is mean to convince you that you do not matter, and that you cannot trust the government. FEMA, as it was designed and it used to work, is antithetical to Disaster Capitalism, why it has been allowed to rot and have people die, due to their inaction

One of the things we NEED to do as a priority, is to get FEMA back to what it is supposed to be. This also means get back that LOGISTICS chain back in place. In a disaster situation you need people from all over the country and relief supplies, and at times even international aid. You need AN ORGANIZATION to coordinate.

That, in essence, is the role of FEMA in an ideal world, when it works.

[yourout]

1. FEMA under Bushco IS a disaster.

It's operating just like they want it to.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Exactly, this is by design

disaster capitalism cannot allow for good government and helping those who need it

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. kick

[jwirr]

4. *ss came into office determined to destroy as much of our government

as he could and in that he has been very successful. If the repubs had their way everything in this nation would be privatized and FOR PROFIT.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. x'actly

and people need to stop falling for it. We need to demand that these organizations go back to what they were, service organizations

Whether it is your local police or FEMA

And yes, that includes paying for it

[jwirr]

10. When it comes to paying for it - we will either way and we should

remember that the words "for profit" mean just what they say. Government run agencies are not "for profit" so they should be cheaper if run properly.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. They are cheaper when run properly

[alfredo]

6. When all the water from the mid west reaches New Orleans, those repaired

levees best work. If not, FEMA better do their job. When I say "their job" I mean the job FEMA was supposed to do before bush and cheney fucked it up.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. They should be on the job right now

this is at best a Level three disaster, at worst, we need international aide already

Lord, I am having flashbacks!

And not the good kind

How are you doing by the way?

:hi:

[alfredo]

14. I feel for those down south. All they can do is wait for the wall of water

to come down the river.

I don't think FEMA gives a shit for the Mississippi Delta people, too many vote Democratic.

I'm doing fine. How's your writing?

[crickets]

8. You nailed it.

FEMA, as it was designed and it used to work, is antithetical to Disaster Capitalism, why it has been allowed to rot and have people die, due to their inaction.

Spot on. This needs to be fixed, pronto. If we can just get through an unstolen election...

Poor Obama. His "high priority" list is going to be a mile long.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I'll volunteer to help on this

once he wins the election...

And I have some experience in disaster management. Not enough to run the agency... not anything like that. Just to give them a kick in the pants, to political appointees. I hope there are enough career people to rebuild, but with global warming... we will need them.

[CoffeeCat]

12. Nadinbrzezinski...look at what Chertoff said....

You might find this interesting. I've posted about this in other threads.

There is a story on KCCI.com that has Michael Chertoff saying these things, "Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the federal government is on top of its game in responding to the massive flooding in the Midwest."

and also, "A day after visiting the flooded region, Chertoff said Friday that the movement of federal assistance, from water to food to coordination with local officials, was much quicker than after Katrina."

http://www.kcci.com/news/16604468/detail.html

I'm in Des Moines, and I haven't seen or read about any FEMA assistance. That doesn't mean that it hasn't
happened. However, if FEMA had officials here, that would be a big deal and would be reported on, I would think.
One of the top CR stories right now is how Bruce Braley has asked FEMA for housing for displaced flood victims.

I obviously don't see or hear every detail of these flood stories. I might have missed something.

I just find it odd that Chertoff would give FEMA so much credit, when it's been Iowans who have been
pulling together and doing the heavy lifting. There was a story in CR about 600 people showing up to
sandbag at Mercy Hospital--when a local television station put the call out for volunteers. I know the
police and other local officials are all over the news and doing a great job. Some National Guard is in
CR, and I have talked with some National Guard in Des Moines, who are guarding the areas of Saylorville,
the lake/dam that is dumping water into the Des Moines river.

After reading about how BushCo "staged" heavy equipment in the NOLA waters, and then packed it up when Bush
flew back to DC--I am skeptical about how much this agency really wants to help people.

I see FEMA taking credit for the work that the locals have done, but again--I might have missed
something.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Last year they did the same thing in San Diego

Last year we also had mexican firefighters and Mexican Red Cross personnel in the field...

If you ask FEMA or Homeland Security that never happened

Oh and FEMA got here, yes, indeed about three days late

This is not the FEMA that we studied, trust me

If they were doing their job, you'd have water purification units already deployed as well as tents for mid term housing.

[windoe]

15. Luckily the designs and procedures are still in place-

now we have to find the staff to follow through. Like much of the government, it's time for an overhaul!