TOPICS
TOPICS
FEMA chief says Louisiana getting special help on disaster plans
Federal Emergency Management Agency Director R. David Paulison said Tuesday that Louisiana is getting a larger share of federal resources than other areas as the agency tries to improve disaster planning in the state.
"In Louisiana, we're helping them out with evacuation plans and transportation plans," he said, adding "more than anywhere else."
Homeland Security Department and FEMA officials said they want state and local agencies to have the greatest presence when disasters strike. Representatives from both DHS and FEMA have indicated publicly that some states have weaknesses in response preparedness, but have not said publicly which ones.
DHS Undersecretary for Preparedness George Foresman, speaking at a House hearing earlier this year, said he is aware of states' individual abilities to respond to emergencies. But he told lawmakers that he would prefer to discuss specifics in a closed-door session and declined to answer a Government Executive reporter's question on the same matter.
Several FEMA sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, characterized Louisiana and Alabama as the worst-prepared states, and described Florida as the best organized. Some FEMA officials said Florida's relationship with Washington is stronger than any other state's.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush "has a direct line to the White House," one source noted.
The FEMA sources said the agency now is devoting a greater percentage of resources to Gulf Coast states in an effort to bring them up to Florida's preparedness level.
FEMA did not respond to requests for official comment on the agency's allocation of resources as of Tuesday afternoon. Paulison's comments came during a press conference at which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a change in the 2006 hurricane forecast. NOAA is scaling back its earlier predictions, which called for as many as six major hurricanes. NOAA officials said they now believe as few as three major hurricanes will develop this year.
Paulison said NOAA's prediction would have no bearing on FEMA's preparedness efforts, or the resources it allocates.
He told reporters he remains concerned that Americans' individual preparedness for hurricanes is lacking, and that warnings and evacuation orders are not taken seriously. He said nearly 70 percent of people in areas likely to be hit by hurricanes don't have emergency kits -- which typically include food, water and medical supplies -- and many ignore evacuation warnings.
"As we approach the hurricane season, our message remains the same," said Max Mayfield, director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center. "Be informed and be prepared."
COMMENTS
- In your article dated August 8, 2006 entitled "FEMA chief says Louisiana getting special help on disaster plans", you stated that several FEMA sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, characterized Louisiana and Alabama as the worst-prepared states, and described Florida as the best organized. For your information, when Governor Riley assumed office in January 2003, he did a national job search for an outstanding Emergency Management official. He found this individual in Bruce Baughman, a senior executive service official in FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Baughman had been "boots on the ground" in over 110 presidential declared disasters, including the Oklahoma bombing, World Trade Center, Pentagon bombing, etc. Numerous FEMA officials and contractors who had worked with us in the State EOC during disasters have told people that Alabama EMA personnel and county EMA directors are some of the best prepared and professional people they have ever worked with. If you had done additional interviews and better investigating as a reporter, you would have told accurate facts in this matter instead of printing a slanted story. You should also be advised that Bruce Baughman is the current president of the National Emergency Management Association which consists of all states and island nations. He has spent his entire life in Emergency Management and is sought out daily by reporters from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and governments overseas to give his viewpoints on Emergency Management. He has testified numerous times on the Hill with Senator Collins and her group, with U.S. Senators and Congressmen in Washington, D.C. on a continuous basis, and has provided guidance and insight on how to make Emergency Management a better agency to work with in the future. During his tenure, Mr. Baughman has hired a former defense coordinating officer as Director of Operations. He has also hired a former director of FEMA Region IV that held that job for 14 years. He has hired other staff members with outstanding leadership capabilities. It should be noted that Dave Paulison, Director of FEMA, has been to Alabama 4 times since March of this year and has met with Governor Riley and Mr. Baughman on several occasions. He has participated in hurricane exercises and stood before cameras and reporters and stated that Alabama was the best prepared state for natural disasters. It should also be noted that Mr. Paulison and Mr. Baughman worked together at FEMA Headquarters, have been friends for years, and constantly stay in contact with each other. Perry W. Martin Posted August 16, 2006 1:21 PM
