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Return to Article: New FEMA blueprint seeks to clarify emergency response roles

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  The NRF sounds good in theory...but, what about implementation and utilization of resources adept at managing many aspects associated with a disaster, natural or otherwise. Essentially, we want to preclude the haphazard events similar to Katrina from recurring as well as infighting between federal and state leaders. The objective and focus at any disaster is people, innocents surrounded by destruction, chaos and instability and any discord pervading or interfering with this should be alleviated at all costs.

  CAE Posted January 29, 2008 10:28 AM
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  The NRF is a worthwhile effort because short enough that even busy political appointees might skim. The problem is depth of skill, knowledge and training. Note this has never been tested in a major exercise like TOPOFF (the results of which are almost never made available publically). By its own terms is not effecitive for 60 days (march 23rd) and no one has been trained on it. Also DHS should make available a website with the comments filed electronically on the leaked draft and their responses to those comments or non-responses and reasons why. And of course the entire document is silent on the real reason federal response is often degraded, arguments over money. It is interesting that the 15 scenarios that it theoretically address lack a single one involving a regulated industry, or section of the economy such as energy. Why are these excluded when its obvious that without energy and power federal, state and local response is hindered. Truthfully, no federal units have the skills and knowledge to develop a response mechanism in these arenas so the public is left with a "we have to trust them" mechanizm. Perhaps the Presidential candidates will address this question!

  William R. Cumming Posted January 24, 2008 9:37 AM
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  I am wondering what was so wrong with the National Response Plan of 1999 and 2000 which was borne from Andrew? That plan handled the Northridge and Nisqually Quakes, the Midwest floods, Floyd and many other major events in a very integrated and comprehensive manner. It also strongly encouraged pre-disaster mitigation in programs like Project Impact. Oh yes, I remember what happened to them... the Bush Administration killed them and diverted the money away from FEMA and the first responders. Such a waste of critical time and efforts.

  nina ginocalo Posted January 24, 2008 4:03 AM
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  I truly hope that the govt. & FEMA get there act together before the next Katrina type disaster. I was embarrassed to be affiliated with the govt. after watching the incompetance,and shenanigans of Mike Brown, FEMA and company. It truly was the "keystone cops," meets Abbott and Costello!

  Tom Jones Posted January 23, 2008 6:30 PM
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  The biggest misconception with citizens and government entities is the different roles. While I understand why FEMA is clarifying the roles, there are sufficient publications on the FEMA website available to everyone that explain the various roles. Each individual should have their own copy of the Citizen's book on how to prepare for emergencies..just like a fire evacuation plan..copies of important documents and what each family member does in case something happens.

  Large Government entities typically have a well developed and practiced plan in place. The smaller city and county entities are the ones with conflict on who does what and when and should avoid the "power" struggles of who is in command during an emergency. There is no secret to the steps to take regarding requesting help from FEMA...just follow the established procedures. Hopefully everyone, citizens and government entities, will take emergency preparedness seriously and make their plan and keep it current.

  Elana Posted January 23, 2008 5:23 PM