[EBH]

The Federal Response Plan (FRP) establishes a process and structure for the systematic, coordinated, and effective delivery of Federal assistance to address the consequences of any major disaster or emergency declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 5121, et seq.). taken from the FRP I,A,pg. 1.

The plan clearly indicates the Stafford Act takes lead control and the FRP is not acted on until the provisions of the Stafford Act are met. There is no FRP that removes the authorities of the state in a time of disaster or crisis. The FRP is a coordination between 27 Federal Agencies and has nothing to do with coordination with the state.

Appendix D-Overview of a Disaster Operation D-3, the diagram there is a nice graphic presentation of how or when the FRP is implemented. Nothing about the FRP supercedes any of the current Emergency Response Standards.

Although I do appreciate the comment that was made, as it is a good representation of what types of questions and misinterpretations that will be asked by the congress critters, many of whom are not trained in Emergency Response or any type of command and control operations. This all needs to be watched very closely, because we may very well see the erosion of States Rights as the result of this horrible catastrophe. We need to be sure this does not happen because of the poor leadership of the few, but we should make sure going forward that public officials receive extensive training once elected to office with an annual certification requirement, much like the rest of us in the emergency response business.

[easonc52]

Wow. FNC saying President Bush to nominate Roberts for Chief Justice.

[Miss Marple]

I think that is an EXCELLENT suggestion...a mandatory traning session for all governors and mayors of cities over 2500 people. Something like that might have helped Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin, who have had to rely on the advice of advisors, some of whom are acting at cross purposes.

[easonc52]

We need to be sure this does not happen because of the poor leadership of the few, but we should make sure going forward that public officials receive extensive training once elected to office with an annual certification requirement, much like the rest of us in the emergency response business.

If they don't personally have the knowledge, they need to at least be capable of delegating appropriately.

[lugsoul]

"- Standard procedures regarding requests for assistance may be expedited or, under extreme circumstances, suspended in the immediate aftermath of an event of catastrophic magnitude."

See my #730.

[Rokke]

EBH, thanks for the response. Your understanding matches mine.

Lugsoul, you highlighted the following
- Standard procedures regarding requests for assistance may be expedited or, under extreme circumstances, suspended in the immediate aftermath of an event of catastrophic magnitude.
Note that this refers to "standard procedures regarding requests". It does not give the Federal Government the authority to ignore the Governor and take over control of all operations. In this case (New Orleans), the Federal Government remained in direct contact and coordination with state and local officials from the Governor on down to the police chief. Therefore, despite the the hysteria presented by the press concerning the relief effort in New Orleans, this was not an example of an "extreme circumstance". As stated by one of the Generals currently running Guard operations there...(I paraphrase)"When there is even a single New Orleans police officer on the scene we are subordinate to him". This was not an event (like a nuclear or biological attack) that eliminated the State government. It was simply a horribly executed response plan by a completely inept state and local government.