Posted on 09/04/2005 7:22:25 PM PDT by chet_in_ny
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday that the federal government's handling of Hurricane Katrina has been "inadequate," and said more aid, including police officers and firefighters, was en route to Louisiana.
The Republican mayor, who usually treads carefully when it comes to commenting on the Bush administration, told reporters that the president himself was aware of the government's failings.
"It would appear, and I think the president acknowledged, that the federal government's response has been inadequate," Bloomberg told reporters at City Hall.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said 150 police officers, plus support vehicles, were to leave for the region Monday, in addition to 172 officers sent on Saturday. The mayor said some police officers will be federalized, which gives them the same powers as local authorities "to provide much needed law enforcement to keep people safe in and around New Orleans."
Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sunday requested 300 New York firefighters. They were to leave Monday to help fight fires and search for survivors. He said hundreds of firefighters had already volunteered before they were asked.
"We received many inquiries from our people about what they could do and could they volunteer," Scoppetta said.
The new wave of rescue workers joins an urban search and rescue team of police, firefighters and city emergency personnel already sent to the South, plus three Fire Department chiefs highly trained in disaster management.
Transit workers and buses were also dispatched to help move survivors from New Orleans to Dallas and Little Rock, Ark.
Bloomberg, who was elected to his first term less than two months after the Sept. 11 attack as fires still raged in the World Trade Center ruins, said New York officials have much to offer — not only in aid, but also experience.
"Some things they probably haven't thought about, but they're things that we know you might need," he said.
One lesson New York has learned, he said, is that officials should be tending to victims at the same time as they are collecting information about the disaster, and not afterward. Those who respond to disasters should be well-trained and able to respond immediately based on what they encounter, he said.
Bloomberg said he has reached out to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, but has not been able to get in touch. He did speak with Mayor Bill White of Houston, where thousands of refugees are being sent.
Bloomberg said he is confident in New York City's disaster preparedness because of "highly motivated, highly skilled people that cooperate, that practice and that have the communications and tranportation facilities that they will need."
"New York's level of sophistication in terms of planning and the ability to deal with crises I think is excellent, and we're always trying to make it better."
Well, join my conservative friends who are voting for Ognibene, thus helping to give the city back to the Dems.
2500 coming to Washington. I know where they will put them too.
I left nyc years ago. Can't stand it. I now refer to Las Vegas, my adopted hometown, as my 'hometown.' I try and wipe as much of my nyc legacy away, truth be told.
It wasn't the right city for you.
Yep. I was born there, raised there, and lived there over 33 years. I did like it for a long while, but grew alienated from it. As it stands now, it's clearly not a good fit for me. You are right!
Thank you, that explains it, I suppose. It still seems that you are more likely to see rinos than dinos tho. I don't understand it.
susie
its Bloomberg in a landslide! this article doesn't seem too over the top to me, when you read the actual quotes. Bloomberg likely doesn't know anything about the specific details of the local and state response down there to even comment on it, he is just babbling here.
Word for the last few months of polls has been Bloomie by an overwhelming margin. My gut just says it will be Ferrer (though that could be that burrito I ate last night talking).
he would have to make some major mistakes at this point for Ferrer to win. there is going to be a run-off for the Dem nomination, Ferrer will not get it on the first ballot.
I'll keep my eye on this race!
huh???
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