Posted on 09/06/2005 5:56:44 PM PDT by bobsunshine
WASHINGTON - The government's disaster chief waited until hours after Hurricane Katrina had already struck the Gulf Coast before asking his boss to dispatch 1,000 Homeland Security employees to the region - and gave them two days to arrive, according to internal documents.
Michael Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sought the approval from Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff roughly five hours after Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29. Brown said that among duties of these employees was to "convey a positive image" about the government's response for victims.
Before then, FEMA had positioned smaller rescue and communications teams across the Gulf Coast. But officials acknowledged Tuesday the first department-wide appeal for help came only as the storm raged. Brown's memo to Chertoff described Katrina as "this near catastrophic event" but otherwise lacked any urgent language. The memo politely ended, "Thank you for your consideration in helping us to meet our responsibilities."
The initial responses of the government and Brown came under escalating criticism as the breadth of destruction and death grew. President Bush and Congress on Tuesday pledged separate investigations into the federal response to Katrina. "Governments at all levels failed," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said Brown had positioned front-line rescue teams and Coast Guard helicopters before the storm. Brown's memo on Aug. 29 aimed to assemble the necessary federal work force to support the rescues, establish communications and coordinate with victims and community groups, Knocke said.
Instead of rescuing people or recovering bodies, these employees would focus on helping victims find the help they needed, he said.
'Time for Blame'
"There will be plenty of time to assess what worked and what didn't work," Knocke said. "Clearly there will be time for blame to be assigned and to learn from some of the successful efforts."
Brown's memo told employees that among their duties, they would be expected to "convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public."
"FEMA response and recovery operations are a top priority of the department and as we know, one of yours," Brown wrote Chertoff. He proposed sending 1,000 Homeland Security Department employees within 48 hours and 2,000 within seven days.
Knocke said the 48-hour period suggested for the Homeland employees was to ensure they had adequate training. "They were training to help the life-savers," Knocke said.
Employees required a supervisor's approval and at least 24 hours of disaster training in Maryland, Florida or Georgia. "You must be physically able to work in a disaster area without refrigeration for medications and have the ability to work in the outdoors all day," Brown wrote.
The same day Brown wrote Chertoff, Brown also urged local fire and rescue departments outside Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi not to send trucks or emergency workers into disaster areas without an explicit request for help from state or local governments. Brown said it was vital to coordinate fire and rescue efforts.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said Tuesday that Brown should step down.
After a senators-only briefing by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other Cabinet members, Sen. Charles E. Schumer said lawmakers weren't getting their questions answered.
"What people up there want to know, Democrats and Republicans, is what is the challenge ahead, how are you handling that and what did you do wrong in the past," said Schumer, D-N.Y.
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, said the administration is "getting a bad rap" for the emergency response.
"This is the largest disaster in the history of the United States, over an area twice the size of Europe," Stevens said. "People have to understand this is a big, big problem."
Meanwhile, the airline industry said the government's request for help evacuating storm victims didn't come until late Thursday afternoon. The president of the Air Transport Association, James May, said the Homeland Security Department called then to ask if the group could participate in an airlift for refugees.
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In fairness you did not.
"I just said that Brown was qualified. Look at his biography on the FEMA website. He was more than just a horse show guy. What he has done in this particular disaster is open for debate. Get off this horse before you fall."
Debate on what Brown did or not do is what people are questioning. The bottom line is I'll go along with the President's final verdict on Brown. If he remains at FEMA the President will be watching closely and that's good enough for me.
"Also, there's no FEMA contract with the States"
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/
Here is the state Homeland website - it is CLOSELY coordinated with the Federal Homeland including FEMA - no excuse for the one hand not knowing what the other is doing.
He is probably right on the red tape issue, however after the horror of 9-11, in part due to the lack of of communication between top level federal national security agencies (thanks to Clinton's Justice Department) Homeland was and still is required since the enemy remains out there.
One solution which may have stopped the severe flooding in New Orleans was discussed by the developing engineer on TV. His preventive measure was to build a 25 feet high flood wall, in place of the levees, which was rejected by city & state officials. I am not sure where FEMA stood on this issue.
"in part due to the lack of of communication between top level federal national security agencies (thanks to Clinton's Justice Department) Homeland was and still is required since the enemy remains out there."
Right - thus my point that we can't afford the Chertoffian lapses. Ossama won't give us 4 days of warning and then wait 5 days for Homeland to realize there is a problem.
"His preventive measure was to build a 25 feet high flood wall, in place of the levees"
The canals are only for drainage and I am not sure why they dont use large pipes instead of open lagoons that can breech and flood into the occupied areas.
At the least, have locks that can close in cas a canal breeches (don't forget the Mississippi River levees never had a problem).
That's true. We also know up to the present numerous brutal al-Qaida related terrorist attacks have been prevented thanks to various agencies. Our nation's borders must be secured, although now it's like locking the gates after the enemy has managed to sneak in with other illegal aliens.
It's a good thing for the country the two hurricanes on this full disk image are far out in the Atlantic or there would be two more storm inflicted nightmares.
My head hurts.
Thanks for the link! Interesting, isn't it?
I can't wait for the after action report on this one. If it's done honestly, that is.
If you think a hurricane is a problem, a flash flood of jack booted thugs with no limitations on their power and automatic weapons are far worse.
Think of FEMA and SWAT combining...
That is the "premptive police action" in case of a storm that a lot of liberals are calling for.
So what? Because he properly sued some people and won. But the association didn't like the hefty legal bills.
What bio or resume is complete without listing your highest-paid and longest term of employment and your most recent job?
There are two basic types of resumes/bios: a chronological one, which would include your above hissy fit, and one tailored toward relevant experience, which would not.
It may fall later in this thread (still reading), but I did see on FNC yesterday evening that President Bush publicly proclaimed full confidence in FEMA Director Mike Brown. As he should.
Don't know about the cots, but I do know there was food and water in the Superdome before the storm hit.
Although I question her judgment, I imagine she suspects you're a coward.
Yes, and you disagree with the ones that deal with facts and know a few basic things about FEMA and emergency management.
Yes, more barbs, son.
Strong opinions backed up by facts. It's really an amazing concept. You should try it.
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