Based upon a quick read and given current information, listed below are some preliminary conslusions:
CFR TITLE 44 VOL 1 CHAP 1 PARTS 0-399.pdf
Mitigate - To lessen in force or intensity
1] Once Katrina hit New Orleans with a category 5 hurricane breaching levees only designed to withstand a category 3 or below assault, FEMA's response was better than could reasonably be expected in dealing with a disaster of this magnitude in an area that was woefully unprepared, largely through their own well known deficiencies.
Where FEMA fell short, in my opinion, was in not paying due diligence to:
1] set regulatory priorites to maximize the net benefits to society, taking into account the local entities (given their known deficiencies) (PART 1 SUBPART A PARA 1.4 (5).
2] failure to adequately implement the provisions of the Preparedness, Training, and Exercises Directorate (PART 1 SUBPART A PARA 2.42 (1-5).
The operational downgrading of this section of their legal mission probaly preceded Mike Brown's arrival at FEMA by several decades and further, my guess would be that he was ordered to maintain the status quo before being hired.
If I might add parenthetically, I think it is unforgiveable the way that the Liberal Democrats have used this tragedy for base political purposes.
"1] set regulatory priorites to maximize the net benefits to society, taking into account the local entities (given their known deficiencies) (PART 1 SUBPART A PARA 1.4 (5)."
There's no evidence that FEMA set their priorities incorrectly. They did a good job of making sure NO had an evecuation plan. They helped fund all the appropriate sutdies.
NO failed to use their evacuation plan to get people out. NO failed to heed the warnings the studies produced, and spend both thier tax dollars and federal funds on other projects.
FEMA doesn't have the authority to force NO to do the right thing, nor do they have the manpower to make sure the evacuation plan is carried out. The manpower that is brought in to handle such major emergencies is the National Guard, and they're under control of the governor.
"2] failure to adequately implement the provisions of the Preparedness, Training, and Exercises Directorate (PART 1 SUBPART A PARA 2.42 (1-5)."
FEMA did preparedness training. However, the local civil servants didn't follow that training and do their jobs.
FEMA helps local governments prepare. They can't force them to really do anything. They aren't responsible for the extreme negligence on the part of the local government.