New Orleans Emergency Operations Chief Blasts FEMA

WSAV-TV ^ | Thursday, September 1ST, 2005 | Associated Press.

[M. Espinola]

FEMA is getting an earful from the man heading New Orleans' emergency operations.

Terry Ebbert says the federal agency's response to Katrina is "a national disgrace."

Ebbert says FEMA has been in the city for three days, but he says that has yet to result in any command and control. He says Mayor Ray Nagin has been "pushing and asking, but we're not getting any supplies."

The emergency chief says the evacuation of thousands from New Orleans to Texas has been "almost entirely" a Louisiana operation -- saying he hasn't seen "a single FEMA guy."

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"After 9-11 the American public was almost conditioned into believing further national catastrophes would bring forth another stabilizing factor such as Rudy, and so far, with this Katrina nightmare the next Rudy has not emerged."

We must take into account that this is a city and state firmly in the grasp of Democrats for as long as any in the nation, and with a notorious reputation rivaled only by the Chicago "Democratic Machine".

[M. Espinola]

Thanks for posting that alarming history. Note this again. "Although the building has its own generators, they would not provide lights or air conditioning for the entire area if electricity went out. Nor would pumps providing water to second-level bathrooms function."

Almost one year to the date of that news story. Incredible. "The office of Emergency Preparedness and the city decided that the Dome would not be operated as a shelter," he said. "That means we are not equipped as one."

With a city under sea level potentially getting slammed by Gulf centered hurricanes lacking meaningful protection if a monster storm came alone - which she did, with a vengeance.

The Jazz capitol of the world is singing the Blues.

[Just Lori]

He says Mayor Ray Nagin has been "pushing and asking, but we're not getting any supplies."


Helicopters trying to bring in supplies and rescue people are getting shot at.

[M. Espinola]

"He says Mayor Ray Nagin has been "pushing and asking, but we're not getting any supplies." Helicopters trying to bring in supplies and rescue people are getting shot at."

There is more than even blame to go around for the city, state and feds, including cops firing over the heads of elderly tourists, preventing these people from leaving - what gives?

Here are some other news items & photos:

Katrina rescuers improvise communications

Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina fill the streets of New Orleans September 1, 2005.

A group of tourists wait to be evacuated from a hotel in New Orleans. Frightened Japanese, European and American tourists told how police fired over their heads to end their attempt to leave New Orleans. Stranded since Hurricane Katrina hit the city, the 200 tourists were thrown out of their hotel on the morning of September 1st and said they were confronted by police as they attempted to get to buses to take them to safety(AFP/Robert Sullivan)

New Orleans Gets More Troops to Stop Katrina Looting (Update2)

Comedian Jerry Lewis speaks during an interview in Beverly Hills, Calif., Thursday, September 1st, 2005. The disaster brought to the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina sparked an outpouring of donations by everyone from major corporations to everyday Americans. Some organizations that are dependent upon donations but whose mission is not wide-scale humanitarian relief could find themselves hardpressed to compete for donors' largesse. This week, Lewis said his annual Labor Day fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association would include celebrity appeals for hurricane relief, and also will donate $1 million to help victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, he said. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Let's hope and pray another hurricane is not already on the way just like Katrina.

[MarMema]

The NO emergency chief waits for FEMA to set up command and control and provide equipment.

Incredible, isn't it?

[M. Espinola]

"We must take into account that this is a city and state firmly in the grasp of Democrats for as long as any in the nation, and with a notorious reputation rivaled only by the Chicago "Democratic Machine".

True and they love putting gigantic parties on every year, but had not prepared for mega-destructive weather realities of the Gulf of Mexico.

[M. Espinola]

The blame on this one is equal across the board.

The charities like the Salvation Army, Red Cross & many others civic minded assistance groups are there doing the best they can under these horrific circumstances. Nurses & doctors working around the clock saving lives.

[Howlin]

Ebbert, 60, has been directing the city's new Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety since his appointment by Mayor Ray Nagin on Feb. 11. A highly decorated war hero and the former executive director of the nonprofit New Orleans Police Foundation, Ebbert has been given major powers and responsibilities as an executive assistant to the mayor. His duties are commensurate with his $114,676 annual salary.

Ebbert is charged with coordinating the city's terrorism response capabilities and obtaining federal and state funds for homeland security. He also will oversee the police and fire departments, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and city Emergency Medical Services, and the 911 Center or Orleans Parish Communications District.

His duties extend beyond a crisis or special events such as Mardi Gras. Ebbert has responsibility for the daily operations and planning of all those departments as well as the management of their budgets, Nagin told Gambit Weekly last week, after presenting his plan to re-organize city government to the City Council. "Mr. Ebbert is responsible for all matters related to public safety," the mayor said.

[MarMema]

Loser. Look at that salary.

[Howlin]

Am I wrong, or does CIVIL UNREST fall under HIS job description.

[MarMema]

He's right in there with the rest of the local "leaders".
Pulling in that paycheck....doing nothing.

[MarMema]

Yes, civil unrest as well.

[M. Espinola]

"This should be a wake up call. This Nation is not prepared!!! Whether natural disaster or major terrorist attack."

Precisely!

You know who else is absorbing every bit of this chaos - America's Muhammadan terrorist enemies. Iran is probably thinking they have us over two barrels, a massive natural disaster has grasped the 'infidels', which they hope shall take the heat of their nuclear weapons program, and now that crude oil is heading off the trending pricing charts, Iran & other OPEC rouge states will be fueling even more billions for jihadic terrorism, coupled bigger & powerful nukes for Tehran's dishrag headed tyrants!

It mind boggling, we are hit with beyond belief destruction because of a killer hurricane, and our Islamic enemies make fortunes as a result. Something is very wrong with this picture.

[MarMema]

You know who else is absorbing every bit of this chaos - America's Muhammadan terrorist enemies

I have been saying that I know they are loving it. But we will show them we are better than they think.

[kms61]

Folks.

You're absolutely right about the city and state. But that doesn't obscure the fact that FEMA and Homeland Security are totally unprepared for this. Chertoff, the head of Homeland Security is out of the loop. He was interviewed on the radio and claimed to be unaware of the disaster within a disaster at the convention center. He tried to deny it was going on until the host called in a reporter who had been an eyewitness. The FEMA guy Michael Brown was on Nightline tonight and looked absolutely ashen.

Yes, the state dropped the ball--MOST of the blood is on Blanco's hands, much more than Nagin, who would have done much better if he'd had any support at all from the state.

BUT, make no mistake, it's a Federal problem now, and they are not coping...or at least haven't been up to this point. That's just the way it is, whether you believe it or not.

I am, thank God, not in the zone, and all of my family is safe, but I have many, many friends from the area who are now homeless. Some don't know where their We have hundreds of refugees in my small town, with more coming, and can't even get the Red Cross to come evaluate our shelters so they'll qualify us for their assistance. The state has commandeered our school buses to evacuate people to Houston or wherever.

It's bad, bad, bad. And if you're looking for somebody to blame, take your pick, because they're ALL guilty, top to bottom. We are desperate here, and I don't know if the rest of the country understands the full extent of this, or cares.

[kenth]

You can almost hear the thinking: "They knew we hadn't planned on doing a damned thing. Now look at the mess they got us in."

[M. Espinola]

"I have been saying that I know they are loving it. But we will show them we are better than they think.

W know many Americans are working overtime to rescue food victims, while medical staffs feverishly continue greatly assisting all those which are in need.

My main focus regarding Iran is even though our nation is enduring a horrendous tragedy of enormous proportions in the loss of lives, and a heavy blow to the economy, Iran tyrannical rulers must be dealt with before we are confronted with the unthinkable, in terms of the mullahs demonstrating their 'nuclear power'.

I fully realize any further tension effecting the flow of crude oil in the Persian Gulf will result in additional upward jolts in energy costs, but can we afford to not act and very soon?

What is your overview concerning Iran's nuke threat(s)?

[M. Espinola]

"Maybe we need to create a New Federal Agency inside FEMA...."

Get rid of the worthless schleps and bring in Rudy types in order to be ready for the next 'big one'.

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"True and they love putting gigantic parties on every year, but had not prepared for mega-destructive weather realities of the Gulf of Mexico.

Such is the fate of the "live for the moment" life.

[Jim Noble]

Yes, but the kettle is black and FEMA, for its billions of dollars of funding, is not doing a good job. That's the facts.

Tell it like it is bump.