Firefighting gear stockpile unused (More Governor Blanco mistakes)

cnn ^ | September 3, 2005 | Mike M Ahlers

[johnmecainrino]

Firefighting gear stockpile unused WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Nine stockpiles of fire-and-rescue equipment strategically placed around the country to be used in the event of a catastrophe still have not been pressed into service in New Orleans, five days after Hurricane Katrina, CNN has learned. Responding to a CNN inquiry, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Marc Short said Friday the gear has not been moved because none of the governors in the hurricane-ravaged area has requested it. A federal official said the department's Office for Domestic Preparedness reminded the Louisiana and Mississippi governors' offices about the stockpiles on Wednesday and Thursday, but neither governor had requested it.

[XHogPilot]

It almost seems like FEMA needs to have a posse of government assist teams to shadow the local government officials. Whenever the locals start hitting a roadblock the FEMA guy whispers in the locals ear "PSST, I can fix that," or "Have you thought about, _____."

That is in fact, what many in FEMA do. Recheck this article for starters...

[oldbrowser]

Nine stockpiles of fire-and-rescue equipment strategically placed around the country to be used in the event of a catastrophe still have not been pressed into service in New Orleans

Along the same lines I have been thinking that some of the bases closed in the last round of military base closures should be turned over to FEMA.

Particularly near hurricane areas it would be good to have a staging area for supplies and equipment. It would also serve the need for an evacuation facility for people that don't have transportation or resources.

Hurricanes are going to keep hitting populated areas and since we have the bases closings we should consider this option.

[doug from upland]

This governor and mayor are going to have some serious explaining to do. Maybe they'll both flee the country.

[Ditter]

That's what I thought. I can remember a fire being put out with water from a nearby swimming pool. With all the standing water I was wondering why they didn't use it even tho I realize it is full of trash. Seems like they could have figured a way around the trash.

[ragincajin]

Quit your bitchin

“I have determined that this incident will be of such severity and magnitude that effective response will be beyond the capabilities of the State and the affected local governments and that supplementary Federal assistance will be necessary.”

Governor Blanco’s August 28th letter to the President through FEMA

[lpfan3397]

I'm interested in getting in contact with someone about the gear see i am in the U.S. Army and we are in need of gear our unit has told us that they do not have the funds for fire gear so we can't do training and we have been called to a couple brush fires and all we have where i am is flight suits and three sets of bunker gear that is not up to par I am wandering if we could get a number and get in touch with someone to see if we could get some donated to us seeing as how there are nine stock piles of gear if someone could email me with some info or this gear or somehow get some gear donated to us my email address is speak2charles@yahoo.com if anybody could give me some info it would be greatly appreciated

thank you
PFC Barnes