FEMA turns way random help as they are inconsistent and usually not were they really are not needed. FEMA wants public help but they coordinate with organizations and coordinate support through them. 200 people showing up out of the blue as one site with a shovel and supplies does not help them as they don’t have the coordination power for that.
It’s great that folks want to help but they get in the way of sending help to were they think that are needed not were volunteers show up.
If folks want to help then go join Samaritan’s purse or the Red Cross or your local government and then help. Be prepared you’re likely going to paying your own way and personal time there if you just show up. The Cajun navy is another group that takes volunteers organizes them to support the relief effort. That started as ragtag collection of support and now are part of the bigger relief effort. Goto thier website to see what they do now.
SWAG: As to the collection of goods for support. I assume in the same vein they take random collections of food and aid and then figure out where to distribute the goods to the most needy. It does not always get to where you think. The incident with the mayor of San Juan PR hoarding fed support was a great example of corruption. I assume a FEMA contractor does the collection as FEMA only has about 2,500 full time employees so they contract manpower and equipment. Bringing random stuff out of the closet and pantry does not help much. Feed good but tons of supplies are needed.
This is based the 900 Series ( or used to be numbered)emergency training course FEMA offers that I took in the 2000s and my time spent working months on and boots on the ground for Katrina and working fed exercises.
I feel bad that good people want to help but without coordination it becomes more of a mess that it helps and red meat topics for radio.
“FEMA turns way random help as they are inconsistent and usually not where they really are not needed. FEMA wants public help but they coordinate with organizations and coordinate support through them. 200 people showing up out of the blue as one site with a shovel and supplies does not help them as they don’t have the coordination power for that.”
Do you actually BELIEVE this nonsense!? I have been in hurricane areas all my life and I’ve been on both sides of either needing help or offering help. When you are without power and trees are all over the place ... and a guy or guys show up in a pickup truck with a chain saw and bottled water and offer to get gas for your car, I guarantee your response will not be “oh, fellas, are you sure you have coordinated what you are doing with the government? Is your chain-saw environmentally secure? Do you have proper OSHA approved gas tanks?”
Get real. Government can help, they have helicopters and NG personnel. (See Desantis in Fla.) But the idea that individuals and groups cannot help people with real, serious needs is balderdash!
In the News/Activism forum, on a thread titled Here's One Reason Why FEMA Is Doing Such a Terrible Job, Liaison wrote: FEMA turns way random help as they are inconsistent and usually not were they really are not needed. FEMA wants public help but they coordinate with organizations and coordinate support through them. 200 people showing up out of the blue as one site with a shovel and supplies does not help them as they don’t have the coordination power for that.
It’s great that folks want to help but they get in the way of sending help to were they think that are needed not were volunteers show up.
If folks want to help then go join Samaritan’s purse or the Red Cross or your local government and then help. Be prepared you’re likely going to paying your own way and personal time there if you just show up. The Cajun navy is another group that takes volunteers organizes them to support the relief effort. That started as ragtag collection of support and now are part of the bigger relief effort. Goto thier website to see what they do now.
SWAG: As to the collection of goods for support. I assume in the same vein they take random collections of food and aid and then figure out where to distribute the goods to the most needy. It does not always get to where you think. The incident with the mayor of San Juan PR hoarding fed support was a great example of corruption. I assume a FEMA contractor does the collection as FEMA only has about 2,500 full time employees so they contract manpower and equipment. Bringing random stuff out of the closet and pantry does not help much. Feed good but tons of supplies are needed.This is based the 900 Series ( or used to be numbered)emergency training course FEMA offers that I took in the 2000s and my time spent working months on and boots on the ground for Katrina and working fed exercises.
I feel bad that good people want to help but without coordination it becomes more of a mess that it helps and red meat topics for radio.
Not true. FEMA has a 'preferred providers' list. Funds flow to their 'preferred providers', and some say they kickback to officials in the state.
Anyway, if you're not a 'preferred provider' your contributions risk decreasing contributions from 'preferred providers'.
Victims are dying without water. What about using civilians to distribute water to the dying? SO they die? And can be around for when the FEMA people decide they are comfortably organized enough to distribute food?
So where is this coordination of which you speak?
I see nearby military assets who are actually good at relief efforts under adverse conditions being ordered to stand down.
I see supply trucks being vandalized and sabotaged while in-transit, both from volunteer and official convoys. Where are the security forces that should protect these convoys?
I see FEMA obstructing every type of volunteer or local initiative to deliver supplies or clear rubble. Then they state that they do not have enough "resources" to do those tasks.
I see a gang of illegal immigrants arrested for looting and then released on $1,000 bail or recognizance bonds. I hear other stories of looters being found hanged from trees and decorated with posters.
I notice that one volunteer organization which is still operational in NC is advertising on their website, requesting volunteers with heavy equipment skills, EMT skills, and logistics coordination skills to come on down. They also ask volunteers to bring with them weapons and ammunition if they have a Concealed Carry Permit.
WTF?
What is FEMA doing to remedy anything?
Reports that a FEMA director who was acting arrogant and denying aid to #NorthCarolina flood victims was BEATEN by local residents.
8:37 AM · Oct 4, 2024
Lots of commentary here:
https://x.com/RetroCoast/status/1842212404689551467
But wait. There is more:
Breaking:
NC State police issue statement that they will start arresting any federal employees trying to stop or hinder rescue operations.
2:04 PM · Oct 4, 2024
https://x.com/CPTOshaughnessy/status/1842294699224416462
I guess that is what is meant by "interesting times".
It’s great that folks want to help but they get in the way of sending help to were they think that are needed not were volunteers show up.
For 6 days, those “folks who want to help” were the only effective help there was. Now FEMA shows up and takes over to the point of dismissing people who want to help while doing very little themselves.
Your comments, in general, are disturbing. I see some of your points but they betray the arrogance of bureaucracy.
I do NOT see FEMA blue tarps. I do NOT see FEMA trailers.
What I DO see is an arrogance that is dismissive and undermining instead of supportive and helpful.
“..but without coordination it becomes more of a mess that it helps and red meat topics for radio.“
If FEMA are such great and efficient coordinators they could simply take down what ad hocs are doing and work it in to their schedule or suggest areas for the ad hocs to fill in. But that ain’t what they’re doing. They’re shutting out Americans who simply want to do what Americans have always done in situations like this.
There are 2 different cajun navy nonprofit rescues- do you know which one is original?
The Cajun Navy did heroic work, in TX, after Hurricane Harvey.