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September 28, 2005
Hurricane in a Box
One would think that FEMA would have put together a number of packages, or boxes, which would essentially be kits with all available information, procedures and plans for local and state officials to use in case of various emergencies. I am thinking from the point of view of a project manager type who should have sat in a room with a group of disaster folks and said something like, "Okay, what are the various disasters that can happen in the country?" He would make a list on a big white board. Then s/he might say, "Okay, what variation is there on each one of these, like small, medium, large and extra special? What can we expect to happen in each circumstance for various areas of the country? How should we react? What is expected of each government branch, both within the Federal government, state and local branches? How do they have to be prepared?" Once they get that far, then they start writing up plans like if "this" happens then do "that". After that you try to run classes to teach mayors and governors what to do during massive events. Each state and local official would get a kit outlining what should be done and a basic outline of when they should do it. They should also have a Federal coordinator to help them in case of an emergency.
This would also define how local communities spend money, especially if they are told to buy X, Y, and Z for emergencies. There would be specific lists of necessary items. Such action would largely eliminate all the nonsense that local police and fire departments purchased with their share of DHS money.
Many state and local officials come into office without the training necessary to do all aspects of their jobs. FEMA should be there to help them. It seems to me that FEMA is a department that is supposed to not only aid those in need but prepare for events, should they occur. It is not rocket science, it is a basic game planning.
Posted by Chip Spear at September 28, 2005 2:56 PM