Today, whilst reviewing last month’s statistics, I noticed something funny. I had hits from both FEMA and the Navy. Now the Navy is understandable, surely, when living on a base somewhere, you have much free time, and having free time, I’d want to read my blog too. But FEMA? Come on, you botched the Katrina response (with plenty of help from the administration) and now congress is trying to axe you, yet you still have time to visit my little space on the web? Shouldn’t you be out trying to figure out how to respond to the next natural disaster? I mean with all the hoopla surrounding the 100th anniversary of the San Fransisco earthquake and talk of the next ‘big one’ or the impending onset of Hurricane Season for Gulf Coast residents?
I’d like to offer my completely unsolicited suggestions to FEMA and Congress on how to be better prepared for natural disaster response.
- Staging areas shouldn’t be setup as the Hurricane is bearing down on us. We know what areas in the country are hurricane prone, so why not establish permenant staging areas with a large, secure structure containing cots, a medical clinic, and a cafeteria for evacuees (these only need to be staffed when the centers are open, thus the cost is minimal)? Additionally there should be a large on-site dry storage for non-perishable goods, bottled water, and other nessecities that can then be quickly dispatched to smaller shelters or trapped residents. There should also be room for evacuee parking as well as utility staging.
- Why the hell does everything have to go through the President? Between Iraq, Afghanistan, Medcare Prescription Drugs, lobbyists, and oil companies, the man’s plate is full. Give authority to those who can do most with it. TThe people on the ground. A politician in a helicopter flying about doesn’t know diddly about the situation on the ground.
- Give the people actual grants, not tax incentives, to upgrade their property to be earthquake or hurricane ready. People who can just afford their house and enough gas for the week can’t pay for upgrades out-of-pocket and then get a pittance back on their taxes. Facilitating these upgrades makes goverment bailouts after disasters less costly and encourages insurance companies to continue writing policies in higher risk areas.
So, if you’re from FEMA, and you find yourself here, please, get back to work. People need you. If you’re here on your lunch break, more power to you, enjoy. But whatever you do, cross the red-tape lines, screw procedure and policy, and start helping those who need it most. We’re counting on you.
