Quote:
Originally Posted by SWTXBelle
I do think it reasonable for FEMA to have a plan to get ice to those who need it - whether that means coordinating with local officials, or doing it themselves. They are the professionals - local authorities have limited experience with this level of disaster. You have to really go back to Alicia (1983) or Carla (1961) to get to a comparable situation. Since the whole reason for existence for FEMA is to come into this type of situation I do not think it unreasonable to expect them to consider something as vital as ice.
But let us accept your argument that FEMA should not have anything to do with ice. FEMA doesn't do ice. Why can't they handle getting food and water to those in need? Why are our citizens waiting in lines, only to be turned away empty handed? Why are some communities still waiting for any sign of FEMA? FEMA knew the storm was coming - had days to prepare - and still it is unable to coordinate its response.
eta - and lest you think I'm letting the local officials off the hook - the catatrophe that was the Look and Leave Program in Galveston is a prime example of good intentions that result in a bad outcome.
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stori....8238069e.html I'm afraid it will be much higher than 17 in Texas when all is said and done. Hope I'm wrong. |
I bet you have professionals locally at the state level too. They don't have the experience that FEMA would, granted, but someone was probably given, as a matter of professional responsibilities, the task of developing emergency plans at the state level.
I actually have no opinion about ice particularly, but I wonder why they don't commit to providing it. I tend to think there's a reason why they leave that to the local gov. My guess is that it's complicated to transport in from other areas and they can't guarantee they can produce enough locally by generating power and bringing in ice makers to meet the needs of an unpredictable number of people and the rate that some people would need/want it.
My personally bottom line is that I just don't think that anyone expecting aid or rescue from a Federal domestic agency is ever going to be entirely pleased with the results, and we seem to have moved past a point where insuring immediate survival in the short term is the expectation of services. The best hope we have is state and local. We should recognize the limits of what FEMA can do and cut it back to what it can competently deliver and let states use whatever funding went to FEMA to develop better systems. (Actually, I think FEMA makes the most sense just delivering insurance and money for recovery after the fact.)
Have you heard anything about what FEMA intends to do for housing for the people displaced in Galveston since they resolved not to ever use trailers again? I've been wondering what the plan was.
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