Just this morning DHS employees received an informative memo from Secretary Chertoff that was sent on the evening of Aug 31.
The note was sent to all DHS employees to mark the start of National Preparedness month, which ironically, begins today - Sept 1. The memo fails to mention either the current catastrophe on the Gulf Coast and the role that preparedness could have played there, or the critical role DHS serves as the leader in US emergency preparedness.
Reading through the memo, it seems to me that the absolutely abysmal DHS response to the Katrina can be explained by what is clearly surfacing as the national response strategy -- Every man and woman for his/her self!
Please note the bolded language, below the break.
----Original Message-----
From: Orluskie, Larry On Behalf Of Communications, OPA
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:25 PM
To: ^DHS-ALL
Subject: Secretary Announces National Preparedness Month
TO: DHS employees
FROM: Secretary Chertoff
SUBJECT: National Preparedness Month
August 31, 2005
The Department of Homeland Security is partnering with the American Red Cross to launch National Preparedness Month 2005, which officially starts tomorrow--Sept. 1.
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take simple, commonsense steps to be more prepared in their homes, businesses, and schools.
Simple steps, taken in advance, can make all the difference during an emergency. Through National Preparedness Month, we will be encouraging all Americans to take a few basic actions to enhance our ability to deal with a crisis.
As DHS employees, I encourage you to take the following actions: 1) get a kit of emergency supplies; 2) make an emergency plan for yourself and your family; and 3) learn about different kinds of threats that might affect your community and the different responses for each. It's important that you take the time to prepare in advance so that if an emergency does strike you will be ready. I encourage you to visit the DHS-managed Ready Web site, www.ready.gov, for information and materials that will help you get started.
I also encourage you to become more involved in preparedness initiatives in your workplace and your community. Actively participate in evacuation drills and review your occupant emergency plan. Take advantage of first-aid training and educational programs. Participate in community-based activities sponsored by your local Citizen Corps council or American Red Cross chapter. By joining together with fellow employees and neighbors, you can make your workplace and your community safer.
Emergency preparedness is not simply a federal responsibility or even a state and local responsibility - it is an individual responsibility. Whether you live in a metropolitan area like Washington, D.C., or in a rural community, whether you're single or you have a family, or whether you drive to work or you take public transportation - everyone has a role to play.
Together, we can keep our nation strong and more prepared for emergencies.