FEMA Provides Valuable Public Service

Many people fail to grasp the significance of the actions of FEMA in response to the Katrina disaster. Textbooks will be able to refer to the planning and policies used in this instance as an example of how not to respond to such disasters.

In these textbooks, the use of patronage to fill staff positions with the unqualified will be discouraged. Future presidents will choose FEMA managers that have actual experience in emergency management.

The future FEMA managers will understand the importance of heeding the warnings and setting their plans in action at the earliest possible moment. They will make errors but they will err on the side of caution.

Command centers will set up with communication links to the many federal, state and local entities that will be affected as well as those that can provide assistance. Cooperation will be the overriding rule. These centers will also monitor news and internet reports to insure that all the information available can be provided to the decision makers.

First responders will be pre-cleared for entry into the affected to insure an immediate response. No aid from the international community, private organizations or the general public will be denied or diverted. By ensuring a rapid relief effort, order will be maintained. The photo-ops will be real.

All this will come about because the people will demand accountability of those given the responsibility for the security of the nation's citizens. Those guilty of malfeasance and negligence will call this the Blame Game. It must be played to reduce the suffering of future victims of such disasters.