The points he makes are all depressingly bad, but I noticed one particularly telling point that I think is probably being repeated all over the place: equipment is available but someone won't sign for it, or give permission - it's safer for them to say NO, and keep things just as they are!. This person is probably someone who feels way out of their depth and is scared to commit to anything.  Doesn't it suck when reality collides with incompetence?

[Update]: Author David Brin posted an essay on his site about the "amateur" response vs. the "professional" response, noting that FEMA actually blocked citizens from helping each other and themselves.