US_Ch4_webquest-FEMA

=**Efforts of FEMA**= __Objective__: To explain how big government isn't always the best solution.

FEMA's first major test was Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The agency proved to be sluggish and the states failed to make timely requests to FEMA (states are required to make requests to FEMA - FEMA cannot just come into a state and start giving out orders). The federal and state agencies had separate emergency money and offices, which meant little communication.

Hurricane Andrew in 1992 proved that very little was improved over three years. Blame was placed on Florida officials for not requesting aid quickly enough. The General Accounting Office recommended to Congress that MORE power be given to FEMA.

A genuine security threat - September 11, 2001 terror attacks - led President George W. Bush to succumb to calls to "do something" about national security, which led him to form the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The new department to combat terrorism would have 170,000 employees within 22 federal agencies, including FEMA. Furthermore, 13 House and Senate committees and 60 subcommittees had some level of authority over DHS. The senior officials in the DHS were buried under pressing day-to-day issues that there was no time to resolve management conflicts or coordinate problems within agencies (including FEMA). Lumping natural disasters with national security ensured poor preparation for both.


 * 13. How can big government (more agencies and more bureaucrats - federal workers within agencies) interfere with helping citizens (such as in a natural disaster). In other words, why would more agencies and federal employees make disaster response less efficient?**

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 overwhelmed the entire system. Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August of 2005 and was a category 5 hurricane (winds of 155 MPH, roof failure on many residential and industrial buildings, and major evacuations 10 miles from shore). Katrina would hit the coast, the levees holding back the water would fail and 1,8000 died. Media bias against President Bush portrayed this as one of the worst disasters in our history (although the numbers show Johnstown, Dayton, Galveston, and San Francisco were worse). The story of Katrina does show failures at the federal level, but most of the incompetence was at the state and local level. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin failed to implement emergency plans or even implement federal guidelines. For example, the city was to use school buses and drivers to evacuate those who needed rides. He did not do this. Nagin didn't order an evacuation when he should have even though the federal government (National Weather Service) notified the city in plenty of time. Furthermore, President Bush issued a disaster declaration even before the hurricane hit - such declarations are usually declared after. Governor Kathleen Blanco's office had been called by the director of the National Hurricane Center and warned of the danger - something the director never did before or since in his 36 year career). If Mayor Nagin had acted or Governor Blanco suspend Nagin and order the evacuation, human losses would've been a fraction of what they were. Governor Blanco did request Bush declare a state of emergency but did NOT include any provision for help in advance of the storm (which is necessary) - D.C. thought state and local authorities had the matter under control. Nagin didn't put the school buses or public transit into action (360 transit buses could carry 60 people at a time; the city could've evacuated New Orleans in four trips - less than 12 hours). Amtrak offered 700 seats on an unscheduled trip, but Nagin's office wouldn't receive their phone calls. Citizens who had their homes destroyed gathered at the Superdome, which had inadequate facilities, but was a last resort.


 * 14. Who deserves most of the criticism for the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in terms of human losses: President Bush, Governor Blanco, or Mayor Nagin? Why?**

The federal and state governments did well at given their warnings and assembling troops to help in rescues (Coast Guard rescued 33,000 and the National Guard 36,000). The problem with federal bureaucrats (FEMA under director Michael Brown) is that they don't know the terrain - street names, areas and neighborhoods, or citizens). Various businesses helped with disaster relief. Wal Mart allowed emergency workers to take supplies and gave $15 million to the Red Cross and other aid funds. Coca-Cola used its own trucks to deliver materials. The privately owned Travel Industry Association rerouted sight-seeing buses to help with the rescue.

The role of government had changed and grew (and continues to grow) bigger having more of a say in the lives of the nation's citizens. After Hurricane Irene in 2011 (August) numerous states and cities were impacted and again, citizens relied on the government to come to their aid...rather than the citizens together in their cities. After Hurricanes Harvey (Texas), Irma (Florida), and Maria (Puerto Rico), there were expectations of the government being the lead. Click here to wrap up the web quest.