The American Spectator

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(Page 10 of 21)

G.B. Hall br> Marietta, Georgia /p>

Many of our fellow former and retired USAF types (mostly command post controllers) ARE working at FEMA, most were first hired BECAUSE of their expertise at "unconventional" experience and their austere facilities command and control experience. But in 2005, many are aging out and retiring. We don't have SAC to instill in them "checklist discipline" AND alternate means of getting the execution orders out. (Heck we lost TAC and MAC too!) (Oh my Lord, I remember my earliest days in a Command Post and all the creative ways to do things. Exercises at "no bones" bases and sites -- no electrical power but the aircraft -- now what do you do?)

There are a great many of dedicated folks working, and a severe disconnect from "reality" by many of the political appointees to the agency. I've volunteered with the county OES agencies when I lived in California AFTER September 11, 2001. There are many dedicated volunteers and crisis center trained operators. BUT NO ONE wants to take time to do the "PRIOR PLANNING" that "prevents piss-poor performance."

Civic and elected officials see "no need" to "play games" when there is real work to be done, (i.e. fundraisers, "face-time" and so on). Other municipal leaders (like public works -- sanitation and sewers; water & power, road repair) really don't have the funding to do their normal work, are asked to come and play for a day? "Stop work and have my guys do what?" and my personal favorite, "In this weather?"

FEMA was supposed to run these exercises and provide training to state and local authorities. That has been forgotten. All we have is a lot of inexperienced (but maybe well-intended), uncoordinated, and un-commutative people working on "their" choice of crisis of the moment.

p>I have heard from a few other "commode post types" that are still in the "thick of it." Anyone for more Mogadishu or Kosovo? It's the same "circus" in Louisiana. br> -- Sandy Dent , a former 27490, NOT a 1C390 /p>

Bravo -- wonderful, to-the-point article. There is however one other agency at the federal level that needs to butt out of this type of planning.

I was told by a reservist that EPA had mandated that the Reserves and Guard meet their fuel needs in emergencies by purchasing fuel through local distribution networks instead of having a stock in their own facilities because "they might leak."

p>If this true EPA has effectively hamstrung any relief efforts.

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