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sappatoti -> RE: Dont Trust Them! Think for yourselves! (8/19/2007 1:33:44 PM)
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I can't comment much about how the Feds are dealing with disaster situations in other parts of the country, but when it comes to FL, FEMA definitely does NOT take the lead in disaster related cleanup or evacuations. They are invited by the state's EOC to participate in an advisory capacity and to administer the paperwork processes for the federal portion of cleanup, both in materials and financial reimbursement, but under no circumstance does FEMA run the operations. The state of FL, and many of the local governments within the state, take the lead simply because this state has had a long history of storm-related disasters and has their stuff together in dealing with calamaties of this nature. After the federal debacle of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, localities and counties all throughout Florida evaluated, drew up plans, tested, and when necessary executed disaster plans that have become the model that many other places in the country are looking at. During the 2004 hurricane season, when four hurricanes blanketed most of the state with destruction (Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne), it was the state and local agencies that quickly -- as soon as the winds dropped below 40 mph sustained -- responded with emergency medical, supplies, and shelters. By the time the feds rolled in (almost a day later in some locations), the recovery was already handled in a such an orderly process that the FEMA reps couldn't believe it. Was FL's response perfect? Not exactly, but all the disaster recovery experts agreed that it was about as perfect as it could be in such events. So, I don't abide by "the feds know best" and I don't think that any self-thinking individual should. Preparations for such disasters, whether man-made or natural, begin with each individual taking responsibility for their own and their family's well-being before, during, and after such emergencies. If every one did that, there wouldn't be the Katrina-type recovery that, in many respects, was an embarassment.
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