DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Ray Nagin

**MasdMnPa** · 02-21-2007, 04:16 PM

I'm at a loss trying to determine how you figure a local government was more responsible for a disaster that affected the entire nation.

At the time Katrina happened, it was very well known in the emergency management community that FEMA would not be there to do anything for 48-72 hours (or more). The local and state agencies were expected to handle things themselves for that initial timeframe.

That was the standard operational plan since I first started in public safety in the late 80s.

In Katrina, the state and local resources were completely overwhelmed in the initial hours, and the system collapsed.

FEMA, when they finally showed up, didn't accomplish much of anything either.

Matt

02-21-2007, 04:16 PM	#33
MasdMnPa Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 425 Senior Member	I'm at a loss trying to determine how you figure a local government was more responsible for a disaster that affected the entire nation. At the time Katrina happened, it was very well known in the emergency management community that FEMA would not be there to do anything for 48-72 hours (or more). The local and state agencies were expected to handle things themselves for that initial timeframe. That was the standard operational plan since I first started in public safety in the late 80s. In Katrina, the state and local resources were completely overwhelmed in the initial hours, and the system collapsed. FEMA, when they finally showed up, didn't accomplish much of anything either. Matt
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