Archive for Friday, July 18, 2008
Kan. National Guard head grades FEMA responses
July 18, 2008
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Washington — The leader of the Kansas National Guard told Senate lawmakers Thursday that he is pleased with the federal response since a devastating tornado struck Greensburg, Kan., last year, but he also said there is room for improvement.
Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting praised Federal Emergency Management Agency officials for moving quickly to build temporary shelters, install communications systems and help remove tons of debris.
But Bunting said there has been some confusion and inconsistency in how the agency processes disaster payments.
That has caused a delay in starting some reconstruction projects, such as work on the new county courthouse.
He blamed the problem on excessive staff turnover in FEMA’s Public Assistance program to the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee on disaster recovery.
“As such, the net result is work doesn’t get done,” he said.
The Senate panel is reviewing FEMA’s performance because of the confusion that followed Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., the subcommittee chairwoman, said she wants FEMA to create a system where the first person that oversees a disaster program stays until the case is resolved.
“Otherwise, it just becomes a rotating case,” Landrieu said.
Recovery efforts in Greensburg also were hampered because local officials weren’t told about the existence of certain federal programs, Bunting said. That lack of knowledge delayed the start of a business incubator.
Bunting recommended that federal agencies with a role in recovery, such as the Departments of Commerce, Labor and Agriculture, be in the same FEMA joint field office to offer guidance to state and local leaders.
Landrieu said she wanted the hearing to highlight the need to “redesign and retool” response and recovery efforts for all types of disasters.
Kansas has had five major disaster declarations over the past 18 months, and Bunting applauded FEMA’s regional office for working closely with state and local officials to provide quick assistance.
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18 July 2008 at 10:47 a.m.
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madmike (Anonymous) says…
FEMA performs much better when they are assisting a city that isn't a federal handout city like New Orleans, that had a less than useless mayor and governor!
18 July 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…
Yeah. I am sure that the fact that there are very few black people in Greensburg had anything to do with it. Oh wait, it did.
19 July 2008 at 7:58 a.m.
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madmike (Anonymous) says…
Typical leftist crap. I used to live in that state and am fully aware of New Orleans' history of being a high crime welfare city.