Some Tidbits from the Fed’s NRP and what Bush could have done

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 26, 2005, and continuing. The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act . . . What part of “COORDINATE ALL DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS.” do you have trouble understanding? http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRP_FullText.pdf (Page 25 of the PDF. Page 7 of the Document) If the President determines that an emergency exists where the primary responsibility for response rests with the Government of the United States, or because the emergency involves an area or facility for which the Federal Government exercises exclusive or preeminent primary responsibility and authority, the President may unilaterally direct the provision of assistance under the act and will, if practicable, consult with the Governor of the State. What happened to being “Proactive”? http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRP_FullText.pdf (Page 61 of the PDF. Page 43 of the Document) Proactive Federal Response to Catastrophic Events Protocols for proactive Federal response are most likely to be implemented for catastrophic events involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive weapons of mass destruction, or largemagnitude earthquakes or other natural or technological disasters in or near heavily populated areas. Guiding Principles for Proactive Federal Response Guiding principles for proactive Federal response include the following: The primary mission is to save lives; protect critical infrastructure, property, and the environment; contain the event; and preserve national security. Standard procedures regarding requests for assistance may be expedited or, under extreme circumstances, suspended in the immediate aftermath of an event of catastrophic magnitude. Identified Federal response resources will deploy and begin necessary operations as required to commence life-safety activities. Notification and full coordination with States will occur, but the coordination process must not delay or impede the rapid deployment and use of critical resources. States are urged to notify and coordinate with local governments regarding a proactive Federal response. State and local governments are encouraged to conduct collaborative planning with the Federal Government as a part of “steady-state” preparedness for catastrophic incidents. . . http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRP_FullText.pdf (Page 70 of the PDF. Page 52 of the Document) Concurrent with a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency and official appointment of an FCO, DHS/EPR/FEMA designates the types of assistance to be made available and the counties eligible to receive assistance. In large-scale or catastrophic events, the declaration process can be expedited. In certain emergencies involving Federal primary responsibility, the Stafford Act allows the President to provide emergency assistance without a Governor’s request. Appendix 5 provides an overview of the request process under the Stafford Act. http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRP_FullText.pdf (Page 96 of the PDF. Page 78 of the Document) The Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. Law 107- 296, 116 Stat. 2135 (2002) (codified predominantly at 6 U.S.C. §§ 101-557 and in other scattered sections of the U.S.C.), established the Department of Homeland Security with the mandate and legal authority to protect the American people from the continuing threat of terrorism. In the act, Congress assigned DHS the primary missions to: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; Reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism at home; Minimize the damage and assist in the recovery from terrorist attacks that occur; and Act as the focal point regarding natural and manmade crises and emergency planning. And let’s not Forget the Annex. http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRP_FullText.pdf (Page 359 of the PDF. Page 341 of the Document) A detailed and credible common operating picture may not be achievable for 24 to 48 hours (or longer) after the incident. As a result, response activities must begin without the benefit of a detailed or complete situation and critical needs assessment. Federal support must be provided in a timely manner to save lives, prevent human suffering, and mitigate severe damage. This may require mobilizing and deploying assets before they are requested via normal NRP protocols. Ouch! http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/national/nationalspecial/11response.ht... . . . "I need everything you've got," the governor said she told the president on Monday. "I am going to need all the help you can send me." . . .