Ashley Burningham
Reference:
Gruenwald, J. (2005). Leaders Rap Poor Communication in Disaster Response. Congress Daily, p. 6.
Theme:
Reference:
Gruenwald, J. (2005). Leaders Rap Poor Communication in Disaster Response. Congress Daily, p. 6.
Theme:
FEMA failed to adequately respond after Katrina hit. Cities were left to fend for themselves and take care of victims. No financial aid or assistance was provided.
Summary:
- Communities took in evacuees.
- Local officials had a hard time communicating with state and federal officials (big obstacle)
- Local officials reported varying degrees of support from FEMA.
- Breakdown in communication hindered abilities to respond effectively and efficiently.
- Baton Rouge received major influx of refugees.
- Agencies had incompatible communication devices.
- Information wasn't shared with affected communities.
- Suffering was prolonged.
- Mayor upset with federal government.
- After the hurricane, FEMA failed to set up a designated FEMA contact in Baton Rouge for individual assistance for victims.
- After city officials decided to testify against FEMA, they contacted them about setting up an assistance center.
- 2 1/2 weeks before city heard from FEMA, citizens disappointed
- Could have sent supplies to other cities if there had been better coordination.
- City submitted a request for reimbursement of expenses from taking care of refugees and FEMA didn't respond or send money.
- Many refugees also sent to Texas. Their FEMA connections were more helpful.
- Texas also couldn't communicate with FEMA well, so they weren't sure who, how many, or when refugees were coming there.
- There is confusion about what FEMA can and can't do.
Application to Lesson Topic:
This week's lesson focused on leadership and communication. This article gives an example of poor leadership after a disaster. Local governments did all that they could to respond after Katrina, but the federal government failed to assist as they should. FEMA was vaguely involved, and cities were unable to communicate with each other or their superior governments. This article helps understand why leadership and communication are so important.
Application to Emergency Services:
NIMS provides a standard operating procedure for disasters. Agencies around the country rely on the processes illustrated by NIMS. When resources are exhausted, agencies are to turn to their state and federal governments. It becomes very difficult to respond when the people who are supposed to respond fail to do so. It kind of overturns the whole idea of NIMS as a method of response.
Summary:
- Communities took in evacuees.
- Local officials had a hard time communicating with state and federal officials (big obstacle)
- Local officials reported varying degrees of support from FEMA.
- Breakdown in communication hindered abilities to respond effectively and efficiently.
- Baton Rouge received major influx of refugees.
- Agencies had incompatible communication devices.
- Information wasn't shared with affected communities.
- Suffering was prolonged.
- Mayor upset with federal government.
- After the hurricane, FEMA failed to set up a designated FEMA contact in Baton Rouge for individual assistance for victims.
- After city officials decided to testify against FEMA, they contacted them about setting up an assistance center.
- 2 1/2 weeks before city heard from FEMA, citizens disappointed
- Could have sent supplies to other cities if there had been better coordination.
- City submitted a request for reimbursement of expenses from taking care of refugees and FEMA didn't respond or send money.
- Many refugees also sent to Texas. Their FEMA connections were more helpful.
- Texas also couldn't communicate with FEMA well, so they weren't sure who, how many, or when refugees were coming there.
- There is confusion about what FEMA can and can't do.
Application to Lesson Topic:
This week's lesson focused on leadership and communication. This article gives an example of poor leadership after a disaster. Local governments did all that they could to respond after Katrina, but the federal government failed to assist as they should. FEMA was vaguely involved, and cities were unable to communicate with each other or their superior governments. This article helps understand why leadership and communication are so important.
Application to Emergency Services:
NIMS provides a standard operating procedure for disasters. Agencies around the country rely on the processes illustrated by NIMS. When resources are exhausted, agencies are to turn to their state and federal governments. It becomes very difficult to respond when the people who are supposed to respond fail to do so. It kind of overturns the whole idea of NIMS as a method of response.
