Aid for Those in Flood Zones Fell Short(WP obtains confidential appraisal)

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Aid for Those in Flood Zones Fell Short
Appraisal Finds FEMA Call Center Had Inexperienced Staff, Outdated Maps

By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2005; Page A21


The 18 people staffing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Map Assistance Center in Tallahassee were the first line of defense to answer people's questions about their risks of flooding and need for insurance.

To handle the complicated, technical aspects of flood hazard maps, FEMA had a policy that these "Tier 1" call center employees were to have majored in relevant fields such as geology or environmental sciences, according to a draft of a confidential assessment of the program obtained by The Washington Post.

But none of them had such a background, the February 2005 assessment found.

Instead, the assessment said, the job was left primarily to college students, many from Florida State University, studying fields such as fashion merchandising and music education. Their previous jobs included work as lifeguards, and as cashiers for Winn Dixie stores and at McDonald's, Tropical Smoothie and Mr. Taco.

As FEMA faces criticism for its performance after Hurricane Katrina, the assessment points to what it says were deficiencies in the agency's ability to provide information to homeowners before disasters, as they tried to protect their properties in the event of flooding....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/25/AR2005092501248.html

[Erika]

1. People voted for W under the illusion he'd keep us safe.

In reality, it looks like his appointees and his oversight has done just the opposite.

[rodeodance]

2. no experience!! good gawd!

[KoKo]

3. Oh Lordy...what else are we going to find out...

:eyes:

[xchrom]

4. lol -- this is a horrible tragedy

but some things are just too absurd. you have to laugh.
calling harold pinter.