"JP's (Jefferson Parish) Maestri said FEMA didn't keep its word"

[Swamp Rat]

Friday, September 02, 2005

JP's Maestri said FEMA didn't keep its word
Mark Schleifstein
Staff writer

Jefferson Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Walter Maestri said Friday night that the Federal Emergency Management Agency reneged on a promise to begin relieving county emergency preparedness staffers 48 hours after Hurricane Katrina hit the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Maestri’s staff has been working almost around the clock since Katrina approached the Louisiana coastline on Sunday. Today, the staff is expected to finally switch to a 12 hours on/12 hours off schedule, he said, adding that they’re both tired and demoralized by the lack of assistance from federal officials.

“We had been told we would be on our own for 48 hours,” Maestri said. “Prepare to survive and in 48 hours the cavalry would arrive.

“Well, where are they?” he said. Maestri said the agreement was signed by officials with the Southeastern Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Officials Association, the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of this year’s Hurricane Pam tabletop exercise. That exercise began the process of writing a series of manuals explaining how to respond to a catastrophic disaster. Financed by FEMA, it included a variety of federal, state and local officials.

More:

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#076438

[Swamp Rat]

1. READ THIS NOW!!!

:kick:

[Catherine Vincent]

11. Okay!

:hi:

[Swamp Rat]

13. Way'at cat_girl25!!

:hug: I had to write more emails to try and save my dogs. :cry:

[Spazito]

2. This show again how the blame falls squarely on the shoulders

of bush and his federal agencies. They signed an AGREEMENT to be there in 48 hours and STILL haven't shown up. Despicable.

[spuddonna]

3. Hey, wanna send that info to CNN as a NEWS TIP?

I have no idea whether they'll do anything, but we can try...


http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11.html?1

[Miss Chybil]

4. All roads are pointing to Michael Brown...

and the complete lack of leadership from the President on down to Michael Brown.

[HR_Pufnstuf]

8. Brown is fast becoming...

...a patsy.

And a very incompetent one also.

[expatriot]

5. How are you doing , Swamp Rat?

I know after reading a couple of posts of yours a couple of nights ago that you have quite a few personal interests in this horrendous tragedy. I hope everything is well.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

6. Hey expat and swamp hope all is well

I was stating the same thing in the Ted KOPPEl SOB thread you should read it. I think this should be forwarded to Ted has has been hammering the Admin. left and right in his soft, spoken subtly direct ways. Where are the young TK's.

[Swamp Rat]

15. .

:hug:

[Swamp Rat]

14. I've been busy trying to get aid for my dogs

:cry:

[Eloriel]

7. Boy, does this need a kick

Maestri has been very forthright and I've seen him quoted a bunch over the last few days. :thumbsup:

[Horse with no Name]

9. Unbelievable.

I hate what I am thinking.:(

[Blue_Roses]

10. kick

:kick:

[Lindsay]

12. The entire Bush junta is just a bunch of

freaking criminals. Depraved, sadistic criminals.

[Swamp Rat]

16. kick

[Swamp Rat]

17. kick for Walter