is NO being set on fire on purpose

[donsu]

in floods in other places, were there a lot of fires? a few seems reasonable, but this many and growing?

[Must_B_Free]

1. Fox reported it was all arson

[daninthemoon]

5. OMG, arson by black "looters" I suppose.

[havocmom]

19. That'll be what the corporations tell the insurance companies

Fire pays better than flood. Sometimes, flood isn't paid for at all (in many areas) unless expensive supplemental flood insurance has also been purchased.

My guess is there is good money in contracting to set fires at businesses.

[Cooley Hurd]

6. How the fuck would they know????

:grr:

[Must_B_Free]

23. they said they got the info from the fire department

[rodeodance]

7. like they know this to be true!

[stillcool]

2. insurance?

if you can't prove it was the flood that caused the damage...

[TahitiNut]

9. Yep. Very plausible.

Like looting. Theft and vandalism are conveniently insured when flood isn't.

I've still heard NOTHING to prove that the crime rate is anywhere above the average crime rate in that area.

[Up2Late]

15. Naw, that never happens down here

Insurance fraud is always a problem down here after a major disaster, I suppose N.O. is no different.

[daninthemoon]

3. Iv'e been wondering about that, too. Don't have an answer, just

conspiracy theory ponderings. Probably just nature taking it's course, though.

[rodeodance]

4. this infor was posted earlier on DU--fireplanes not accepted, etc. etc.

Sat Sep-03-05 08:04 AM
Original message
CNN: Firefighting gear stockpile unused

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/03/katrina.unusedgea...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Nine stockpiles of fire-and-rescue equipment strategically placed around the country to be used in the event of a catastrophe still have not been pressed into service in New Orleans, five days after Hurricane Katrina, CNN has learned.

Responding to a CNN inquiry, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Marc Short said Friday the gear has not been moved because none of the governors in the hurricane-ravaged area has requested it.

A federal official said the department's Office for Domestic Preparedness reminded the Louisiana and Mississippi governors' offices about the stockpiles on Wednesday and Thursday, but neither governor had requested it. (See the mayor blister feds for requiring formal queries for help -- 0:34)

The gear -- including generators, radios, breathing apparatus, cots and other items -- is stockpiled by DHS in nine locations. The three closest to New Orleans are College Station, Texas; Columbia, S.C.; and Clearwater, Fla. The gear is intended to replenish or sustain up to 150 first responders.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4602448&mesg_id=4603363

Sat Sep-03-05 06:05 AM
Original message
FEMA has not yet cleared the way for Nat. Fire Service to assist in

putting out fires that have errupted in NO.

PLanes are based in Missouri and could be useful.
Fox is reporting this.


FEMA has not yet cleared the way for Nat. Fire Service to assist in
and yes, it is Fox laying it on the doors of FEMA.
also saying there is a disconnect between requests from private
also I recall yesterday Condi said that FEMA had not reviewed Internation
They had offered fire-fighting planes.
WTF is going on?
msnbc just showed several fires and saying firepersons can NOT
air fireplanes could drop wate or chemicals but not allowed to!
yes, i saw this a few days ago. STill NOTHING!

Sat Sep-03-05 07:48 AM
Response to Original message
5. WTF is going on?

First Responders Urged Not To Respond To Hurricane Impact Areas Unless Dispatched By State, Local Authorities


Release Date: August 29, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today urged all fire and emergency services departments not to respond to counties and states affected by Hurricane Katrina without being requested and lawfully dispatched by state and local authorities under mutual aid agreements and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

“The response to Hurricane Katrina must be well coordinated between federal, state and local officials to most effectively protect life and property,” Brown said. “We appreciate the willingness and generosity of our Nation’s first responders to deploy during disasters. But such efforts must be coordinated so that fire-rescue efforts are the most effective possible.”

The U.S. Fire Administration, part of FEMA, asks that fire and emergency services organizations remain in contact with their local and state emergency management agency officials for updates on requirements in the affected areas.

“It is critical that fire and emergency departments across the country remain in their jurisdictions until such time as the affected states request assistance,” said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. “State and local mutual aid agreements are in place as is the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and those mechanisms will be used to request and task resources needed in the affected areas.”

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470

[RandiFan1290]

22. So this will be the spin. Watch for it!

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today urged all fire and emergency services departments not to respond to counties and states affected by Hurricane Katrina without being requested and lawfully dispatched by state and local authorities under mutual aid agreements and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Something really stinks here. :tinfoilhat:

[Lindsay]

8. Lord, it's the clusterfuck

that never ends.

[Bemis]

10. There are almost always fires in major flooding

Have seen it happen during a number of major floods, including the flood a few years ago when hurricane Fredrick hit NJ and several communities not only were flooded out, but lost a number of buildings due to fires.

Nothing worse than watching a building burn down while its surrounded by water.

[earth mom]

11. Hmmm...makes one wonder if someone does NOT want

all those historic buildings saved. After all, it's more expensive to restore than to rebuild. :grr:

[AnnieBW]

12. Chemicals And Water Don't Mix

There are a LOT of petro-chemical plants down there. A lot of chemicals don't mix well with water, especially water that's already got a toxic stew of chemicals and other assorted things. A lot of times, all it takes is a little water seeping into the storage tanks, and kablooey.

I think they're also discounting how many natural gas lines there are. It doesn't take much to set off a natural gas explosion.

[durablend]

13. CNN: Saks Fifth Ave on fire Canal St

Just had video of smoke coming from the attic...windows broken out on bottom floor, no idea if looters or from fire dept (which is on scene)

[DODI]

14. 1906 San Francisco Earthquake - fires were set to cover

earthquake damage -- insurance covered fire -- not earthquake. Could this be similar?

[mountainvue]

21. Interesting point. The mall fire has been

reported as arson.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. Grand Forks, ND had fires after its flood a few years ago

The whole downtown burned down.

There are many conceivable reasons for fires: broken gas mains, arson, even people trying to cook over open fires.

[Roland99]

17. I called this a few days ago. See here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4607500

[NoBushSpokenHere]

18. I almost posted earlier today that the next thing that will

happen is the dome and convention center will somehow mysteriously be on fire........

[durablend]

20. Another warehouse ablaze

Huge amount of smoke coming from the building...fire boat leaving with injured firefighter...no ambulances (obviously), so they're going to let the building burn.