Did I hear right? Bush declaring this a National Incident?

[sunnystarr]

So I googled like any good Duer would do. I found this:

Developed by the Secretary of Homeland Security at the request of the President, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) integrates effective practices in emergency preparedness and response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. The NIMS will enable responders at all levels to work together more effectively to manage domestic incidents no matter what the cause, size or complexity. The benefits of the NIMS system will be significant:

http://www.fema.gov/nims/

then I found

The NIMS Integration Center has received a number of questions recently asking if organizations must use National Incident Management System (NIMS) concepts and principles in day-to-day emergency operations versus only during major incidents involving federal participation.

The requirement to adopt and implement NIMS and ICS means NIMS and ICS for incident management every day. Those who don't are not NIMS compliant.

The intent of Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5, which ordered the development of the NIMS, is clear: "The objective of the United States Government is to ensure that all levels of government across the Nation have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together, using a national approach to domestic incident management."

... ....

To underscore the importance of the nationwide adoption of NIMS, the Department of Homeland Security has directed that all federal preparedness assistance to states and local jurisdictions be tied to compliance with the requirements of NIMS. Beginning Oct. 1, 2005, all recipients of federal preparedness funds must adopt and use NIMS as a condition for the receipt of FY06 preparedness assistance funding. This does not just include funds from the Department of Homeland Security; it includes preparedness funds from all federal departments and agencies, although there is no linkage between post disaster assistance funds and NIMS compliance. Specific preparedness grants will outline the requirements for eligibility in the grant language.

http://www.nimsonline.com/

Now does this mean that local officials like Mayors and Governors have no say when a disaster strikes their constituents?

If this is an example of how NIMS works we're all in deep shit. Did Bush just remember this program since he waited until today to declare it a National Incident? What about the preparedness part? Did it take this long for Bush to realize that a major hurricane hit 3 states?

It's no wonder that the helicopter never arrived with those 3000 pound sacks of sand to shore up the levy. No wonder the Mayor is so pissed. How many lives will be lost because of it?

Sigh ... what else can we expect from this president and those who serve at his pleasure.

[xultar]

1. Someone did post that the boy king refused to speak to the Mayor of NOLA

[Cyrano]

2. Papa Bush did something similar during Hurricane Andrew in FL.

Help didn't show up for four or five days and then George senior claimed that he never received the proper paperwork from Governor Lawton Chiles, the Governor of FL at the time.

The whole family seems to be lacking in basic humanity.

[shance]

3. So much stalling on their part to buy time. Just like 9-11.

For what?