Conversation I just had with ex -FEMA (type) employee

[underpants]

He has worked in several emergency services capacities. He just talked to an old friend who still works in that field.

He said that FEMA used to be really good at the type of situations we are now seeing in New Orleans though this is of a size that no one really has contended with before. Much of the problem there is the result of the The Dept. of Homeland Security-they moved in and disbanded many of the relationships both within the government and between government and contractors. Not just turf wars either, complete overhauling and throwing out the bathwater. Those with new responsibilities thought they could reinvent the wheel and did so.

Second point- the "gangs" thing.

Seems that the person he talked to was not at all surprised by gangs emerging and bascially trying to rule parts of New Orleans. This isn't particular to NO either. Apparently they were ready for this and had much of the planning worked out. They didn't need to go to Walmart for guns and ammo they headed first to the casinos (with axes) and not to take the food. Also the gangs knew that there would be complete lawlessness and planned to strike fast. This seems to be a consideration that the emergency services planners are always aware of but that usually provisions are made to control it.

That is all.

[CottonBear]

1. Chilling.

:scared:

[Bridget Burke]

2. Both rescue & security are important.

And both concerns should have been faced ASAP. But it's gotten out of hand.

That's what we get for Bush & Co playing politics.

[underpants]

7. "On his watch"

Don't hear that much anymore do ya?

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. why am I not shocked

in regard to gangs,

Reaching for emergency planner hat...

That is why you want to have the Army present ASAP, with full automatic weapons, regardless of what country.

That is why you have MPs together with Engineers and rescue workers.

This disaster is being compounded by so many problems it is not even funny

And at this point, I keep saying it, we need international aide

[underpants]

4. Right that is what he said too

He actually has that cold keep at a distance stark reality outlook people in this field and , say, medical fields have.

Security is A #1 priority. This is a staple of military operations (from my time in) and I made a joke about helicopter flying overhead in movies--he said that yeah that is basically the immediate approach if you can't have people in place at least let everyone know that you are there and that there are more coming. There seems to be none of this occuring in NO. The "Gangs" might have made off with some money from the casinos (insured) but it would have been quickly squashed and they would be back underground not out in the open grabbing fistfuls insteand of filling pockets.

ON EDIT- Security is A #1 priority.--you can't expect people to work in hostile environments. Even an Army platoon secures an area as best it can to let a medic treat an injured mate (to put it in a small scale example).

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I know at this point they will need a brigade

of MPs to secure the area... you know how large a brigade is... where are they gonna get it?

this is being compounded by each hour of innaction, and he is right... I have that cold profesional detachment and rage from watchign this... this level of incompetence I have seen before, but never in my wildest dreams did I epxect to see it here.

When, and it may be a matter of when, the International Teams show up, we may need to bring in MPs as well, or police from other states.

[underpants]

6. At least a brigade

A lot of people won't like it but they do need to clamp down and do it NOW. Pay me now or pay me later and when you pay me later you pay more. The longer they wait the worse it will get.

Wow so much of this could have been avoided.

[BeFree]

8. Imagine being a New Orleans cop

I did and I decided I would have got the hell out of there when I saw no reinforcemnts were coming. The troops should have been there before the water rose.

I saw on DU some 'Support the Looters' words, but those were the wrong words. The lack of attention paid the looters by the government only let the situation get out of control.

It's almost as if that was the desired effect.