Difference between the fires and Katrina

[MosMom]

Is there a difference in the response to Californians vs. the response to Katrina victims?

Is it a federal level difference. Is it a state difference? Different because they are two different catastrophies? Difference because of lessons learned? No difference?

I really don't hold a strong opinion either way. It was just something I was thinking about watching the news hearing that Bush had called the Gov. and offered up anything they need.

I figured I would bring it up here and see what opinions are held.

 

[ducklite]

Of course there's a difference. Many of the homes in CA that have been or will be lost belong to wealthy, influential voters who are also big campaign contributors.

I'm just sayin...

 

[LakeAriel]

Sorry to say the answer is...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Regardless, I want them to get everything they need, just as those poor people in Louisana did not. Two wrongs won't bring those poor people back..

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, yeah - so no help for the wealthy? They're insured to the MAX - so no "help" for them! (sarcasm intended)

I think the way the poor in New Orleans were treated was (& still is) atrocious! Many of the "wealthy" people in California will figure out a way to take care of themselves. Of course, they will have not lost everything, but I think there will need to be some level of help.

I'm just sayin'....

 

[Fast Pass]

Don't worry about the people of California being treated differently then the people in New Orleans. I have heard that FEMA is now getting involved. If that doesn't louse everything up I don't know what will.

 

[JennyMominRI]

This has happened countless times in SoCal.. The last time was in 2003..Ca knows the drill..

 

[diznygirl]

There is a short article about it I just read in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-lopez23oct23,0,4117434.column?coll=la-home-center


It's a shame that it's boiling down to money. I have friends affected, and I don't know anyone rich or famous! It's sad for people to lose their homes and businesses no matter how you look at it.

Of course there's a difference. Many of the homes in CA that have been or will be lost belong to wealthy, influential voters who are also big campaign contributors.

I'm just sayin...

Well - it's hitting Orange County - traditionally conservative, and Malibu - traditionally liberal. So I guess everyone is hurting.


As for the emergency response - it's probably more about preparedness and leadership. California has plans in place for this, and the leadership is getting involved and acting quickly. I don't think the same could be said about Katrina.

 

[disykat]

CA does know the drill. The governor also knows he needs to be available during this crisis. That's a huge difference. It appears to me it's taking about the same amount of time for national involvement.

 

[DawnCt1]

Of course there's a difference. Many of the homes in CA that have been or will be lost belong to wealthy, influential voters who are also big campaign contributors.

I'm just sayin...

Oh puleeze! That is ridiculous. The fires are in Escondido where the Wild Animal Park is. There are fires outside of Anaheim, etc. I saw plenty of very average looking houses that belonged to very average, hard working people all through out Southern California. Not everyone is a movie star living on the beach. California votes pretty much Democratic in the National election.

 

[Maleficent13]

 

[CathrynRose]

Of course there's a difference. Many of the homes in CA that have been or will be lost belong to wealthy, influential voters who are also big campaign contributors.

I'm just sayin...

Oh bull.

They made a huge mistake with Katrina and they wont let that happen again. Thats why the response will be better this time around.

AND youve got a governor whom is also being more pro-active then Louisiana's gov was.

A HUGE chunk of the homes are outside Anaheim which is not some rich-to-do area, AT ALL.

Im just sayin'.......

 

[Hannathy]

They aren't getting offered anything different than New Orleans was offered. The difference is in the state and local level elected officials are smart enough to take it and use it efficiently.



The National government shouldn't be babysitters, if at a state and local level they don't care enough about their people to prepare and react accordingly then it is the fault of the folks who elected them not ours.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

While the federal response during Katrina was horrid, the lack of leadership by the governor was a huge contributing factor. California has, unfortunately for the many people affected, BTDT and has more plans in place to handle the crisis and a governor who is much better at responding.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Oh puleeze! That is ridiculous. The fires are in Escondido where the Wild Animal Park is. There are fires outside of Anaheim, etc. I saw plenty of very average looking houses that belonged to very average, hard working people all through out Southern California. Not everyone is a movie star living on the beach. California votes pretty much Democratic in the National election.

This is totally true..
Malibu, a rich area does tend to always get hit in these fires and gets a lot of press,but they get hit due to geography... I can guarantee the people of Fallbrook, Ramona and Carslbad are not rich.. That could have been me when I lived in Ca, and I'll tell you I lived paycheck to paycheck there.

Alot of the people fleeing Fallbrook, which is considered priority one in this fire, are young military families who don't have much to start with

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Of course there's a difference. Many of the homes in CA that have been or will be lost belong to wealthy, influential voters who are also big campaign contributors.

I'm just sayin...

I thought I was a cynical person. I'm just saying...

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Also remember, in Katrina, a few days warning, then BOOM, mass destruction over a WIDE area.

In the fires, you can combat it as it's happening and try and control the damage. so its an ongoing request for assistance(air tankers, small units of natl guard, food, water, etc.) plus evacuation plans that are working!

After the 2003 fires, a lot of the agencies got together and figured out what worked and what didn't and fixed it. The biggest thing I noticed is the command and control. During the 2003 fires, the federal firefighters had one idea, and the state and local had another, and of forth. so much so that there were a number news stories about it. From what I understand, they fixed it.

It seems to be working, as best they can! The most important aspect is that it gives the firefighters and emergency personnel the decision making, supplies, and assistance they need to immediately take care of the situation as if unfolds.

AS the saying goes.. Thats my opinion, I could be wrong!

 

[Free4Life11]

Good luck to all involved! At least the insurance policies should cover fires, right?

 

[pperfectmom]

It's my opinion that NIFC does "a heck of a job" better than FEMA ever will under Homeland Security. The more beaucracies(how in the world is that spelled? )involved, the worse the situation gets. I sat at my computer sending emails to elected officials during the Katrina fiasco, asking how firefighters on a fireline in the Gila Wilderness can get a steak dinner dropped out of a helicopter and people in a major metropolitan area can't even get water. It still makes no sense to me.

 

[yasmina]

OK, I'm going to throw my 2 cents out here.

As far as I know, the people being evacuated and/or have lost their homes are not wealthy. For the most part however, they probably purchased those homes years ago when propertu values were reasonable. Now those house values have skyrocketed simply by virtue of their location.

I feel very bad for all involved, both victims and rescue personnel.

 

[disneyfan67]

It's a lot of things that have been mentioned all ready, including the money angle that was brought up. The big difference maker here though is the leadership and decision making that is being used on a local and state level. Far different from the local and State response that we all saw during Katrina. The Federal Government failed as well and could have done better and more, but I will always feel that things were handled poorly by Gov Blanco and Mayor Nagin.

If it isn't wildfires, it's mud slides and earth quakes. I think California knows the routine by now as Jenny said.