So, who's responsible?

[bsnyder]

No, not for New Orleans. Arguing after the fact isn't going to change what happened in the past.

But how about before the fact?

We haven't even reached the peak of the 2005 Hurricane season. Hopefully we won't have another Katrina, but chances are, we'll have more storms threaten our coastal communities. The central east coast of Florida has just been issued tropical storm warnings, due to TD#16.

So, who's responsible for the safety and well being of the folks living along our coasts?

The individual?

Their state and local governments?

Or, their federal government?

 

[ThAnswr]

No, not for New Orleans. Arguing after the fact isn't going to change what happened in the past.

But how about before the fact?

We haven't even reached the peak of the 2005 Hurricane season. Hopefully we won't have another Katrina, but chances are, we'll have more storms threaten our coastal communities. The central east coast of Florida has just been issued tropical storm warnings, due to TD#16.

So, who's responsible for the safety and well being of the folks living along our coasts?

The individual?

Their state and local governments?

Or, their federal government?

All of them.

 

[peachgirl]

All of them.

 

[BuckNaked]

Primarily, the individuals and state/local government, especially before the storm hits and in the immediate aftermath.

 

[bsnyder]

All of them.

Who's in charge? All of them?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes. All of them.

 

[ThAnswr]

Who's in charge? All of them?

You asked the question "who's responsible" and you got an answer.

You didn't ask who's in charge, you asked who's responsible.

The problem is you don't like the answer.

Btw, you're a little late to the party. Your question "who's responsible" has been asked and answered ad nauseum.

 

[bsnyder]

You asked the question "who's responsible" and you got an answer.

You didn't ask who's in charge, you asked who's responsible.

The problem is you don't like the answer.

Btw, you're a little late to the party. Your question "who's responsible" has been asked and answered ad nauseum.

No it hasn't.

My community could be in danger next week, or next month. Yours could be (again).

Let's just take one small item. We have a huge elderly population. Who is responsible for getting them evacuated?

Local?
State?
Federal?

 

[BuckNaked]

For those that say "all of them", to what degree?

For example, I think that the individuals, and state/local governments are responsible from the point that the storm is known to be on the way and through the immediate aftermath. After that, I think that the federal government should step in, and especially in the case of a major disaster, take over the entire operation, with state and local officials serving only a consulting role.

How about you guys?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like that idea.

 

[wvrevy]

State and local governments simply are not equipped to deal with something of this magnitude. As such, the Homeland Security department, of which FEMA is a part, has ultimate responsibility.

But the simplest answer is that everyone needs to do their part. Individuals that are capable of leaving should do so. Cities and states should do what they can to assist those that need it, and the fed should be overseeing the entire process, not just coming in during the aftermath.

 

[bsnyder]

You asked the question "who's responsible" and you got an answer.

You didn't ask who's in charge, you asked who's responsible.

The problem is you don't like the answer.

Btw, you're a little late to the party. Your question "who's responsible" has been asked and answered ad nauseum.

I asked "who's responsible for the safety and well being of the folks living along our coasts"?

I could just as easily said "who's in charge of the safety and well being of the folks...."

They're synonymous, in this context.

So, who do you think should be "in charge" and "responsible" for evacuating the nursing homes in your area?

FEMA?
Jeb?
Charlotte County officals?

 

[bsnyder]

State and local governments simply are not equipped to deal with something of this magnitude. As such, the Homeland Security department, of which FEMA is a part, has ultimate responsibility.

But the simplest answer is that everyone needs to do their part. Individuals that are capable of leaving should do so. Cities and states should do what they can to assist those that need it, and the fed should be overseeing the entire process, not just coming in during the aftermath.

What if the cities and states don't do what they can?

 

[BuckNaked]

But the simplest answer is that everyone needs to do their part. Individuals that are capable of leaving should do so. Cities and states should do what they can to assist those that need it, and the fed should be overseeing the entire process, not just coming in during the aftermath.

While I'm in favor of overhauling the laws so that any disaster declaration puts the feds in charge immediately after the storm hits, I'm not in favor of the federal government planning and overseeing evacuations and other preparations.

 

[poohandwendy]

You asked the question "who's responsible" and you got an answer.

You didn't ask who's in charge, you asked who's responsible.

The problem is you don't like the answer.

Btw, you're a little late to the party. Your question "who's responsible" has been asked and answered ad nauseum.

I think she did ask ''who is in charge?'' on post 5 (?). If you don't have an answer or just don't want to, fine. But sheesh, thread starters aren't limited to one question, as far as I know.

I agree with Brenda. Beforehand and immediately after a hurricane, I think those who are responsible are the citizens and the local/state govt. Because they are the ones with immediate access and on the scene knowledge of what is going on. Afterwards, if the fed govt is needed, then they are responsible.

I would apply the same level of command to the question "who's in charge?' also.

I would not want or expect the federal govt to be on the scene before or immediately after every potential natural disaster because I think that would just cause more chaos and would be an unnecessary waste of resources.

I think we need a better plan for coordinating from the local level to the federal, hopefully that will happen.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Bet---if you have the means to get out of your home and protect it--the responsibilty lies on you. They cannot go door to door and personally assist every citizen. Some personal responsibilty is necessary. Our government is not baby sitters. We don't wear a GPS so that they know where we are at all times so that they can personally chase us out of town.

It is their responsibility to tell me there is a problem, maybe even if their might be a problem. Once they do that--I have personal responsibility to do what I can to protect myself.

After the fact--they need to tell me if it is safe or not--and if I'm permitted to return, then once again it is my responsibility to not do things I don't know how to do or would put myself at risk. If I don't know how to remove a tree from my home--I shouldn't do it.

Disaster readiness depends on the notion that most citizens can care for themselves.
For hurricane season, they've told me and you and everyone else this many times--have a plan, have your supplies, have your evacuation planned out. So they are expecting most citizens to do this. If they don't--then even their best plans won't go as planned.

For nursing homes/hospitals--THEY should have their own plans in place. Perhaps have that as part of their requirements to operate. Much like the evacuation plan in case of fire--they should have one in place for a hurricane as well.

 

[wvrevy]

What if the cities and states don't do what they can?

Then the officials there should be held responsible for their lack of action, up to and including impeachment for gross incompetance.

While I'm in favor of overhauling the laws so that any disaster declaration puts the feds in charge immediately after the storm hits, I'm not in favor of the federal government planning and overseeing evacuations and other preparations.

Why not ? They are much better equipped to handle such planning in that they can much more easily cooprdinate between neighboring states to lend support in terms of manpower and shelter, and they have many more resources at their disposal to make certain that the evacuation is as orderly and prompt as is possible.

We aren't talking about the evacuation of a few hundred people here, Brenda. It's completely unrealistic to expect a single local or state government to be able to manage something on the massive scale of the evacuation of a major city. They have neither the resources nor the manpower to do so.

 

[ThAnswr]

I think she did ask ''who is in charge?'' on post 5 (?). If you don't have an answer or just don't want to, fine. But sheesh, thread starters aren't limited to one question, as far as I know.

And I answered the OP on post 2 before the question morphed.

 

[BuckNaked]

We aren't talking about the evacuation of a few hundred people here, Brenda. It's completely unrealistic to expect a single local or state government to be able to manage something on the massive scale of the evacuation of a major city. They have neither the resources nor the manpower to do so.

It seems that other cities have been able to do it without federal interference.

 

[peachgirl]

Who's responsible depends on the severity of the disaster.

When the disaster is of such a magnitude that the local or state governments don't have the resources to handle it, the federal gov't has the responsibility to step in.

I assume we're talking catastrophes and not things like a tree limb fell on my house during a hail storm.

I don't recall a disaster that required the complete evacuation of well over 1 million people, and that's just the New Orleans area.