SHANNON KELLY
Assistant Perspectives Editor
The Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency has been a main target of Katrina relief criticism. As part of the Department of Homeland Security, the organization is responsible for the government’s response to any national emergency or disaster. Because most people are holding the government responsible for the disappointing relief efforts in New Orleans, FEMA is under much scrutiny. Although the organization is partly responsible, FEMA still shouldn’t shoulder all of the blame for the failure. State and local officials are equally, if not more, responsible than FEMA for Katrina’s disastrous aftermath.
President Jimmy Carter created FEMA in 1979 when his executive order merged many of the separate disaster-related responsibilities into one agency. Since then, the federal organization has responded to and helped people recover from disasters ranging from earthquakes and tornadoes to chemical spills and terrorist attacks. In March 2003, it became a part of Homeland Security. The official Web site says, “FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident.”
FEMA also runs the National Flood Insurance Program and maps the nation’s flood plains to identify flood hazards. As part of the program, it is supposed to work with state and local officials to minimize flood risks. But one reason Katrina was such a disaster is failed precautions.
Federal response should have been quicker, and criticism of the government’s relief tactics has been warranted. FEMA’s response was so disorganized and delayed that Michael D. Brown, the director who was in charge of overseeing federal Katrina relief, resigned on Monday. The White House is aware of FEMA’s insufficiencies and on Friday, spokesman Scott McCLellan told the Los Angeles Times, “We are in a number of ways making changes and adjustments to make sure where things aren’t working, that they are working.”
But why aren’t there more fingers pointed at local officials and the Louisiana state government? In America, responsibility first lies in the individual. Granted, many incidences are beyond what any single person can handle. This is where state government should step in. In fact, it is the state government’s duty to carry out pre-hurricane measures and to follow through with enacted emergency plans.
After a disaster strikes, the local government is primarily responsible for the first response. However, New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, is placing almost every ounce of blame on the federal government. I’m pointing at Nagin.
On the city’s Web site, the “City of New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan” stipulates local government responsibility. The plan states: “As established by the City of New Orleans Charter, the government has jurisdiction and responsibility in disaster response. City government shall coordinate its efforts through the Office of Emergency Preparedness.”
Has Nagin read the emergency management plan? If he has, he would have seen the part where it clearly states that in the case of a disaster, decisions regarding evacuation and first response lie with the governor, mayor and local authorities: “The authority to order the evacuation of residents threatened by an approaching hurricane is conferred to the Governor by Louisiana statute. The Governor is granted the power to direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from a stricken or threatened area within the State, if he deems this action necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response or recover. The same power to order an evacuation conferred upon the Governor is also delegated to each political subdivision of the State by Executive Order. This authority empowers the chief elected official of New Orleans, the Mayor of New Orleans, to order the evacuation of the parish residents threatened by an approaching hurricane.”
The focus of blame mainly has been centered on the first 48 hours of federal response. Nagin had 48 hours of warning before Katrina blasted his city. Although he knew many residents were car-less, he didn’t order city transportation to evacuate them. He had an advanced federal warning that a Category 4 or 5 hurricane was imminent but didn’t turn to or adequately follow through with his city’s emergency management plan. The plan confirms that New Orleans officials knew that evacuation of the civilian population was the primary responsibility of the city government and Nagin’s negligible regard for the plan pinpoints his liability.
As emotional sentiments overwhelm Americans, it is hard to clearly reflect on particular technicalities, such as who is directly at fault for unnecessary and further suffering. Even if FEMA and Louisiana’s state government had responded perfectly and efficiently, nothing could have stopped Katrina’s power from devastating the region.
So regardless of who is culpable, thousands of people’s lives will never be the same, and focusing time and energy on trying to figure out who is blameworthy won’t set their futures back on track. It won’t get their homes back or help them find lost loved ones. There are many organizations working hard and channeling donations to Katrina victims. Right now people are suffering and individuals should push politics aside, privately donate money, and finish the blame game another time.
09-15-2005