FEMA & Natural Disasters | FEMA reform or dissolution?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nycfan
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies: 112
  • Views: 2K
  • Politics 
If it would just get resources to a warehouse (like trump said in the video) and that ended their involvement then that would be an improvement. its the "coordinating" that becomes the problem. In the first disaster (Hugo) I went through, and participated in, I honestly don't remember fema's involvement. We did have thousands of people from multiple states, numerous charities, and numerous corporate volunteers and contributions involved. The cities of Charleston, N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Hanahan, Summerville, etc. were fantastic, as was the state g'ment. Things moved rapidly. I don't think fema could have caused things to happen any faster. I was both impacted by it and a participant in the rebuilding process. Almost all g'ment red tape was sidelined for a period of time. Shit just flowed faster than I could have ever imagined and was caught off guard on the rebuilding side because I expected g'ment red tape to take longer. Effective governors have the ability to move mountains when they have the financial resources.
FEMA already does just get the resources to a warehouse. It is and has ALWAYS been the responsibility of state and local agencies to take it from there. Even the labor provided by FEMA is supervised and managed by the locals in the community.
 
If it would just get resources to a warehouse (like trump said in the video) and that ended their involvement then that would be an improvement. its the "coordinating" that becomes the problem. In the first disaster (Hugo) I went through, and participated in, I honestly don't remember fema's involvement. We did have thousands of people from multiple states, numerous charities, and numerous corporate volunteers and contributions involved. The cities of Charleston, N. Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Hanahan, Summerville, etc. were fantastic, as was the state g'ment. Things moved rapidly. I don't think fema could have caused things to happen any faster. I was both impacted by it and a participant in the rebuilding process. Almost all g'ment red tape was sidelined for a period of time. Shit just flowed faster than I could have ever imagined and was caught off guard on the rebuilding side because I expected g'ment red tape to take longer. Effective governors have the ability to move mountains when they have the financial resources.
FEMA was basically brand new when Hugo hit. It had never managed a disaster like that and it was completely revamped afterward, largely using lessons learned. It’s an immeasurably more effective agency now than it was 37 years ago. If you talk to the people who actually know what’s going on in WNC right now, they’ll testify to FEMA’s vital importance.
 
FEMA was basically brand new when Hugo hit. It had never managed a disaster like that and it was completely revamped afterward, largely using lessons learned. It’s an immeasurably more effective agency now than it was 37 years ago. If you talk to the people who actually know what’s going on in WNC right now, they’ll testify to FEMA’s vital importance.
I have had two involvements with FEMA. One in NC and one in SC. I didn't see the advertised value add in either case. I'm not arguing that they don't provide some value. Especially to those who might be less sophisticated in understanding certain things or might not have the same resources. I haven't paid much attention to FEMA in the aftermath of the floods in WNC. I should probably spend some time looking at it. I made a comfortable living in analyzing processes and eliminating waste. As such, I'm just inclined to default to eliminating as much red tape as possible and letting the folks most impacted (individual states) drive the bus. So if we aren't talking about eliminating funding, just the red tape that goes with it, I'm a fan for trying it. I ran into friend of mine recently who's son was attending divinity school. When I asked how he was doing and where he was practicing his craft, I was told that he didn't join the clergy. instead he is working for FEMA and was stationed somewhere in New England (Vermont or NH) for 6 months and would then likely be moved to another disaster location. Not sure what FEMA was working on in those states.
 
Say what you want about Franklin Graham but his organization Samaritan's Purse is an amazing organization who are usually the first ones there in emergency response situations.

 
I have had two involvements with FEMA. One in NC and one in SC. I didn't see the advertised value add in either case. I'm not arguing that they don't provide some value. Especially to those who might be less sophisticated in understanding certain things or might not have the same resources. I haven't paid much attention to FEMA in the aftermath of the floods in WNC. I should probably spend some time looking at it. I made a comfortable living in analyzing processes and eliminating waste. As such, I'm just inclined to default to eliminating as much red tape as possible and letting the folks most impacted (individual states) drive the bus. So if we aren't talking about eliminating funding, just the red tape that goes with it, I'm a fan for trying it. I ran into friend of mine recently who's son was attending divinity school. When I asked how he was doing and where he was practicing his craft, I was told that he didn't join the clergy. instead he is working for FEMA and was stationed somewhere in New England (Vermont or NH) for 6 months and would then likely be moved to another disaster location. Not sure what FEMA was working on in those states.
There are active disasters being worked by FEMA almost everywhere. Go here, and search for any particular location.


And again, that’s because FEMA is not immediate triage. Its work does not end when the immediate effects of the disaster recede. FEMA personnel stick around to be sure impacted people receive the help they need over time. That just won’t happen if you disband FEMA as Trump is proposing.
 
It is a far right group criticisizing another far right group. Which makes it even more reliable in this instance. Plus, it was just one of two links.

I can promise you that Samaritan’s Purse is far more corrupt than FEMA and that Franklin Graham is making a hell of a lot more money than the FEMA director.
You speak emotionally about this.
I speak factually about this because I've experienced it first hand.
 
You speak emotionally about this.
I speak factually about this because I've experienced it first hand.
I have nothing against SP. I am very confident the people at SP who are actually responsible for responding to disasters do NOT want Trump to do what he’s threatening to do to FEMA.
 
You speak emotionally about this.
I speak factually about this because I've experienced it first hand.
You are the one speaking emotionally about a billion dollar organization in your home town. I am just pointing out publicly available information.

As charities go, Samaritan’s purse is a poorly run and corrupt charity (and that isn’t even addressing the anti-LGBT issues, just dealing with financial skimming issue). Sure, it does some charity work - but nowhere near the amount of money it raises.

Trying to replace FEMA with organizations like Samaritan’s purse would be the exact opposite of efficiency.
 
I have nothing against SP. I am very confident the people at SP who are actually responsible for responding to disasters do NOT want Trump to do what he’s threatening to do to FEMA.
Samaraitans Purse does great things as do other groups The purpose of FEMA is to help coordinate all these efforts -as well as to give out billions in direct aid. Few if any Staes have the ability to have a FEMA type group hanging around in case there is a disaster
 
Now close your eyes and imagine Franklin Graham was a Biden supporter....
 
No it wasn't.
I have a house in the NC mountains that got flooded. 1 foot of water in my house.
Samaritan's Purse and Wine to Water both contacted me wanting to come help. We ended up getting help from Samaritan's Purse. We had double digit workers both days at my house. Each person spoke for a minute telling where they are from and why they were there. A majority came from Wisconsin and they said the only reason they were there was they heard there was a need.
Others came from Virginia and South Carolina and only a few were from NC.
Trump was correct in saying that others will come help. They will and they did.
Say what you want about Franklin Graham but his organization Samaritan's Purse is an amazing organization who are usually the first ones there in emergency response situations.
Samaritans Purse does great things They are "first responders" That is not FEMAs role They coordinate gazillions of dollars in immediate and long term aid. I hope you"get that". Samaritans Purse is very savvy media wise I have a brother that lived in Oriental, N.C and twice they had major flooding to his properties. Samaritans Purse never showed up-FEMA representatives were there in a day We need all of the above
 
Back
Top