@WL Re: $SPAM+++++++++ Re: [Vision2020] Of Deltas and CO2

[Tom Hansen]

Mr. Harkins -

Although I have virtually as much experience in emergency management as
FEMA's Brown (none), I would have:

1)  Identified sufficient temporary holding facilities outside of "harm's
way" to temporarily house approximately 500,000 people.

2)  Realizing that transportation would be a problem, established central
rallying points for buses (and other similar type vehicles capable of
transporting large numbers of people).

3)  The city would maintain an information repository of "who lives where".
Once the names on the "who lives where" list are all reflected on a
consolidated list of those residents who have arrived at the "central
rallying points" (see #2, above), authorities would be more confident that
everybody is accounted for.  If not, at least they will know where they
live.

4)  Ensure that sufficient food is available at the rallying points, along
with a wide range of other emergency management personnel (Red Cross and
other relief systems).  Names of ALL evacuees would be consolidated and
provided to FEMA.  This way if Aunt Martha wants to know if little Johnny is
alive and well, she will know who to contact.  Too many lists tends to
confuse the system.  One list, one list manager.

5)  Evacuees that are not ambulatory should be medically evacuated via
aircraft out of New Orleans Airport or hospital ship (that I understand was
till docked in Baltimore on Thursday).

6)  A multitude of emergency generators and sufficient fuel to keep them
operating for a minimum of 96 hours would be placed at various rallying
points and strategic locations along I-10, secured by national guard and/or
local/state police.

All of this (and much, much more) could have been adopted as policy years
ago.  All of this (and much, much more) could have been instigated on
Tuesday (August 29, 2005), FOUR DAYS BEFORE HORRIBLE SUNDAY, when FEMA's
Brown acknowledged Katrina's potential.

I could go into further detail concerning a wide range of various other
related relief and evac activities, but I am sure that you get the idea.

Not bad for a part-time UI IH that does not work for FEMA, huh?

Take care, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown
 

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Jeff Harkins
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 9:48 PM
To: Andreas Schou; vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: @WL Re: $SPAM+++++++++ Re: [Vision2020] Of Deltas and CO2

I am just curious Andreas, what, exactly would you have done?

Now remember, the storm veered east just before 
landfall and had dropped from a Cat 5 to a Cat 4; 
the news reports noted high winds, heavy rain in 
and around NO, but no "catastrophic damage."  As 
I recall, the state officials had recommended 
evacuation, but it was not mandatory........ it 
wasn't until the next day that "mandatory evac" was ordered..........

Power was lost (total darkness), and no landline 
communications and most cell phones were out (no 
towers).  There was no evidence of a breach in 
the levee ,,,,,,,,,,, the media was reporting 
that the worst appeared to be over 
.........  media attention shifted to Biloxi and 
the coastal regions east .......

The next morning, NO is beginning to flood, roads 
are completely blocked ..............

SO please, explain what, exactly, would you have done?

I did hear that so far, the "official" death 
count is 59, but it is expected to go higher.  We 
can all hope that it does not increase at all.