A Scary Thought
FEMA (the Federal Emergency Managment Agency) gets a lot of flak for being unprepared when major disasters take place. But a recently floated 2001 FEMA report on the three most likely disasters to strike the United States must give those critics pause. The three: a terrorist attack on New York City, a hurricane devastating New Orleans and a major earthquake in California. With two out of three having occured, maybe it is time for California to bone up on preparation for a big quake. "Drop, duck and cover" as I was taught in elementary school may simply not be enough in many of the most vulnerable locations across the state. The obvious follow-up question to the FEMA report is that if those are the most likely disasters, what is FEMA doing (or has FEMA done) to prepare? |
Comments on "A Scary Thought"
Let's keep in mind the concept of federalism.
The STATES are the ones with the primary duty to prepare for these contingencies.
In CA, The Governor's Office of Emergency Services has prepared plans for every contingency, and then some.
While some may have differing views, no one can say that OES is behind the ball on any level.
FEMA only comes into play during a presidentially declared disaster.
And, contrary to the unknowledgeable, CA is a signatory to the ICDDC, as are all other 50 States.
Don't let the media fool you into thinking we don't have a compact with the other states. The EMAC is a mediocre document with language stolen directly from the ICDDC by the southern states following Hurricane Andrew.
California is prepared.
As far as if "California is prepared," I only can hope.