FEMA
This is a copy of what was written by FEMA Director Michael Brown to his Homeland Security boss. Commentary below.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 500 C Street SW
Washington DC 20472
FEMA
August 29, 2005
MEMORANDUM TO: Michael Chertoff
Secretary of Homeland Security
FROM: Michael D. Brown
Under Secretary
SUBJECT: DHS Response to Katrina
We are requesting your assistance to make available DHS employees willing to deploy as soon as possible for a two-week minimum field assignment to serve in a variety of positions. We anticipate needing at least 1000 additional DHS employees within 48 hours and 2000 within 7 days. Attached is a list of requirements that employees will have to meet before deploying.
It is beneficial to use DHS employees as it allows us to be more efficient responding to the needs of this disaster and it reinforces the Department's All-Hazard's Capabilities. Also, DHS employees already have background investigations, travel cards and badges, all items that normally delay filling our surge workforce. FEMA Response and Recovery operations are a top priority of the Department and as we know, one of yours.
We will also want to identify staff with specialized skills such as bilingual capabilities,
Commercial Driver's License (CDL), and logistics capabilities.
Thank you for your consideration in helping us meet our responsibilities in this near catastrophic event.
Attachment
cc: Michael P. Jackson
Deputy Secretary
Janet Hale
Under Secretary for Management
Attachment
Requirements (for personnel):
You must have your supervisor's approval.
Contact your Human Resource Office to follow-up with FEMA Human Resource Office
You must be physically able to work in a disaster area without refrigeration for medications and have the ability to work in the outdoors all day.
Must be willing to work long hours under arduous conditions.
Role of Assigned Personnel:
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with disaster affected communities and the citizens of those communities.
Collect and disseminate information and make referrals for appropriate assistance. Identification of potential issues within the community and reporting to appropriate personnel.
Convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public.
Perform outreach with community leaders on available Federal disaster assistance. Training will be provided.
A roster of available personnel will be developed and made available as components identify personnel for deployment.
Selected personnel from the roster will be given training in Emmitsburg, Md., Atlanta, Ga., and Orlando, Fla., before you are deployed to the field. You will be expected to use goverranent credit cards (in good standing) for transportation, lodging, meals and other incidentals.
Contact your agency financial officer for information on obtaining government credit card (if you do not hold one).
Point of Contact to accept and process your assignment:
Human Resource Operations Branch, 202-646-4040
You will be walked through the system for further processing and deployment.
Deployment Information:
Selected personnel will either go to Atlanta, Ga. for Community Relations Training or Orlando, Fla., for all other Training and assignments. After which they will be deployed to a disaster Joint Field Office (FCO) when conditions are safe. Some organizational clothing and equipment will be supplied.
Type of personal supplies you should bring:
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Sun Glasses
Walking shoes
Mosquito repellant
Medication (both over the counter and prescriptions)
Valid driver's license
Government ID
Cash (ATMs may not be working)
Government equipment (cell phones, computers, blackberries, etc)
Appropriate clothing (walking shorts acceptable)
Rain gear
In the words of an editorial:
A roster of available personnel will be provided?
Stop by Atlanta, Ga., for community relations training?
Convey a positive image of disaster operations?
Don't forget your sunscreen and walking shoes?
Bring appropriate clothing, walking shorts, of course, being acceptable?
What planet was Mr. Brown on when he wrote this, as the storm raged?
Why is he still in office?"
posted by Song @ 1:05 AM
1 Comments:
People sometimes forget about the massive, natural force & power of our fragile planet.
Once again, this time in the aftermath of this very destructive storm, the rest world is witnessing the strength of the American spirit. People across the United States continue to open their wallets, homes, communities & hearts to the those directly impacted by Katrina.
Also, because the United States is a democracy, the nations of the world are observing the voices of the common man demanding action & solutions from its government.
To quote Winston Churchchill:
"Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time."
Hopefully, the winds of freedom will continue to blow new life into the hopes & dreams of the whole of mankind...
Post a Comment
<< Home