by Kevin Caruso

January 30, 2006

Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Department of Interior offered to provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with helicopters, boats, heavy equipment, rooms, and experienced search and rescue personnel.

But, inexplicably, FEMA refused the accept the help, even though the assets were being offered by another government agency.

FEMA’s declination of the offer was not only inexcusable but highly consequential – clearly, many people suffered or died because of the refusal to accept the assets.

And what was offered to FEMA?

Take a look:

• 400 Officers

• 300 Boats

• 300 Trucks

• 500 Rooms

• 11 Aircraft

• 119 Heavy Vehicles

• Experienced personnel trained in search and rescue

• Emergency personnel trained in water rescue

• Experienced personnel trained in emergency medical services

• Emergency personnel trained in evacuation

Take another look at the list above and ask yourself what kind of government agency would refuse such assets in the immediate aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States.

Answer: an agency that is completely clueless and cannot even use common sense in the midst of such a crisis.

The refusal of FEMA to immediately accept and utilize these assets is one more example of their incompetence.

FEMA is a disgrace.