Response to Disasters

Isn’t it amazing how “we” have a need to blame a person, or political party, we don’t like for something that has gone wrong regardless if the blame is deserving. Are “we” that insecure that we have to make ourselves feel better by “tearing” down another (or at least their reputation)?

Democrats were relentless in their attacks on George W. Bush and Republicans following Hurricane Katrina (some criticism was justified but not most), yet seemed to ignore the democrats in power at the local and state levels that refused to activate their emergency evacuation plans, or to even declare a state of emergency that would have allowed more of a federal response sooner. People also seemed to suffer amnesia about the fortifications and improvements that had been paid for not being done.

Oh, don’t get defensive; the Republicans aren’t squeaky clean in this area either. You have the current disaster in the Gulf, then there is Three Mile Island, Exxon Valdez, I could go on and on for both parties. While Oil continues to gush out at anywhere from 5,000 to 40,000 barrels per day Congress is holding hearings. People have to take time away from trying to figure out how to stop this in order to travel to Washington so Congress can have a photo op. Oh, and while we’re at it lets crash BP stock value. I’m not siding with BP, but if you expect the company to pay for the cleanup, for stopping the “leak”, for the economic impact to companies, communities, individuals, BP has to remain solvent (no pun intended).

I have a novel concept; put the blame where it belongs. However, fix the problem first so it won’t happen again! You would think that the government would learn from the past and correct problems regarding the response to emergencies and disasters, but they still screw up! Sorry but there is no other way to describe it, if the government were a person he/ she would have been diagnosed as being ADD and put on medication a long time ago. Had there been the internet, Blogs, YouTube, and 24 hour cable news when the Exxon Valdez occurred I bet the public outcry would have been even greater.

As I mentioned in my previous posting I think a part of the problem is career politicians, and that is a shame because they should be able to point to the “Fed” response to disasters as a shining example of why we need to have a career/ experienced Congressman or woman. Instead people are able to use it as a glaring example of what’s wrong, or how having career politicians is a detriment to public safety. Since twenty years (20) seems to be a “bench mark” that is commonly used, let me use that time period to illustrate my point. Instead of making an all inclusive list I’m only going to talk about those events that I’ve been affected by, or involved in personally with the exception of the current Oil Spill/ disaster taking place in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Andrew At the time it was the worst storm to affect the U.S. since tracking had begun. I was working for the Miami Police Department at the time and had family and friends living in the southern part of Dade County (now Miami-Dade County). Private industry responded much quicker than government. After the first couple of days when it was apparent that governments (Federal and state) weren’t reacting to the aftermath and devastation, law enforcement officers from around the country volunteered and came down to help (they worried about their entity approving after the fact). When the government finally reacted, Army Airborne and National Guard troops were sent to help patrol the area. Other branches eventually set up flights to move materials and equipment into the area. However, the beauocracy was such that curfews, roadblocks, checkpoints and curfews were in place until after the New Year.

9/11 Terror Attacks First let me say something positive, I was impressed as I watched the endless line of aircraft approaching to land at Miami International Airport. They kept coming in one immediately after the other, we commented that a pilot better not slow down or hesitate once his wheels touched down or else he/ she would have another aircraft run them over.

Also, for those that like to criticize government employees and the “unions”, this part is for you.


When the attacks occurred, many police departments, like Miami PD, contacted NYPD and offered help. They were told that no help was needed (NYPD seemed indignant that others would think they needed help). Some of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) officers contacted the New York State Lodge to see if they needed help and to let them know what NYPD’s response was to the offers. The NY FOP people called NYPD, the governor, and others and expressed what they thought of the attitude and refusal of help. Within hours NYPD apologized, admitted that the situation was more than they could handle alone and welcomed help.

Those government, public employee union people that it is so fashionable to criticize now responded to New York and D.C. to help. They went on their own; using personal time rather than wait for some bureaurocrat to make a decision, and not worrying about if their entity would cover them if they got injured. All they knew was that people, citizens and fellow emergency service brethren needed help.

As far as the first crew from Miami were concerned it was time to pay back NYPD for their help after Hurricane Andrew. NYPD people and the NY FOP were among the first to respond to us after Andrew, they came with food, clothing, construction supplies, and the determination to stand posts and go on patrol so we could get some rest and care for our families. One final thought about those that responded to 9/11, despite the health issues that many are suffering that have been linked to their being in NY or at Ground Zero, I have yet to meet anyone that would not respond all over again even knowing what they do now.

Then there was Hurricane Katrina and the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. You would have thought that “we” had learned and stopped publicizing these disasters, that we would respond first, help those in need and then afterwards determine the true cause and deal with it. However, we still have to place blame immediately, even before we have any facts to support our position. Like the old saying “My mind’s made up, don’t confuse me with facts.”

When disasters occur our politicians just about kill each other trying to get in front of the TV cameras first. There are so many times and situations in which people can honestly (and justly) blame one party or the other, disasters should be one of those situations in which the politics takes a break. We’re never going to get any better at responding if we keep using the opportunity to verbally attack our opponents.

Give me a politician that will respond immediately, ensure that the damage is fixed and those in need and injured are taken care of. Then do a true fact finding investigation to learn the truth before placing blame without worrying if he had a good “sound bite” for the news, give me that and I’ll vote for that person for as long as they want to run.

The government’s response to disasters is a good reason for term limits. Yeah, you will lose experience, but what good has experience done us so far, has it stopped the spread of the oil into the marshes and wetlands? Maybe what we lose in experience will be overcome by a desire to care for our fellow citizen without concern for how we can profit. I’m to the point where enthusiasm and desire to do what is right, to employ the Golden Rule, is WAY MORE appealing than experience.

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours