Military to Bush: U.S. needs search-rescue plan

[Nelson Atwell]

According to this article (see link), it appears that the military may become the lead agency in charge of recovery from major natural disasters (instead of FEMA). It is nice to know there is so much confidence and trust put in the military.

 

[Gerald Pierce]

I hope that is why. We have the resources and equipment, we have the training. It does not matter if we evacuate Iraqi's or Americans, the proceedure is the same.



What I don't hope is that they think it is easier to hold the military accountable... sure the pres can get rid of the folks he appoints in the civil service, but further down the food chain, it's hard to get rid of a non-performing civil servant. Military, NJP/Court martial/Etc and discharge them. Mr. Brown was not the only person not doing their job in this situation, but he is the only one you see gone, and he supposedly quit.



If you or I failed to do our job and the result was that dramatic, you can bet we would be all over the news.....

 

[Gypsy me]

It's because the military can go in and get the job done without question. NO wishy washy guessing, it's just Here is the situation, here is the goal, and this is what we are doing to get it done attitude. I rather like that much better and would feel much more confident that folks in disaster areas in the US would get the right response and help when and where it's needed.



Way to go!

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I think the uniform has something to do with it too. If a guy wearing jeans and a FEMA t-shirt tells you that you can't enter a neighborhood, you just drive around behind his back. If a private, airman or seaman tells you not to enter, you assume the guy/gal actually knows what they're talking about. It doesn't matter that he or she is only 18, or has an M-16 -- you just listen. He/she wouldn't be there in the first place, if it wasn't dangerous to be there.

 

[Gypsy me]

yes Uniform helps after all all our Armed forces have the sharpest threads worldwide.

 

[Ryan Schaecher]

I just wonder about using the military as a domestic police force.... I know there are laws, but is this the start of another slippery slope?

 

[Johnny O]

I just wonder about using the military as a domestic police force.... I know there are laws, but is this the start of another slippery slope?

Thus far, legally, the military is not the responder to emergencies. Although they'd probably do the best job, thus far it's really the National Guard and (for what it's worth ) FEMA's department. Congress would have to make some new laws if they want to do that.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

In Mexico there's no equivalent agency to FEMA, it is the Army that takes care of emergencies (since war is not business, and could hardly win one), but the results are quick and efficient.

 

[walter clark]

I just hope that if we decide to formalize the use of millitary units in disasters that we give them the funding and resources and not just strech them thiner to save a buck. I think as well though that as long as they are working hand in hand with local law enforcement (city,county,and state) that the policing issue will be ok. It would be more of an assist in those types of situiations than total millitary police force. From what I have read lately on the whole NO situation that the Coast Gaurd was very highly praised for it's ability to respond and lack of red tape BS keeping them from doing what was right.

 

[Rich Stern]

Ah, yes, once again, let's take the easy, expedient road. Why fix the real problems when we can plug in quick solutions that will eventually doom us?



The founding fathers are spinning in their graves.

 

[Mark B]

The military does lots of things well: effective school systems, good medical care and a no-nonsense justice system. Do we hand those over as well?



Hey, I'd like nothing better than to have air-lifted Seabees keep my roads clear of snow this winter. That way the other 49 states help defray the cost of living in a snow-prone area.



I'll hop on the 'against' bandwagon. The military is an invaluable resource but not the cure-all for poor emergency response. Fix the problem, appoint/elect competent leadership and leave the National Guard alone for use in our nation.

 

[Dale Carlson]

I'd agree with Rich, but from a different sentiment. As a 26-year veteran, I can't say I like to see "mission creep" - that phenomenom where they keep piling on additional duties, until you reach the point that you don't have the resources to focus on your primary mission.



That said, I 'd like to see our country's leaders fix FEMA, and do that by following our military command structure as a model. That stovepiped "everything goes to Washington" structure needs to be flattened out like a pancake so that the guys and gals in the field can get things done. The only thing that D.C. should be doing in emergencies is listening intently, making strategic decisions, and providing the field what they need.

 

[Rich Stern]

That said, I 'd like to see our country's leaders fix FEMA, and do that by following our military command structure as a model. That stovepiped "everything goes to Washington" structure needs to be flattened out like a pancake so that the guys and gals in the field can get things done. The only thing that D.C. should be doing in emergencies is listening intently, making strategic decisions, and providing the field what they need.

That will happen when Washington thinks in terms of lives instead of votes.



Don't hold your breath.