No matter how well prepared one is for natural disaster, there is *always* some way to improve it. I don't believe that any agency was quite prepared for this disaster. There are certianly things that, in hindsight, we can now look at and say, "It's stupid that x, y, or z were not done!" The major problem is likely going to be the same problem that plagues every project that involves more than one person. Lack of information, an inability to coordinate, determining who has authority to make costly decisions, etc. In this case there is no communications path. It takes a day for most relief agencies to stage their operations, but they have to wait for instructions and authorization before they can enact their plans. The Red Cross can't just truck in there and start distributing supplies they first have to - Assess the situation - Analyze where best to place resources - Gain authorization and plan both entrance and escape routes - Maintain communication with each group and a dozen other tasks. Furthermore the disaster is of such a magnitude that you can't simply break everyone off into groups and let them do their own thing - the entire organization has to work together, and that can be difficult due to the way these organizations are structured. That's just one organization. In this case we have to coordinate the efforts of, at minimum, 5 federal and national organizations. These efforts are stymied by lack of adequate communications. You can't send your group out there until you have a way of contacting them at any time, and vice versa. The ARRL is trying to send in the hams, but that's yet another organization that has to get authorization. Lastly, once people within the city started shooting at helicopters... Well, everyone pretty much pulled back and waited (and in some places is still waiting) for law enforcement. But the reality is that we're focussing on one city that was 90% evacuated by the time the flooding occured. Over 90,000 square miles were severely damaged by the hurricane, and there are far more people who need help outside the tragedy that is New Orleans than there are inside that need help. Those rescue and relief operations are, very likely, running much more efficiently and smoothly than the televised chaos we are currently consuming. Let's do finger pointing, oh, say next year. -Adam On 9/2/05, Sean Schouten wrote: > What happened to the thousands of troops that should be delivering aid and > such on the home-front in the us? I would of thought that the mighty > military would be busy with full-scale rescue and aid operations, which they > don't seem to have running. In my eyes it's more like the odd soldier has > been sent on some field trip in which they have been instructed to shoot > anything that moves and has some personal item in it's arm, there for > remotely resembling a looter. I don't even seem to spot too many 'troops' on > television. Whenever I do, they seem to be busy shooting looters rather than > helping people. > > You don't have to tell me that tragedy has unfolded in New-Orleans; I can > see that with my own two eyes. I just keep on wondering why George W Bush > doesn't push to increase aid and rescue efforts. I would almost suspect him > of being afraid not to get a bonus by spending the federal money reserves > (is there even any money?) on what they should be spent on! Fort Knox, open > ye doors! > > I remember that a documentary on discovery stated that the Dutch can learn a > thing or two from the US when it comes to water management. I wonder how > that can be the case if the dutch have been at it for over 700 years? I > don't think that New Orleans is even that old... I know that I sound like a > total bastard, but the part about the dutch learning a thing or two actually > made me laugh. > > One thing I found terrible is the shear stupidity that has overcome some > people. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw some people crawl out of the > sewer they where hiding in! Isn't that the dumbest place to hide in case of > flooding etc? > > Anyhow. I do wish all the poor souls lots and lots of luck and hope that > this is an eye opener for others. > > Sean. > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist