Following "X" ...Warning Very Long

[Downdraft]

I'm going to tell you why things took so long not so you can bash it but understand it and as citizens think about how it goes in a real disaster so you can make yourselves better prepared if you find yourself in the middle of a mess like this. Let's follow "X" through the initial phases of a disaster.

Day One. The fire department responding to the disaster decides they need "X" immediately. The units on the ground request "X" through their chain of command. Fire Department command does not have "X" in the quanities needed. In many EOC's the fire department is designated ESF (Emergency Support Function) 4. ESF 4 is notified at the city EOC. 4 then messages all other ESF's to identify if "X" is present. The answer is no. The city EOC then messages the State EOC requesting X. The State EOC searches their inventories to identify "X." The state determines there are not sufficent quanities of "X" to meet the need.

Day Two. Since a declaration of disaster has been signed already the State notifies FEMA of the need. FEMA then searches the national database for inventory and FEMA finds half of "X" in a warehouse in Atlanta and the other half in a warehouse outside Los Angeles. Both locations are messaged to prepare "X" for shipment to New Orleans. Coordination is now made on how both locations will move "X" to New Orleans. Transportation needs to be coordinated to move "X" and labor staffed to get the job done.

Day Three. "X" is now ready to ship. However, "X" needs a place to be brought into if it is flown an airport identified to land at. If it is trucked or sent by rail a staging area needs to be identified and set up to store "X". On the receiving end "X" needs to be off loaded and warehoused. Handling materials also have to be found to get that done. "X" is now on it's way to New Orleans.

Day Four. "X" arrives and material handling begins downloading it and a transportation system identified to get it into the area. The total area is flooded so it can only be moved by helicopter. But, all helicopters are busy saving lives so another need is generated to bring in helicopters to handle material supplies. The helicopters now will need landing areas, fueling areas, etc. The military receives the request and processes it.

This is a very over simplified but accurate example of how it works. The clock keeps ticking and people keep dying. Can we do it better? Perhaps we could have started the ball rolling earlier but I can't second guess the decision making process prior to the hurricane. Logistics takes time which is why we tell everyone your on your own for up to a week in any disaster. Be prepared and take care of yourselves cause no one else will be a position to take care of you for that period of time at least.

[Cookiely]

General Onore is giving some very good information on the time line and logistics. The helcopters and personel were sent away from the storm and it took time to get them back. Your answer concerning X is great and should be sent to CNN. Perhaps it will help people to understand better. I'm going to print it out for my mother who is driving me batty. I've tried to explain but I must not be doing a very good job. Perhaps your information will help her understand.

[THead]

I think what alot of people are saying is that "x"'s need should have been foreseen, and a sufficient quantity of it should have been in place within the area.

[themusk]

I think what alot of people are saying is that "x"'s need should have been foreseen, and a sufficient quantity of it should have been in place within the area.

That's right. "X" should have been prepositioned. And there are reports of "X" sitting unused just down the road from where it was desperately needed. Furthermore, in a disaster, it is legal for the government to take "X" from whatever nearby private party owns it, and use it.

The system works very well, when it works, and the time frame you're describing is not usually how slowly it operates (example: 9/11). The problem is that there doesn't appear to have been the number of or right kind of prepositioned assets, assets which were nearby and available haven't been used on a timely basis, and above all, there appears to have been a breakdoiwn in the command and control structure.

[simplykristi]

If I remember correctly, FEMA was in LA before the storm ever came onshore. If I understand Mike Brown was in LA the day before Katrina hit. A state of disaster was implemented by the President before the storm hit.

Kristi

[THead]

If I remember correctly, FEMA was in LA before the storm ever came onshore. If I understand Mike Brown was in LA the day before Katrina hit. A state of disaster was implemented by the President before the storm hit.

Kristi

Too bad they didn't bring any "X" with them!

[shaggy]

I think this is a excellent example of how it really works. Also as far as for prepositioning it works up to a point but in this case the flooding and looting and lack of local goverment prevented it from being issued properly. I also do not understand for the life of me why the local goverment opened the superdome as a last resort shelter but did not have enough food or water for 3-5 days, heck they did not even have enough for one or two.
After hurricane floyd we had a similar although smaller scale event the first day after the storm it seemed as if we made it thru but then the flooding started and it was 2-4 days before large scale relief effort was in place. I think we will learn a lot from all the mistakes so there will not be a next time.