FEMA Director's day-late request for assistance from HS

[Terry]

http://wid.ap.org/documents/dhskatrina.pdf

[Pellice]

And their duties! "Brown’s memo told employees that among their duties, they would be expected to “convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public.”

Guess that didn't work out. I don't think this was a failure of bureaucracy or bureaucrats - the "little people" are the ones getting things done. It was a failure of leadership.

[oneness]

And not a single word in the "role" description about providing actual physical relief to those affected. They will just "make referrals for appropriate assistance." ... i.e. pass the buck.

--

"Role of Assigned Personnel:
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with disaster affected communities and the citizens of those communities. Collect and disseminate information and make referrals for appropriate assistance. Identification of potential issues within the community and reporting to appropriate personnel. Convey a positive image of disaster operations to government officials, community organizations and the general public. Perform outreach with community leaders on available Federal disaster assistance."