By: William R. Cumming

William R. Cumming — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:14:15 +0000

Okay here goes. FEMA is not stronger and more capable since PKEMA of 2006! Happy to debate with anyone on specifics any time any place. Why? No really tough capability assessment has been done on FEMA and its missions, programs, functions, activities since fall of 2006 when that statute became law (became effective March 31, 2007). Last really tough capability assessment conducted on the behalf of Director Julius Becton in 1988 by Dr. John Powers and FEMA flunked that assessment after detailed analysis of program, functions and activities assigned FEMA in its missions. There was however an excellent mission statement adopted by Director Becton even though James Lee Witt later adopted a different version while announcing it was the first for FEMA. Okay so where does that leave us? Just as the audit of events often reveals the truth about FEMA capability it will again. Why wait? Because most of the people involved in the top-echelons really and truly believe IT WON’T HAPPEN ON MY WATCH! Wow what an operating and policy viewpoint. FEMA CANNOT operate 24/7 in any event lasting 30 days or more or multiple sites and extended geographic impacts. How to fix? Well I would start with a new baseline assessment conducted by a tough panel of outsiders. FEMA has NOT adopted NIMS or the NRF despite what some think. Just look at training records on these key doctrines for its employees and officials (oh that is correct FEMA does not really have any system to do so.) So let’s conduct a no-notice exercise of top FEMA staff within next 30 days lasting 3-5 days and led by Fugate. And he should make sure those that show up in first 24 hours are told to go home and rest because they are considered casulties of the incidents and events of the exericise and their “Trained” and “qualified” replacements will conduct exercise activities. Allow all of this to be done under the watchful eye of other components of DHS, OIG-DHS, GAO, Congressional Staff and of course the Press. Hey let’s find out if we are getting what we paid for or are really ostriches also?

By: Freddie

Freddie — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:22:56 +0000

I’m also interested in why the questioners appear to focus on the operational achievements versus the strategic and policy vision the candidates have. Are these candidates deemed “shoe-ins”– they have neither dirty laundry to be aired nor pose threats to any members of Congress (or his/her programs, pets, etc)?

By: Arnold

Arnold — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:37:44 +0000

From Fugate’s opening statement, I’d say the FEMA in/out issue may be answered: in.

Comments on: DHS nominees appear before Senate committee

By: William R. Cumming

By: Freddie

By: Arnold