Nick Bilotto – 9/15/05

This page was last updated on September 15, 2005.

No repeat of history; Nick Bilotto; Beaver County Times; September 15, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Letter writer Paul Dici (‘Politics made a part of pain,’ Tuesday) wrote that the response to Hurricane Katrina by the victims would be different in Beverly Hills.

“I was in Los Angeles in the early ‘60s where they had a disastrous fire in the exclusive suburb of Bell Air (next door to Beverly Hills). They evacuated thousands and cordoned off the area after the fire to all except residents. Looting occurred. Eighty percent of those arrested were residents of the area. Those people were not taking food or water in a life-threatening emergency, but items like their neighbors jewelry and art objects.

“I do not believe that politics or racism played any part in the response. I do note that there were differences between President Bush’s responses to Katrina vs. Ivan a year ago. The president did declare a disaster area the Friday before the hurricane much as he did in Florida. That gives FEMA the power to take over emergency services command and control.”

[RWC] As most of us, including so-called news reporters, Mr. Bilotto doesn’t know what he’s talking about regarding FEMA. Declaring a disaster area doesn’t give “FEMA the power to take over emergency services command and control.” All declaring a disaster area does is allow FEMA to preposition personnel and resources. Unless a president wants to declare an insurrection, the feds cannot take control from local and state governments. Further, this is not a task for which FEMA is equipped or manned. FEMA’s total employment is only about 2,600.

“Unlike Florida, where he arrived before the rain stopped, he stayed on vacation for two more days.”

[RWC] I don’t know about Louisiana, but Mississippi requested President Bush to delay an onsite visit because they were too busy to prepare for a presidential visit.

“Until he arrived, FEMA appeared shell shocked. Of course, Louisiana and New Orleans failed to properly evacuate before the storm and made mistakes afterward.”

[RWC] I believe this paragraph again shows a misunderstanding of FEMA’s role. FEMA is not a first responder. It can’t do law enforcement, rescue, et cetera. FEMA’s role is to aid recovery AFTER a disaster, not during. Further, most of FEMA’s activity is directed by the needs provided to it by the state and local governments.

“There is plenty of blame to spread around, but politics should stay out of it. We all need to step back and evaluate the emergency response systems to ensure we are prepared.

“Agencies like the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and the many church ministries are vital to providing necessities.

“We as individuals must also take some responsibility to be prepared to be on our own for several days. Hurricanes usually have warnings; other disasters usually do not.”

[RWC] True.