Tuesday, April 04, 2006
FEMA confusion
i spoke to some people at FEMA today... what a dysfunctual agency!
the local FEMA liason in new orleans thinks that the closing of the base camps is a done deal, since she's been told not to take any more reservations from volunteer groups to stay there after April 10. she said volunteers and the groups "sponsoring" them are basically on their own. while there may have been some activity behind the scenes, since the decision to extend the camps would have to come from FEMA on high, the local groups should resign themselves and create contingency plans.
the people i reached in DC headquarters were clueless, and either claimed to know nothing of the situation, or told me to call other offices.
however, the guy i spoke to in the fema regional office (which covers lousisiana) knew exactly what i was talking about and seemed to say with a verbal equivelent of a "wink, wink" that "he was legally not allowed to talk about future contracts". hmm. maybe something is potentially happening behind the scenes after all. but who to pressure in FEMA to make it happen?
tomorrow i'm calling some senators... come join in the fun...
Senator Vitter (LA)
Phone: (202) 224-4623
Fax: (202) 228-5061
Senator Landreiu (LA)
Voice: (202)224-5824
Fax:(202) 224-9735
and whoever represents you, wherever you live.
the local FEMA liason in new orleans thinks that the closing of the base camps is a done deal, since she's been told not to take any more reservations from volunteer groups to stay there after April 10. she said volunteers and the groups "sponsoring" them are basically on their own. while there may have been some activity behind the scenes, since the decision to extend the camps would have to come from FEMA on high, the local groups should resign themselves and create contingency plans.
the people i reached in DC headquarters were clueless, and either claimed to know nothing of the situation, or told me to call other offices.
however, the guy i spoke to in the fema regional office (which covers lousisiana) knew exactly what i was talking about and seemed to say with a verbal equivelent of a "wink, wink" that "he was legally not allowed to talk about future contracts". hmm. maybe something is potentially happening behind the scenes after all. but who to pressure in FEMA to make it happen?
tomorrow i'm calling some senators... come join in the fun...
Senator Vitter (LA)
Phone: (202) 224-4623
Fax: (202) 228-5061
Senator Landreiu (LA)
Voice: (202)224-5824
Fax:(202) 224-9735
and whoever represents you, wherever you live.
