Federal Emergency Management Agency Created in 1803, they were a bit of a national joke until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2006 and then they went through an amazing reformation and emerged as a very lean and well-run organization.
I am involved in local emergency agencies doing amateur radio and have also been involved in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for the last ten years or so. Emergencies are not an "IF" scenario, they are a "WHEN" scenario. FEMA created a series of online training courses which are perfect for amateur responders such as myself as well as for professional police, fire and medical responders looking to up their game.
These training materials in part establish a structure of "Incident Command" - who does what. The beauty of this is that local civilians can respond to an emergency and when the professionals arrive, the command structure is already in place and they can slot themselves into the situation. Communications and operational efficiency is enhanced. I also like that amateur radio is considered to be a core component in communications - its use is encouraged.
Because I am involved with them, I get periodic emails.
Got one this morning that made me sick to my stomach.
From the FEMA website:
2022–2026
FEMA Strategic Plan
Building the FEMA our nation needs and deserves.
The 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan outlines a bold vision and three ambitious goals designed to address key challenges the agency faces during a pivotal moment in the field of emergency management.
Wide-ranging and long-term, the goals defined in the plan respond to the changing landscape in which we find ourselves. While some activities in this plan can be quickly realized, some will require efforts through 2026.
The plan outlines three bold, ambitious goals to meet this challenge. These goals position FEMA to address the increasing range and complexity of disasters, support the diversity of communities we serve, and complement the nation’s growing expectations of the emergency management community.
And the goals:
Three Bold, Ambitious Goals
The goals and objectives laid out in the Plan will help ensure success for our agency, emergency management community, and those we serve.
Goal 1: Instill equity as a foundation of emergency management
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......... Equity has zero place in a disaster. Equity IS a disaster.
The rest is just as good:
Goal 2: Lead whole of community in climate resilience
Goal 3: Promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation
Just a fluffy do-nothing word salad. Climate Resilience? Give me a fscking break.
This is so sad. FEMA was a shining light of how a government agency should be run. Now? It is WOKE and ruined.
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