Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Comments (13)

1. 

   llchrist

   With all of the earthquakes happening in the Pacific Rim, it is vital to the safety of our Hawaiian Islanders that we begin taking active steps now to be prepared for the worst case situations. Scientists are even now stating that an earthquake or sunami is long overdue in Hawaii. This means the whole coastline of California, Washington, and Oregon might be in peril too.

   I think we should deploy more rescue helicopters to our bases in and near those areas. Since so many of our troops are coming home from the Middle East they will need jobs and what better job for them than to keep them employed in positions that will help to transition them back into our society. After killing people to survive have them assist in work that helps to save lives of their fellow citizens.

   With the helicopters, just remember the quotation, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

   Spread the helicopters around, but keep them near so that they can act quickly enough when the time comes.

   This would be so much better than after the fact and having to send copters in from across the country which is too time consuming.

   Get more public safety ads started now in those communities, states and cities. Set up command centers and get captains to enlist public volunteers for training in emergency situations. Don't waste time now as this is the lull before the storm. The more prepared the population is the more lives will be saved.

   1 year ago

   3 Vote up

   5 Vote down
   1. 

      Community Member

      Rescuing people by helicopter is dangerous and their carrying capacity is limited. Most people do not know how to approach an idling helicopter on the ground. A hovering helicopter is inherently unstable thus pulling people up by a rescue sling is a risky task. The statement about soldiers is wrong. Soldiers are not trained to kill people in order to survive, but to gain dominance over a territory, which can be achieved without mindlessly killing the inhabitants. The non-lethal modes for gaining dominance over a territory can be applied to mitigating hazards.

      1 year ago

      1 Vote up

      0 Vote down
2. 

   All Hands

   The Hawaiian Islands are at risk but they have been getting attention. FEMA sponsored catastrophic planning work there recently and there are current plan updates being undertaken. The U of H is doing great work in disaster areas both locally and around the Pacific Rim.

   Of course, more work and more resources will always improve preparedness!

   1 year ago

   4 Vote up

   0 Vote down
3. 

   migavin

   Project Impact assisted many communities, was a very valuable program, and allowed Congress to see exactly where the tax dollars were being spent as well as what "bang they got for their buck".

   1 year ago

   3 Vote up

   1 Vote down
4. 

   Community Member

   Being unfamiliar with the program I located this link.

   http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Project-Impact-Initiative-to.html

   Administrator Fugates Whole Community concept appears to be along the same lines as Project Impact. Program funding seem to been limited but less restrained for Project Impact.

   1 year ago

   7 Vote up

   0 Vote down
5. 

   dibenn1

   I believe that we need a program such as Project Impact in communities for guidance.

   1 year ago

   3 Vote up

   0 Vote down
6. 

   Daniel Hahn MA, CEM, FPEM

   The Whole Community Concept that was just released is essentially the same thing. I am VERY excited about htis Whole Community drive.

   http://www.fema.gov/about/wholecommunity.shtm

   1 year ago

   2 Vote up

   0 Vote down
7. 

   paul.b.dill

   I was on the Big Island (Hawaii) during the October 2006 earthquakes and saw, first-hand, the results of Project Impact there. The most notable was the minimal infrastructure damage. The Big Island was undergoing retrofitting of bridges, which are major linkages in the highway system there. None were damaged. Hopefully, the Whole Community concept will revive some of what Project Impact was providing.

   1 year ago

   2 Vote up

   0 Vote down
8. 

   dibenn1

   FEMA should contact the local government, then who could contact their local churches, schools, businesses and they could contact their indivduals and more friends

   1 year ago

   1 Vote up

   1 Vote down
9. 

   abebowers

   Oregon Red Cross has been teaching "Together We Prepare" for many years, since Project Impact got it started. Since the Japan earthquake, the request for presentations went from 4 to 40 per month. People are becoming aware that they have a responsibility to take care of themselves, Before tragedy strikes. Any project that provides funding and usable information/training to a community to prepare itself (CERT, Whole Community et al.) will be welcomed. But, let's not bring back an old program if the new one does the same thing, bringing new info (Katrina,911 and Pac Rim quakes)into the mix.

   1 year ago

   3 Vote up

   0 Vote down
10. 

    dibenn1

    What programs are available to be taught nation wide ?? I mean small cities, big cities, villages, reservations, etc.

    Is there such a program?? Red Cross office not found in small cities, villages ,or reservations , unless they have

    an emergency !!

    1 year ago

    1 Vote up

    0 Vote down
11. 

    anjdayal

    This is indeed a great idea! Some lessons learned and best practics have emerged from the experiences from 9/11, Hurrican Katrina and Tsunamis from Asia and will be instrumental in taking 'Project Impact' methodology to the next level/s. Community Mapping is one such methodology that will increase active participation of the community members, and provide the process more structure and accountability.

    1 year ago

    2 Vote up

    1 Vote down
12. 

    mjcyranwd6alm

    Whole Community Approach is the way to go even if a jurisdiction is not applying for an EMPG grant. It is

    time to get everyone on board with planning, equipping,training, exercises, qualification and NIMS credentialing.Daniel Hahn, MA,CEM,FPEM has the best idea for this point in time. I am in total agreement.

    7 months ago

    0 Vote up

    0 Vote down

Add your comment