Coast Guard Praised for Katrina Response / FEMA "gridlocked"

[jtexas]

Here's an excellent account of how to do things right, from NPR this morning: <br /><br />Coast Guard Praised for Katrina Response <br /><br />click "Listen"<br /><br />features an interview with a J-Hawk helicopter crew from Massacheusetts<br /><br />Here's a brief synopsis: the Coast Guard (like everybody else with access to a competent meteorologist) knew that Katrina would pretty much destroy New Orleans, & deployed its Atlantic seaboard s&r resources to follow the storm in from the south. CG personnel are trained & encouraged to think on their own in the field, act first & get permission later. <br /><br />Contrast with FEMA which couldn't or wouldn't act without specific requests from local authority.