Holly Deyo

Below are just a few articles outlining FEMA problems. FEMA is currently under Department of Homeland Security. Debated today is whether or not to keep it there or revert it to a stand alone agency. On the pro side, it's argued that within DHS, FEMA has more resources at its disposal. One the other hand, it is yet another layer of government bureaucracy standing between getting aid to Americans in desperate circumstances. It adds to the ever-growing pile of red tape.

Additionally, FEMA and other agencies are hesitant to rock the boat in any perceived emergency. Understandably no one wants to make a wrong call and cost states unnecessary expenditures, but inaction gets people killed as seen in Hurricane Katrina. That buck was passed around more than laundered drug money.

A third leg of this FEMA problem is communication. Gone are the more open days of former FEMA director, James Lee Witt.

On October 14, 1997 he frankly informed us that FEMA simply could not come to everyone's aid. At that time, we had the massive El Niño of 97-98 baring down on us. He further warned people that they would need to be responsible for themselves. He didn't hide these pending problems, nor keep the severity of the disaster from us. Instead he encouraged people to dredge up their "can do" nature and be personally responsible.

At the core of people's government distrust is this lack of open communication, sugar-coated truth and sometimes, outright fabrications. It's preferable to know we have a challenge ahead rather than be unprepared and blind-sided. Not facing problems head on only leaves us vulnerable. As shown, natural disasters are escalating. Government resources and manpower will be beyond tight as the economy weakens and fewer funds are allotted for aid. We must not depend on government to do our job.

FEMA Now
FEMA Once Again Proven to be Incompetent as 55 Die Due to Bitter Cold
A Week After the Killer Ice Storm, FEMA Still a No Show, 55 Dead
30-Mile Debris Pile Becomes Symbol of FEMA Delays
$3.9B in Hurricane Aid Still Unspent
FEMA Chief Says Don't Expect Free Ice, Generators or Trailers After Next Hurricane
FEMA Overseer, Napolitano, Skips Flooded Iowa Towns
FEMA Defends Denials for Post-Ike Housing Aid

FEMA and Military's Bigger Role
Homeland Security Proposes Strengthening FEMA
Bush Eyes Bigger Military Role in Disasters, Posse Comitatus
Bill Would Turn 6 Closed Bases into Emergency Shelters
Congress Seeks to Authorize & Legalize FEMA Camp Facilities
Is FEMA & DHS Preparing for Mass Graves and Martial Law?
Main Core, PROMIS and the Shadow Government, Pt.1
National Emergency Centers Act or HR 645
FEMA Camp – video
...Locations

FEMA Under DHS – Too Much Bureaucracy
After Ike Texas Coast Still Waiting on FEMA
Frustrated Ike Victims, Mayor Fed Up with FEMA Red Tape
Everybody and Kitchen Sink Faulted for Katrina Response
FEMA Red Tape Strangling Local Governments
Effort to Cut FEMA Red Tape Knocked Back

FEMA Revamped
New Federal Disaster Plan Looks a Lot Like the Old One
FEMA Least-Liked Federal Agency, Poll

FEMA and Hurricane Katrina
Brown Joked in E-Mail as Katrina Churned
New Orleans Paper Rips FEMA
What Went WRONG
Blueprint for Disaster

FEMA's Formaldehyde Trailers
Lawmaker: FEMA Trailer Maker Knew of Formaldehyde
FEMA to Measure Formaldehyde in Trailers
FEMA Is Selling Off Used Katrina and Rita Trailers
Coastal Texans Pitch Tents Near Padlocked FEMA Trailers
FEMA Blames Residents for Trailer Toxins
Judge: FEMA Not Immune from Toxic Trailer Suits
Family Felt Like 'Lab Rats' in FEMA Trailer
Meet the Watchdog Who Sniffed Out FEMA Trailer Trouble
Probe: FEMA Sugarcoated and Hid Danger of Hurricane Trailers
FEMA Offers Refunds for Katrina Trailers

Fraud and Waste
FEMA Grilled on $4 Billion in Unspent Aid
FEMA's "Toxic Bureaucracy"
FEMA Investigating La. Hurricane Recovery Office
FEMA Reimburses Local Landlords -- Finally
Waste, Fraud and Abuse
Senators Hear 'Shocking Examples' of FEMA Waste
FEMA Under Bush Leaves a Trail of Corruption