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Crisis and Emergency Management

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April 2008                                                                                                   Volume 14 - Number 3

Perspectives...

Senator Clinton’s position on Emergency Management

By Brenda Madrigal

Due to the events on September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina disaster and the Anthrax incident, there is a high degree of attention that is being paid to emergency management. As having an interest in the future of Emergency Management field given how prevalent it is likely to impact our ability to overcome adversity, I take great consideration into what the next President’s philosophy is as it will set the tone in alleviating shortfalls in FEMA and our national network for federal response.

Although these issues have been the subject of many debates for the upcoming presidential elections/nomination, Senator Hillary Clinton has made declarative statements on her position or vision for changing the current framework of FEMA and has taken notice to the shortfalls. She has suggested measures in which would relieve the current stovepipe and bureaucratic nature of how the recovery operations are underway and how victims are currently receiving aid. She has focused on rebuilding the infrastructure in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast.

However in addition to sharing her intent on the long term recovery phase of New Orleans, she has recommended measures that would increase federal funding by eliminating the local match requirements for FEMA recovery funds. Although it appears as she would focus on rebuilding the New Orleans and committing federal funds, she would also establish a federal rebuilding coordinator that would be located in the West Wing and provide weekly reports to her. This is incredibly idealistic of her and hopefully there are no other disasters that she or the rebuild coordinator would have to oversee and make more room for in the West Wing. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of hiring competent individuals to oversee this program? Although many can agree it is a good idea to move FEMA out from DHS but to have a rebuild coordinator move into the West Wing is micromanaging? This is another example of appealing to her constituents, but lacking sound decision skills.

Senator Clinton’s plans are idealistic and extremely politically charged. She feels the pulse of her constituents and then determines her agenda by what is politically ideal to her campaign. This approach is dangerous when dealing with the real world issues. Whether she actually has something to offer besides placating her constituents it is yet to be seen. She continues to offer ideas of a joint role between federal, state and local levels but it is questionable how state politics would receive this good will.

The review she proposes of the Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) with regard to their lapse in sound engineering projects that contributed to the weakness of the Gulf Coast infrastructure speaks to her lack of knowledge of the situation or confirms that she fails to address/ acknowledge the real issues. Many reviews have been completed regarding the choices ACE makes and the reality that the ACE suffers from pork barrel politics is widely known. Projects have been implemented according to financial considerations of the business community who have lobbied in Congress and favorably supported. Although these projects in which left New Orleans and northern areas vulnerable to destruction and storm surge were refuted by environmental groups, Congress granted these projects.

Although Senator Clinton is an intelligent candidate she offers no assurance that she will in fact address the real issues but instead purports that her experience as first lady gives her the experience necessary for success. As difficult as it is to understand and appreciate the field of Emergency Management, her good intentions would only hurt the current fragmented structure. It is highly desirable for the next President to apply sound strategic decisions and nothing she has said demonstrates this quality.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/nyregion/30hillary.html?pagewanted=print

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/katrina