In the last 8 years, under Director Witt’s leadership, FEMA has taken the lead in responding to areas that have been affected by disasters.  FEMA’s initial response is to help local fire and rescue officials establish a command center and to provide services, which the community may need.  In a hurricane, this can include housing, food and federalizing medical services from outside the region.  FEMA, in conjunction with the 26 US Government agencies, work together to return order to a town or region, which has been affected by a disaster.

After the September 11, 2001 disaster in New York, FEMA’s shield was tarnished when the FEMA director did not show up, and New York officials stymied the FEMA personnel in New York.  One of the major reasons was the deaths of the Fire Chief and the Deputy Fire Commissioner.  These two men were involved in establishing links with FEMA and with the rescue personnel on scene.   With their death and the deaths of over 300 rescue personnel, it was days before there was an experienced integration of a response system.  No triage was established at the initial site.  No triage badges/bands were available for the victims, and most important, there was no way to communicate, phone service was down, and two-way radios were useless.

Rescue and government organizations involved in such disasters need to refocus how they will work together to reduce casualties and respond in a more organized manner.

I have had the opportunity to speak with two military officers who are responsible for managing military operations during natural and man-made disasters.  I have also spoken to Dr. Dan Hanfling, with Fairfax Hospital, and he would propose that as we move past New York and the Pentagon, we prepare for future disasters by establishing community based programs and response strategies.

My Basic Outline consists of:

I. Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters
   A. Federal Response Plan
   B. State and Local Response Plan
   C. Military Response 
II. Disasters
   A. Natural Disasters
     1.  Hurricane Andrew
     2.  Hurricane Floyd
     3.  Hurricane Hugo
  B. Man-Made Disasters
     1.  Oklahoma City 
     2.  New York
     3.  Pentagon
III. Hospitals
   A. Disaster Response 
   B. Command Centers
IV. Project Impact
   A. Community Based Response Programs

I would use the plans that have been developed by hospitals, local fire and rescue systems, as well as FEMA’s Response Plan.   In my chapter I will give a summary of how we have responded to disasters in the past and how we should change our way of responding for future natural and man-made disasters.