|
As a side note to mention of FEMA response. Houston has a disaster plan
with first response built around a volunteer organization made up of people from
area churches. When Katrina hit New Orleans, the people were sent to the
Superdome and the Convention Center in New Orleans. NO food , no water, no
sleeping cots etc.
The ones disbursed by busses to Houston were met at the Dome Stadium by the
volunteer organization and ushered into the air conditioned Dome where sleeping
cots. food and water were available.
Interesting that the volunteers used a system like WalMart greeters do. The
volunteers didn't wait inside the Dome, they went out to the busses and greeted
the evaucees and walked them inside. This attitude focused on kindnees and
compassion.
This not only reduced the stress level but it resulted in cooperation and
calmness.
In Texas, where no man's life nor fortune is safe when the legislature in
in session, naturally the politicians took credit for the wonderful job they
were personally responsible for in caring for the evaucees. Next FEMA stepped
forward to hog the glory.
Left mostly unsaid was the years of planning by the volunteer
organizations actually responsible for the idea, planning and execution. The
Second Baptist church,among others, using their energy and facilities, had
conducted training courses yearly for this purpose.
Richard
|
