fema blocking help

[suzannehome]

FEMA's Blocking Relief Efforts - An Amazing List9-8-5
FEMA won't accept Amtrak's help in evacuationshttp://news.ft.com/cms/s/84aa35cc-1da8-11da-b40b-00000e..

FEMA turns away experienced firefightershttp://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/5/105538/7048

FEMA turns back Wal-Mart supply truckshttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/national/nationalspec..

FEMA prevents Coast Guard from delivering diesel fuelhttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/05/national/nationalspec..

FEMA won't let Red Cross deliver foodhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05246/565143.stm

FEMA bars morticians from entering New Orleanshttp://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15147862&BRD=...

FEMA blocks 500-boat citizen flotilla from delivering aidhttp://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/3/171718/0826

FEMA fails to utilize Navy ship with 600-bed hospital on boardhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509..

FEMA to Chicago: Send just one truckhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-050902dale..

FEMA turns away generatorshttp://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html

FEMA: "First Responders Urged Not To Respond"http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470

That last one is real -- not satire but straight from FEMA's website

[NicoMoon]

Hi Susanne,

We really want to avoid controversy here, but at the same time, this site is here because of our understanding that the major official relief organizations are not utilizing all available resources.

We won't pass judgement on why that is, and we don't want political debates here, but it's a fact that a lot of volunteer energy and resources are being turned away, and that causes the relief to individuals who are suffering to be delayed.

Our major focus here is to make this point, and to work toward creating positive solutions to this problem. This is why we are constantly soliciting organizers who can set up credible efforts that might eventually be able to plug in with the official groups, or just get going and work around them.

We need updated information on what is going on at the shelters, for example. That is why we are maintaining a Shelter database, as many of these are run by smaller groups who are asking for help, and likely far more willing to accept support from grassroots groups.

There is far too much wasted energy because of lack of coordination, so again, we are stressing the need to coordinate.

Those who have organizational skills should create their plan, post the details, ask for volunteers, and keep their details updated here so we can all know who is doing what.

There are far more volunteers desperate for something to plug into than there are leaders to organize them, so leaders, please step up and help fill in the areas where the major relief organizations are incapable of accommodating.

Don't rely on the natiional news media for all your information either. We need people on the ground, from the disaster areas, the shelters, and the towns and cities where the displaced are being sent to keep us updated on immediate needs so we can respond to them.

[mandy7]

Here's what I've read... it is a cross-post. My response was to write to every Senator AND Congressperson in my state. For those who are shaking their heads and desperate to do something, but you don't know what... write to yours. We should be able to accomplish many things while we are all so active!!!

I read in our local paper this morning that FEMA policy dictates
that no pets will be rescued. Volunteers working under the FEMA
umbrella are forbidden to take even one pet aboard their boats and
other rescue vehicles. With an evacuation by force policy soon to
be put into effect, the FEMA policy needs to be changed ASAP.
According to the news report, the main reason people are refusing to
be evacuated is that they will not leave their pets to die. Sadly,
the people and their pets may be condemned to death due to the
infectious nature of the flood waters coupled with the lack of
sanitation and basic services, food, etc. There are pet shelters
set up in the Baton Rouge area and areas to the west, so there are
places for these pets to stay after rescue.

I am suggesting that each and everyone of you contact your
congressional delegation and urge them to force FEMA to change this
policy. I cannot think of any other method. If you have a better
idea, do it. Please cross post. An outpouring of e-mail from pet
lovers to the U.S. Congress on this issue may work.

here is the link to the article
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/090705/new_evac001.shtml

Thank you.

Dee Jones
Lagniappe Hounds
Borzoi, Afghans, Silken Windhounds
www.borzoi.net/lagniappe

[bwhitten]

If it is the animals which concern you then these are the people rescuing the animals..... and here are details of how they have done it and are continuing to do it.....
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hurricane_diary

If you personally want to assist with the animal rescue, which I emphasize IS taking place.... then you can go here and get registered:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hurricane_volunteer

No real need to write to anyone, simply get involved with the people who specialize in this type of rescue and assist them.

Kindest regards,
Brenda
http://spaces.msn.com/members/bwhitten/