- Complete a postmortem on FEMA first response efforts in the NC/TN disaster areas, especially the mountains.
- Consult with Ron DeSantis on the postmortem results to gain his input.
- Analyze postmortem results from the ground up (local response) and implement a new FEMA first response plan based on that analysis from the top down (Executive Branch).
- Post a volunteer waiver on the FEMA site and broadcast to the public before a disaster that all volunteers must complete the form and provide certificates of insurance for aircraft. The volunteer would receive a response email and show it to FEMA on site as proof of completion. This would provide documentation of volunteers on site in the event of accident or loss.
- For future disasters, assemble FEMA first response teams based on the forecasted disaster areas. These teams would deploy as soon as it is safe to do so after the disaster, within 24 hours. They would bring hard copies of the volunteer forms for individuals to complete if they did not do so on the FEMA website.
- The FEMA first response teams would fly drones over the disaster areas to assess the damage and create a priority list.
- Local volunteers are natural first responders because they typically live in the area and know it well. After their area assessment, the FEMA first responders would consult with local law enforcement, first responders and local volunteers to determine what has been done, what local resources are available and what the local first responders consider priorities.
- FEMA would report to local authorities and assist with coordination of donation locations/distribution and rescue efforts, dovetailing their efforts with the structure put in place by local first responders and volunteers.
- Aircraft would be coordinated so that supply drones would not conflict with rescue aircraft.
- Based upon local assessment, the President would sign an Executive Order to deploy US military personnel and assets to the disaster sites, particularly for rescue/recovery and supply logistics coordination.
- After rescue and recovery are complete, perform a postmortem of the FEMA first response efforts to improve processes as needed.
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Just a thought. If fema was disbanded and a new agency form, using veterans. Piolets, enginers, equipment opperaters, electrician, and so on. These people have extream experiences and know how to work and control chaos. Plus it will help new and older veterans give to the amaricans again, which many find hard to do as a civilian.
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Thank you for your thoughts. I get where you are coming from, but worry that folks who would otherwise be volunteers who do the most good would be caught up in the politics and bureaucracy of FEMA if they became part of it. Perhaps they could be consultants who help FEMA create policies that cut as much red tape as possible.
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Ron DeSantis absolutely knows how to set up and run the logistics for disasters and does a phenomenal job. Whatever form FEMA takes (whether it’s the rehaul of the agency or completely new agency), Ron DeSantis should be contacted as the SME (subject matter expert) so we’re not reinventing the wheel and we ARE using best practices.