Posted on 09/25/2005 12:29:37 PM PDT by Daralundy
Officials Tell President Bush That U.S. Needs Plan to Coordinate Efforts After Natural Disasters
By DEB RIECHMANN Associated Press Writer The Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO Sep 25, 2005 — Military officials told President Bush on Sunday that the U.S. needs a national plan to coordinate search and rescue efforts following natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Bush said he had stopped at Randolph Air Base in San Antonio and the U.S. Northern Command to better understand how the government can prepare for natural disasters and ease their effects.
He said he also wanted to know whether there was times when the Defense Department should take charge during such disasters.
Bush Told U.S. Needs Post-Disaster Plan Reserve Supplies Said Helped Rita Response The Note: Q: Is It a Game or Is It Real?
"Clearly, in the case of a terrorist attack, that would be the case, but is there a natural disaster of a certain size that would then enable the Defense Department to become the lead agency in coordinating and leading the response effort," Bush said.
"That's going to be a very important consideration for Congress to think about," he said.
Bush got an update about the federal hurricane response from military leaders at Randolph Air Force Base. He heard from Lt. Gen. Robert Clark, joint military task force commander for Hurricane Rita, and Maj. Gen. John White, a task force member, who noted confusion in search and rescue operations after Hurricane Katrina.
With Katrina, "we knew the coordination piece was a problem," White said. "With Rita, we had the benefit of time. We may not have that time in an earthquake scenario or similar incident."
"With a national plan, we'll have a quick jump-start and an opportunity to save more people," White said.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Equipped with rescue aircraft, transport, medical battalions, etc.
Have 'em trained and always ready just like regular military.
Plus, this would give the libs and other conscientious objectors something they could volunteer for.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1490996/posts
Oops there was an older thread? Do you think reposting this is ok?
They would protest even this, like Cindy's occupied NO brain fart.
I would be more inclined to redirecting the ATF toward such responsibilities. Their original charter is no longer viable so if they are going to be kept they need to be retrained and redirected. If not here then put them on the border.
As much as I love the military, I am really worried about such an approach. Unless, it is done through a separate division that is purpose-built for civilian tasks.
Well there needs to be a plan...at least for cities and states run by Dummocrats.
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