Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 September 2005 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY A failed response to New Orleans vicHms

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer

Many Americans are still questioning why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) waited days before sending troops to assist those devastated by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. It was days before troops were instructed by federal agencies to assist in the storm’s aftermath, as New Orleans law enforcement was being overpowered by gangs and of those fighting for survival. Once troops and National Guard members were in place - it took only one day before order was restored in New Orleans and most survivors were fed and evacuated from the disaster. Those outraged with the federal government’s sluggish response compare the New Orleans disaster to the Sept. 11 attacks. “The slow pace of relief efforts in the face of a mounting death toll... seems to confirm that our ability to respond to cataclysmic disasters has not been adequately addressed,” Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said on the “Today Show.” “It has become increasingly evident that our nation was not prepared.” The federal government was at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11,2001, soon after the attacks unfolded. In the aftermath, President George W. Bush created the Department of Homeland Security, a federal agency that operates with a mission of, “Preserving our freedoms, protecting America ... we secure our homeland.” Nowthe clean-up process of New Orleans has begun, Americans are questioning what is the exact job of DHS? Did DHS fail victims of Hurricane Katrina? In a memo sent from Michael Brown, director of FEMA to Michael Chertoff secretary of DHA on Thursday, Aug. 29, four days after the devastation of Katrina, Brown noted, “We anticipate needing at least 1,000 additional DHS employees within 48 hours and 2,000 within 7 days. Attached is a list of requirements that employees will have to meet before deploying.” Memos and statements such as Brown’s indicate the lack of effort shown by the federal government during the midst of destruction on the Gulf Coast. “Some of the victims that I have been assisting tell me that racism played a factor in the governments slow action, but the damage is already done, lets help these people,” said Byron Alston director of Save the Youth Foundation. What exactly is Homeland Security now? Currently DHS operates under seven stra-

tegic goals including protecting the nation against hazards to the nation and “disseminate timely information to our homeland security partners and the American public.” DHS’ duties are to promote awareness of future terrorist attacks and to provide the public with information. Protection is described by DHS as “safeguard our people and their freedoms, critical infrastructure, property and the economy of our nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.” Prevention, response, recovery, service and organizational excellence are the other key goals outlined in the DHS strategic plans. What was Homeland Security before 9/H? The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 as aresponse to the Sept. 11 attacks, in preparation for future homeland emergencies. In 2002, President Bush moved FEMA from a cabinet level position to a subagency under the director of DHS. With the creation of DHS five emergency response agencies was put in place under the wings of DHS: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), StrategicNational Stockpile and the National Disaster Medical System (HHS), Nuclear Incident Response Team (Energy), Domestic Emergency Support Teams (Justice), and National Domestic Preparedness Office (FBI). In addition a host of science and technology and border and transportation agencies were put under the director of DHS. What is the future of Homeland Security? Sen. Clinton has called for legislation for a complete investigation of FEMA and its response to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. She is looking to restore FEMA to a cabinet-level, independent federal agency - taking FEMA from the control of DHS. The FEMA director would report directly to the president instead of the DHS secretary. The Hurricane Katrina investigation will be modeled like the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. The investigation will pull together experts to determine how to fix the response level in the future. Sen. Clinton said, “It’s difficult to have visited with those whose lives have been shattered by Hurricane Katrina and feel that they werewellserved. Ateveryturn, I encountered our fellow citizens with desperate questions and few answers. The bureaucracy created by moving FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security is clearly not working.”

SURVIVAL ► Continued from Page 1 That Monday, the day Hurricane Katrina hit, things didn’t subdue for Fenton’s area until 2 p.m. “Once the storm was over, it became increasingly hot,” said Fenton. In an attempt to find relief from nearly 100 degree temperatures and rising humidity, Fenton and her son as well as most of their neighbors slept outside on the sidewalk. “That’s when things really began to sink in that no one was doing anything to help us. Safety was always on my mind, and I was especially concerned about crime increasing, but there was no way we could have stayed in our home. The heat was overwhelming.” Fenton says during the aftermath of Katrina, her neighbors really came together and they all combined their efforts to ensure their survival. “We took branches off trees and tried to maintain a fire to cook food, but it kept going out. Our lifestyle at that point was something out of the caveman era. It was really hard.” When asked to share her thoughts on the role the federal government played rescuing and assisting after Hurricaine Katrina, she said it was “wrong.” “Bush waited too long to get us help. As far as the people in New Orleans, the lack of treatment they received was inhumane. No one should be treated like that. It seems like we were intentionally overlooked.” While there were some people outside Louisiana who felt that Hurricane Katrina would pass their area over, Nechelle Robinson, a Jackson, Miss., resident took heed to the warnings. “I’m originally from Mobile, Ala., and we’re used to having hurricanes so I’m always mindful of them,’’said Robinson, coordinator of marketing and promotions at Jackson State University. “I remember when I was 3-years-old and

38tli and Meridian

FARMER LJ A R K E T

Every Thursday, May 26-0<tober 27, 2005, 4:00-6:30pm Enjoy neighbors, entertainment and some of Indiana's freshest produce!

NORTH JuN

FREE ON-SITE PARKING • WIC vouchers will be occepted.

Where Spiritual Journeys Meet j(, e mar |< e t j s | oca t e( j j n f(, e southwest cornet of the church parking lot near 38th and Illinois Street

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH A community program provided by North United Methodist Church

www.northchurchindy.com (317) 924-2612

Hennessu Privil After Work

The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Pre Classic Rich off Party

September 2?, ZOOJ • /-10 p.m.

110 th

ANNIVERSARY

An unidentified man sits in the flood water underneath the Interstate-10 in New Orleans, La. Most of the Crescent City's residents have evacuated but some still remain and refuse to leave. Water is still high in the area and some rescuers have decided not to bring food and water to those who are determined to stay behind. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Hurricane Frederick hit. My family was trying to board up the windows and doors, but the winds were too strong. I always take the necessary precautions when hurricane sightings are announced.” The precautions that Robinson took included buying plenty of water and ice, nonperishable foods, and even charcoal to cook food on the grill. Filling various

containers with faucet water for bathing and flushing the toilets, was also something that Robinson did to ensure that she and her two daughters would be OK. “I’m glad I took these steps, because there are parts of Jackson that are still without water and lights. We had to revert back to listening to the radio, but other than that, my girls and I were fine.”

Wanted: Children Ages 3-7 IS., It Doi Daycare CentEf Accepting Fall Enrollments

Exceptional Rates! Also accept Title 20 and CCDF 239 West 36th Street at 36th Street and Boulevard Place We’re on your way to work!

Two blocks west of Capitol Avenue & two blocks south of 38th Street Just think 2 and 2 Stop by 6:00 am 5:30 pm or call 923-4071

Advertising with the Indianapolis Recorder WORKS! 2901 N Tacoma Avenue Indpls., IN 46218 Phone: 317-924-5143 Fax: 317-921-6653

Email: advertising@indyrecorder. com www. indianapolisrecorder. com

Celebrating 110 years

WHO'S S'™" 4 "

PAGE tt A2

CYAN MAGFNTA

Rl ATK