Nbadan
09-12-2005, 01:31 PM
At least that's the way I read it, after perusing the copy of the Stafford Act on FEMA's website, at Link (http://www.fema.gov/library/stafact.shtm) .
Bush supporters are making a fuss over the point that the governor had to request active-duty troops, or request them in the proper way, and Governor Blanco supposedly failed in this respect. It's been suggested here and elsewhere that the governors of Mississippi and Alabama probably were given advice on requesting troops by the feds, and I read an article i which Blanco was referring to an ex-governor which had reportedly been coached by FEMA.
Blanco should have received such help, too, according to section 302 of the Stafford Act, which refers to coordinating officers:
Functions of Federal coordinating officer
In order to effectuate the purposes of this Act, the Federal coordinating officer, within the affected area, shall--
1. make an initial appraisal of the types of relief most urgently needed;
2. establish such field offices as he deems necessary and as are authorized by the President;
3. coordinate the administration of relief, including activities of the State and local governments, the American National Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief or disaster assistance organizations, which agree to operate under his advice or direction, except that nothing contained in this Act shall limit or in any way affect the responsibilities of the American National Red Cross under the Act of January 5, 1905, as amended (33 Stat. 599) <36 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.>; and;
4. take such other action, consistent with authority delegated to him by the President, and consistent with the provisions of this Act, as he may deem necessary to assist local citizens and public officials in promptly obtaining assistance to which they are entitled.;
5. State coordinating officer When the President determines assistance under this Act is necessary, he shall request that the Governor of the affected State designate a State coordinating officer for the purpose of coordinating State and local disaster assistance efforts with those of the Federal Government.
It's #4 there, the requirement to "assist local citizens and public officials in promptly obtaining assistance to which they are entitled," that places any blame the White House is trying to shift to Blanco squarely back on them. The federal government has advisory responsibilities under the Stafford Act. The "it's her fault because she didn't ask" excuse ignores the law.
Section 402 of the Stafford Act also states that the President may "provide techical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments."
Bush supporters are making a fuss over the point that the governor had to request active-duty troops, or request them in the proper way, and Governor Blanco supposedly failed in this respect. It's been suggested here and elsewhere that the governors of Mississippi and Alabama probably were given advice on requesting troops by the feds, and I read an article i which Blanco was referring to an ex-governor which had reportedly been coached by FEMA.
Blanco should have received such help, too, according to section 302 of the Stafford Act, which refers to coordinating officers:
Functions of Federal coordinating officer
In order to effectuate the purposes of this Act, the Federal coordinating officer, within the affected area, shall--
1. make an initial appraisal of the types of relief most urgently needed;
2. establish such field offices as he deems necessary and as are authorized by the President;
3. coordinate the administration of relief, including activities of the State and local governments, the American National Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and other relief or disaster assistance organizations, which agree to operate under his advice or direction, except that nothing contained in this Act shall limit or in any way affect the responsibilities of the American National Red Cross under the Act of January 5, 1905, as amended (33 Stat. 599) <36 U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq.>; and;
4. take such other action, consistent with authority delegated to him by the President, and consistent with the provisions of this Act, as he may deem necessary to assist local citizens and public officials in promptly obtaining assistance to which they are entitled.;
5. State coordinating officer When the President determines assistance under this Act is necessary, he shall request that the Governor of the affected State designate a State coordinating officer for the purpose of coordinating State and local disaster assistance efforts with those of the Federal Government.
It's #4 there, the requirement to "assist local citizens and public officials in promptly obtaining assistance to which they are entitled," that places any blame the White House is trying to shift to Blanco squarely back on them. The federal government has advisory responsibilities under the Stafford Act. The "it's her fault because she didn't ask" excuse ignores the law.
Section 402 of the Stafford Act also states that the President may "provide techical and advisory assistance to affected State and local governments."