Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods and wildfires are threats to domestic security. When they occur they disrupt the normal daily activities and they can cause loss of life and destruction of properties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the national body, within the Department of Homeland Security, that is tasked with providing help, support and response before, during and after disasters. The hurricane Katrina that occurred in 2005 found the nation unprepared to handle a catastrophic disaster. In this paper I will look on the response of several groups in helping the victims.
First responder’s response
The first responders during the hurricane Katrina were New Orleans local residents, firefights, medical professionals, local security officers and entities that could offer any help that was needed. Though, these individuals were determined to help the people who were stranded at the rooftops and increasing floodwaters, they lacked the tools to facilitate them as roads were flooded, destroyed or blocked by debris. Two, the FEMA issued an order to stop them from entering into risky zones, to prevent them from dangers (The White House, 2005). Another issue was as these first responders were engaged in helping the hurricane victims among them were a group that was engaged in looting businesses. This made the local security agencies to be overwhelmed and torn between securing properties and helping to rescue the victims.
The local and state safety agencies that could help in search and rescue were disrupted as their facilities and equipment’s were destroyed by the hurricane. For example, the Grand Isle Fire Department was completely destroyed and thus could not offer any help. Also, police vehicles that could ferry first responders and victims to secure places were destroyed. Some officers from the agencies that could offer support also abandoned their duties (The White House, 2005). It was like the first responders were totally grounded.
Military response
The military was not prepared well to handle a disaster of the hurricane Katrina level. The coordination of the military organ to respond to the disaster was also poor. The fact is the FEMA did not have a clear plan of who to engage. This made the military to delay in helping in search and rescue mission (Kiner D., 2020). But, the Coast Guards did a good job of rescuing the victims together with ordinary citizens. It is estimated that the Coast Guards alone were able to rescue around 34,000 people in New Orleans.
Although, the military showed up, there remains several questions that are unanswered. One, why did the government fail to offer help before the hurricane struck? Giving information and warning people was not enough, much could have been done. Two, were New Orleans left to be swept by the hurricane because they were majorly poor? Three, did the government agencies delay because the population was more of the Blacks? The slow response is questionable (History.com Editors, 2021).
When the military led by the Northern Command was able to have a joint responsibility. It did a good job together with FEMA of helping the victims through search and rescue operations, treating the injured, providing equipment’s and manpower. The military played a great role of supplying foods, water and ice cubes, removing debris, decontaminating the area and restoring communication network (Berthelo R., 2010). In conclusion, hurricane Katrina though left around 1,833 people lifeless, it was a learning point for the nation. Since the occurrence of Katrina much has been done, that includes passing reform legislation in regard to disaster management, and more agencies have been trained on disaster preparedness and recovery
