Preparedness and coordination are crucial in disaster responses

Recognizing the current administration’s FEMA position, I offer the following for all to ponder. Mississippi is the most disaster-prone area in the US and receives more donated support than is collected from within Mississippi. This is true for all disasters from the home fire to the handful of homes flash-flooded or damaged by winds or trees to the several counties hit by a line of destructive tornadoes to the next “big one” flood or hurricane with its terrible storm surges, large area flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes that impact every corner of the state. If the next “big one” threatens our neighbors, many of those residents will flee to Mississippi. They may stay for a while and will likely need help returning home or relocating. After COVID-19, the 2023 spring tornadoes, etc. many now expect FEMA or MEMA to put them into hotels and will be very reluctant to go to a general population shelter, much less stay in one for more than several days. If their home no longer exists or requires repairs that will take months to complete, where will they stay and who will pay for the lodging, along with any associated feeding, transportation and other costs for serving a displaced population who were of very little means prior to a disaster? Please gain a clear understanding of how much disaster response organizations spend in your community as compared to how much is donated by the businesses and other wealthy donors located there. Then start conversations with those who could provide funds, supplies, lodging, transportation or volunteers within your community to address how these needs will be met once there are no more federal or state funds available. Please consider alerting your leaders to the value which FEMA brings that needs to continue. FEMA standardized communications, coordination and training for all who respond to all levels of disaster whether it is the traffic accident with injuries, the home fire, the mass casualty transportation or active shooting event, the handful of homes flash-flooded by a creek or impacted by a wind or tornado episode, or for the “big one.” Please do not allow what FEMA created–an ability to have a well-coordinated response to all levels of disaster that quickly identifies the community’s impacts and needs and then matches the strengths and capabilities of all responders amidst a very chaotic and challenging environment—to wither away or disappear.

VG Thompson
Clay County