By Andrew Zanger Santa Monica
After having watched with shock and concern the occurrences in New Orleans the last several days, I was absolutely embarrassed by my country’s government.
It was distasteful to listen and read about the disorganization, lack of planning and ineptness of the efforts by FEMA and Homeland Security.
As the richest, most powerful nation in the world, it came to light that bureaucracy, red tape, rules and procedural roadblocks have become more important than the aiding of a devastated region.
Yes, this was a natural event that was made more horrific by the failure of man-made levees which collapsed in the face of the force of nature.
Yes, the breadth was not expected for devastation over a three-state area in the Gulf Coast. But, it was truly a “bush league” effort for a major league problem.
The more I watched the problems, I came to the realization that we are alone when it comes to natural or manmade catastrophes. I personally have no idea where to go if a disaster occurred here in Santa Monica.
Who do I contact? Where do I go? Where do I get food? Where do I get water? What emergency service can I expect? And lastly, who runs the show? Does Santa Monica have any plans?
We live in an area that can be devastated within moments with absolutely no warning or preparation. An “8.0” earthquake could hit, and we would be without any civic services, phones, Internet, power, communication devices or other everyday methods of information processing services.
What New Orleans has taught is that we are alone for about three days. Some 85,000 citizens cannot expect FEMA to just show up and organize us and provide aid. So, here is the challenge. Santa Monica, what are our plans? Do we have bottled water for the citizens stored someplace? Who is the “disaster czar” to organize the temporary relief effort?
If we are homeless, where do we go? Do we wander to the high school or the community college?
Who makes the call to the governor, president, FEMA or other relief agencies? Who do I listen to?
I have three days of water and food, as well as emergency cat food. Assuming there’s a devastating earthquake and I can’t get to the closet with the supplies, do I rely on the local grocery stores?
A look through the Santa Monica Web site reveals very good information about personal preparation by linking to Web sites such as FEMA. Basically they say to have water, food and a radio. What about “community preparedness?”
I found no information other than reference to FEMA and its information pamphlets. I am proposing that we in Santa Monica make these plans. Budget a preparedness scheme and tell the citizens what the specifics are. Create a model of who is the “disaster czar” for Santa Monica and lay out the responsibilities. Store the water, minimum food and first aid supplies for the three-day lag before the national or state governments bring their disorganization.
If there are no current plans, City Council, appoint a commission, make the plans and carry them out. Put the plans on the back of everyone’s Santa Monica library card so we can all know that Santa Monica will never be another New Orleans.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 12, 2005. Read the original PDF.