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Former FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh on the agency’s response after the hurricane.
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About on.
What is going on here and why -- the problems we are -- Well I wish I knew what was going on had.
Been -- to be there I would know what was going on very.
Disappointed and upset to hear ms.
-- CEO articulates so well that needs of Staten Island.
She probably represents a lot of residences well I don't Long Island and in Jersey that are hurting right now I do not understand.
-- Federal Emergency Management Agency what part of emergency.
Do they not understand themselves.
I would I would have if -- -- the president the United States side have my -- You know light a fire under someone's Fannie right at the moment.
To get those people they -- get those disaster.
Relief centers opened to help those people now keep in mind -- That is not the primary mission.
Of FEMA they're not in charge this event has not been nationalized so the responsibility.
Falls.
As the lead in to -- the state Governor Cuomo.
Governor Christie in the other seminary governors that haven't been impacted for that but.
In my world.
I'm embarrassed as a former and FEMA director two to watch -- in activity go on.
When you say it's not been nationalized what does that mean.
That means the federal government is in charge and who decides that -- I don't know I don't know what voted -- or -- that I just I don't know the process.
I would I I wouldn't want that not in this particular instance it can be handled that the state.
FEMA is responsibility -- is to support.
The town ships the counties the local cities and the governor's.
Emergency operations team.
To supply and complete all the missions that they cannot do themselves that's -- ms.
rice roll eyes and my complaint has been all all through the years -- -- -- -- where's FEMA.
Forward dumbing down our American citizens by raising expectations.
That FEMA is gonna come in and solve everybody's woes that is not the purpose of FEMA will see -- -- -- at least after that.
You hit on a joke that they'd they'd built up false expectations and in retrospect I'm not here to politicize -- the campaigns you know done.
But the president was getting very high marks for addressing this storm addressing standing when we know and -- in retrospect we were covering this past weekend.
Before the election at -- so wasn't going so dandy but but will be leaving that aside.
I'm beginning to wonder just the simple wisdom.
Up folks who are who.
In the middle of a power blackouts cell phones are down and and they're patting themselves on the back -- saying we're texting.
And emailing people what to do.
And again soon -- soon well not only that but but.
Texting and email and -- to do when you don't have power.
And you -- -- -- phones in our service.
-- begin to think well you might try carrier pigeons because that's not working until it but it it can of worms and so.
We're.
We're still the middle of the response phase of this disaster.
Not discounting at all the nor'easter that came through behind sandy.
The recovery part of this disaster hasn't even begun.
Gas lines are still not operational you put pointed out earlier.
Power.
People -- several best of happening because there hasn't been in power for -- were up over a 115.
Desk that I know.
Created by this storm and its aftermath.
People are still hurting so we're still.
In the response place recovery is debris removal there's still the watering in New York City and other places.
Debris removal will come later and -- DN.
People need to be realistic and our government agencies from the local to the top.
Need to be there.
Show and wave the flag.
Connect with each one of their neighbors and start delivering the services that they need.
Joseph you're dead on right thank you very much always good having.
You -- me.
