book reviews

Deadly Indifference: The Perfect (Political) Storm

N HIS BOOK THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF FEMA, Michael Brown, describes the various types of indifference which conspired to create the perfect storm of catastrophe in New Orleans before, during and after Hurricane Katrina (see CRJ 3:1), writes Emily Hough. Take the indifference of neglect and over-familiarity with ones environment, often exacerbated by the complicity of city leaders when they ignore risk and allow development in unsuitable or hazardous areas. But here, there is also a conict between ghting terrorism and mitigating natural risks: a shift of focus from natural hazard preparation and mitigation towards the fear of extremists, had profound implications on the city of New Orleans. The author points out that the US Army Corps of Engineers had known for years that foundations of the levees was substandard; maintenance had been recommended and delayed by authorities. Money that should have been spent on assessing and repairs was used elsewhere. And, in any event, the levees were only designed to protect against a Category 3 hurricane. We always knew New Orleans could turn into a shbowl if the levees failed, says Brown. The indifference of bureaucracy appears to be a consequence of the vigorous response to the terrorist threat after September 11, 2001, and Brown clearly has no love for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), calling it a monstrosity.

was introduced. Brown is scathing: The DHS had become a bureaucratic alchemists dream where human lives were turned into pieces of paper that documented human suffering instead of alleviating it as micromanaging sorcerers carefully turned gold into dross. He says that everywhere he turned while directing the emergency response to Katrina, he encountered people outside of FEMA, but within the DHS, who did not have experience or culture of getting things done in a disaster. This is illustrated by what happened after Brown had negotiated with airlines to evacuate people from the Superdome and the convention centre. When he asked for a progress update, he was informed that negotiations were in place with the Transportation Security Administration as to how best to screen the evacuees. The authors frustration is clear; the object was not to start screening and arresting people, but to get them on a plane and moved to safety. The issue was resolved eventually, but caused a further delay in helping to relieve the suffering of people trapped in hellish conditions. Political indifference and what Brown terms Not In My Best Interest (NIMBI) also played

Bastardisation
The bastardisation of FEMAs mission, the evisceration of its budget and the shifting of its personnel had created an air of tension, disillusionment and distrust of the administrations reorganisation plans, he says. Before FEMAs integration into the DHS, the approach was simple. The director of FEMA would ask for something and it would be done; if he had a question, he would ask the President. After the creation of the DHS, a more cumbersome chain of command

human lives were turned into pieces of paper that documented human suffering instead of alleviating it, as micromanaging sorcerers carefully turned gold into dross
a primary role in the disaster. He is not shy of naming individuals he holds responsible for undermining FEMAs response, accusing them of wanting photo opportunities, shifting blame and being worried about their own personal image and political futures, rather than trying to understand the situation faced on the ground. When evacuations were advised by FEMA, procrastination and indecision fuelled by fear took hold; when the evacuations were ordered,

it was too late. Local leaders delayed acting to avoid voter backlash in case events changed at the last minute and constituents questioned their decisions; state leaders with exhausted regional resources tried to take credit for whatever worked while blaming others for any failures; members of Congress pretended that photo ops at the disaster site actually meant they were involved with recovery... Later, he adds: The immediate danger was over and we were working in ways that revealed the stupidity, greed, aggression or insensitivity of too many people in too many high level positions. Brown points out that for many politicians removed one step from the disaster, the events were seen as a time to win new votes. Indeed, some appear to have been indifferent to the effects of their actions on the disaster. Unsurprisingly, the media comes under scrutiny, prompting Brown to reect: Sometimes I think that if we were to experience Bible stories in contemporary times, one of the plagues Moses would visit upon Pharaoh would be a scourge of politicians accompanied by a swarm of media darlings. Their presence would spread false expectations, misery and heartbreak throughout the land. Oh, wait, maybe we are living in a contemporary version of Biblical times. Frustrations with the media revolve around reporting out of context, giving voice to rumours that were not cross-checked and wanting to go out on search and rescue missions with the rescuers, not understanding that places taken by media in boats were places being denied to those in need of rescue. After reading this analysis and perspective of what went wrong and what went right or, perhaps more importantly, what was perceived to have gone wrong or right the whole episode remains as murky as the toxic waters that overwhelmed the city. Anyone living in an area that might be affected by a similar disaster must hope and pray for (and should be voting for) ofcials and leaders who are brave enough to take unpalatable political decisions which are right for the community, who are decisive enough to take command and show leadership in a crisis, and who eschew self-serving political manoeuvring and cynical behaviour when peoples lives are being destroyed. Deadly Indifference: The Perfect Political Storm Hurricane Katrina, the Bush White House and Beyond by Michael D Brown and Ted Schwarz, is published by Taylor Trade Publishing; ISBN 978168794856

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+ CRISIS | RESPONSE VOL 7 ISSUE 3