Introduction and claim
Federal Emergency Management Agency is a unit that is responsible for the management of emergencies, especially the calamities that have devastating effects on the citizens. This agency has been very active in various incidents within the united state. However, it has come over a number of criticisms in the recent past. The main criticism of this agency was its response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster (Binney 76).
The agency was one of those agencies that were expected to have a quick response to this disaster. However, they responded to this disaster much later when the damage was already done (Federal Emergency Management Agency 28). Other incidents clearly demonstrated that this agency is malfunctioning. Either it responds slowly to disaster, or their actions do not pass as an agency that is ready to face the challenges that this task comes with. Because of this, there have been calls from various quarters to have the agency disbanded and in its place be an agency that has the capacity to respond to the disaster and other cases of emergency efficiently and effectively.
There are others, however, who believe that this firm is very effective and should not be disbanded. They believe that with proper coordination, this agency can be very effective. In fact, this agency has proven that it is effective, following its response to a number of calamities. During the September 11, 2001 attack at the World Trade Center, this agency was very active in the rescue process. The employees of this agency worked round the clock in order to ensure that those who could be rescued were moved away from the rabbles.
This article aims at affirming the fact that FEMA is an agency that has the capacity to meet the emergency needs if all the stakeholders can give it necessary material and moral support when undertaking its duties.
Discussion
FEMA is generally considered a failed agency within the nation. In the face of a prosperous nation, this agency has failed a number of times to deliver its duties in an expected manner. The incident in which this agency overstated the damage caused by Hurricane Frances that hit South Florida in May 2004 was the onset of a series of criticisms. This agency recommended compensation to people, some of whom were not casualties of this incident (Jenkins 48).
This was a sign of a malfunctioning unit. The following year, in 2006 August, Hurricane Katrina controversy again hit the firm. Buffalo Storms in October 2006, Dumas Tornados in 2007, and California wildfires in 2007 are other cases where this organization was considered as a failure. This has made this firm very controversial in the face of people.
It may be true that FEMA could have been unable to meet the expectations in various cases. This could have eroded the will of the people. However, an analysis into all the cases reveals that at one moment or another, there was a miscommunication with the relevant authorities, or the agency was not properly facilitated (Federal Emergency Management Agency 36). If their response to the September 11 attack is anything to go by, this agency can be very important to the entire society. Therefore this body should not be disbanded but be properly equipped properly.
Conclusion
FEMA is one of the most important departments in the Homeland Security Department (Burns, 43). The stakeholders should give this department in order to be in a position to serve the public properly. Although criticism is good for the development of an organization such as this, it should be a positive criticism that would help develop this important unit. This way, it would be easy to turn around the disappointment of the public into satisfaction. This firm would be in a position to serve the nation in a more efficient manner.
Works Cited
Binney, Greg. Careers in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (Fema’s) Search and Rescue Unit. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Print.
Burns, Linda. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): An Organization in the Crosshairs. New York: Nova Publishers, 2007. Print.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Strategic Human Capital Plan 2008-2012, New York: FEMA, 2008. Print.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA Strategic Plan; Fiscal Years 2008-2013. New York: FEMA, 2008. Print.
Jenkins, William. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Improvements Needed to Enhance Oversight and Management of the National Flood Insurance Program. New York: DIANE Publishing, 2005. Print.