I get to hang out quite a bit with professional emergency management types (not known for being a hotbed of Trotskyites) because of my job, and their reaction to FEMA's Katrina response was one of slack-jawed disbelief. This was an agency that really used to have its shit together. I also got to work with a FEMA contingent during several of the last storm encounters we've had here in S Fla. Although the workers are competent, they seem to have little support or coordination from their HQ.

To be fair, the new FEMA boss is well known and highly respected by our EM types (he's a local boy) and he is very well qualified, and it appears things are turning around at FEMA HQ. For one thing, we're all training on standardized management and reporting procedures and setting up some chains of command more in line with standard EM practice. This is all coming from the Fed, so our local and regional agencies can interface more effectively with the national guys.The feeling amongst the pros here is that we'll be in much better shape at the Federal level next time around. But only time, of course, will tell.

The difference is we have a fireman in charge at FEMA now, not a political hack.