9/11/08: DISASTER WATCHDOG TO FEMA: SUSPEND ICE POLICY NOW FOR HURRICANE IKE
Contact: Ben Smilowitz: 314-761-7631
Ben@DisasterAccountability.org
For Immediate Release:
DISASTER WATCHDOG TO FEMA: SUSPEND ICE POLICY NOW FOR HURRICANE IKE
The Disaster Accountability Project is calling on FEMA to suspend its misguided ice policy and make arrangements to deliver ice in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
The new ice policy puts the responsibility of ice delivery and planning in the hands of states with some Federal government reimbursement. Exceptions to the rule allow for Federal distribution of ice for medical emergencies without any definition or direction as to what constitutes a medical emergency.
“Surely the prospect of a Category Three or Category Four hurricane with current heat conditions equates to a sizable medical emergency,” said Ben Smilowitz, Executive Director of the Disaster Accountability Project. “FEMA is already activated. By statute, FEMA is activated when states need assistance before, during, or after a disaster. Texas and Louisiana have enough to deal with right now and the Federal government is best positioned to deliver ice to affected areas.”
On June 10, 2008, FEMA indicated that the policy could change (Biloxi Sun Herald) but the public has not been informed of any change.
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The nonpartisan Disaster Accountability Project provides accountability and oversight to the nation’s disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery systems through monitoring and policy research.
A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available as a public service for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical gaps in disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery services or planning. The group is recruiting a national network of Disaster Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and publicize gaps in disaster services or planning.
The Disaster Accountability Project’s website is https://disasteraccountability.org
Disaster Accountability Project is a 2008 Echoing Green Fellowship Organization.
For more information: http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/ben-smilowitz
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