Fire/EMS/ERs/disasters, etc.

[bannination]

I had wondered why right wingers are so opposed to FEMA. I can understand being frustrated with response or complaining about specific issues, but I had forgotten about their widely held ummm, "theory" that FEMA was just running internment camps for white Christians or that they were prep spots for the New World Order. OK, so maybe that worked when Obama was in office. As a foreign-born commie Muslim, maybe he would have done that. But repugs were in charge during Trump 1, and now they're in charge again. Cosplay Barbie has access to all records, budgets, people, etc. and if any such plot was found would surely be trumpeted to the world and instigators strung out for public evisceration. So she (they) know that was all bullshit but they keep the hate going. Fools.

The Deep State keeps its secrets from everyone.

Do you remember that we had a right wingnut on BRN who went on and on about the "mysterious" FEMA facility off Upward Rd that had stockpiled coffins? That was us, technically a state-run mobile field hospital partially funded by FEMA. Coincidentally, we did have a stash of body bags - hospital going into disaster areas, duh. No coffins. The warehouse was not kept secret, but it was not advertised, either - unguarded, might have been attractive to thieves.

Anyhow, I reported the pseudonym-using loon to our boss. He said that he was well aware and that the IRL idiot had "received a visit". Could have been informational from FEMA, but I got the impression that it was threatening FBI or Marshals . That's how the Deep State rolls . The BRN posts about FEMA ceased.

Makes me wonder what else they were into.... and also maybe explains why they're an "X" poster.... may be in prison now.

[Vrede too]

Makes me wonder what else they were into.... and also maybe explains why they're an "X" poster.... may be in prison now.

I got the feeling he was a harmless flake, too gullible to manufacture a serious threat, but you could be correct.

[1 CAT FAN]

I love the way the Texas people keep saying "we had no way of knowing the flood would be so bad." Well, no, you didn't. But you knew there was a likelihood of a flood and the whole area has been flooded before and is even called "Flash flood alley." So if the flood had only been a quarter of its size and had been twice as slow, the people in its way would still have needed to be evacuated. The people who refused to put in a warning system, and the ones in the camp who didn't let anybody have cellphones should be hung up by their nuts.

A leftist just threw a lit cigarette butt out in California.

[neoplacebo]

I am proud to announce that I reside in the worst place in the country. It's why I posted that I might move to Haiti the other day. TN wins worst place to live contest. I've more than once noted that this place is a vast wasteland of misfits and dipshits too goddamn dumb not to vote against their own best interest. I guess this proves it; those dipshits and misfits have been going at it for about fifty years. Winning! Plus we have Marsha Blackburn, the queen loon of the universe and also Bill Hagerty, the silent lamb of TN.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-place- ... 05913.html

Ahem: I put this post here because it's a fire, EMS, ER, and disaster all in one.

[Vrede too]

I am proud to announce that I reside in the worst place in the country. It's why I posted that I might move to Haiti the other day. TN wins worst place to live contest. I've more than once noted that this place is a vast wasteland of misfits and dipshits too goddamn dumb not to vote against their own best interest. I guess this proves it; those dipshits and misfits have been going at it for about fifty years. Winning! Plus we have Marsha Blackburn, the queen loon of the universe and also Bill Hagerty, the silent lamb of TN.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/worst-place- ... 05913.html

Ahem: I put this post here because it's a fire, EMS, ER, and disaster all in one.

Ouch.

https://www.blueridgedebate.com/viewtop ... 95#p216495

[Vrede too]

Houston Chronicle Uses 4 Sarcastic Words To Shred Kristi Noem’s Flood Response
The Texas newspaper drew a sharp distinction between what is happening locally and in Washington.

... It published an editorial Monday, which was sarcastically titled, “Heck of a job, Secretary Noem.”

The newspaper’s editorial board drew a stark contrast between grassroots fundraising efforts by Texans and what it described as an apparent lack of urgency in Washington, D.C., to assist with the recovery....

“Leaving disaster victims on hold isn’t governmental efficiency,” the Chronicle wrote. “It’s heartless.

[Vrede too]

I can understand trashing the predecessor. I understand saying "For years the (Dems/Repugs) have run FEMA horribly. They've been unresponsive. They've been poorly trained. Management has been unqualified. They're all just a bunch of turds who have let little kids and their puppies drown. But we're going to fix that and have the best emergency response like nobody has ever seen in the world."

What I'll never be able to understand is how anybody - politician or citizen - would ever say we don't need a FEMA or some new and improved version.
What semi-civilized country in the world thinks a national emergency response organization is unnecessary? For example, in Somalia - not the wealthiest or most progressive country in the world - we have the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), which leads disaster response and risk reduction, and the National Emergency Committee, which coordinates efforts to boost preparedness.

What does the "great" United States get? Clowns like cosplaying ICE Barbie and Trump saying they want to shut down FEMA.
Idiots.

From your lips . . .
Flash Flood Warning Issued In Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince George's Counties
"Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, North Potomac", etc.

Watch: Flash floods submerge vehicles as heavy rain lashes Washington DC; rescue ops under way

Torrential rainfall on Saturday caused flash flooding across Washington DC and parts of neighbouring Maryland and Virginia, prompting multiple emergency rescue operations, officials confirmed.

Some areas, including densely populated suburbs like Silver Spring, recorded more than 5 inches of rain. Several major roads in Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland, as well as in Fairfax County, Virginia, became impassable by Saturday evening. In northwest DC, floodwaters submerged parked vehicles.



... Flood sensors showed that Sligo Creek, which flows through Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and parts of the capital, rose by 10 feet in just 30 minutes....

Is Congress paying attention now?

Texas flood 16 days ago: 145 dead, just 5 missing now.

[Vrede too]

May flooding, with video:

Trump admin. denies disaster assistance after Western Maryland floods; state will appeal decision

Maryland is one of the bluest of states . Asshole. However, what RepuQs there are will most likely be found Western Maryland. Idiot.

[O Really]

I think that river is the MD/WV border, isn't it? Is Trump stiffing the ones on on the WV side too?

[Vrede too]

I think that river is the MD/WV border, isn't it? Is Trump stiffing the ones on on the WV side too?

I know that WV had some very severe flooding, probably worse than MD's. Not sure if it was the same storm or what the federal response has been.

[Vrede too]

Russian volcano erupts for first time in more than 500 years


Russian news agency RIA published pictures of the huge ash plume above the Krasheninnikov Volcano, following the eruption overnight [Institute of Volcanology and Seismology]

A volcano in far eastern Russia has erupted for the first time in more than 500 years, which experts say may be linked to last week's massive earthquake.

The Krasheninnikov Volcano in Kamchatka threw up an ash plume up to six kilometres (3.7 miles) high overnight. There are no threats to populated areas, Russia's emergency ministry said.

Hours later, another large earthquake in Russia led to tsunami warnings in three areas of the peninsula.

... Sunday's 7.0 magnitude quake hit the Kuril Islands and could lead to waves of up to 18cm (7in), Russia's emergency ministry reported....

Historic Russia earthquake joins top 6 strongest ever recorded
It's the strongest earthquake since 2011.



(list of 7 with a sentence or two describing each and its effects)

Chile - 2
Alaska - 1
Sumatra, Indonesia - 1
Japan - 1
Russia (eastern) - 2

[Vrede too]

DonOLD loses, again:

Federal judge rules Trump administration cannot reallocate billions meant for disaster mitigation

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from reallocating $4 billion meant to help communities protect against natural disasters.

U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns in Boston granted a preliminary injunction sought by 20 Democrat-led states while their lawsuit over the funding moves ahead....

In his ruling, Stearns said he was not convinced Congress had given FEMA any discretion to redirect the funds. The states had also shown that the “balance of hardship and public interest” was in their favor.

“There is an inherent public interest in ensuring that the government follows the law, and the potential hardship accruing to the States from the funds being repurposed is great,” Stearns wrote. “The BRIC program is designed to protect against natural disasters and save lives.”

The program has provided grants for a range of disaster management projects, including strengthening electrical grids, constructing levees for flood protection and relocating vulnerable water treatment facilities. Many of the projects are in rural communities.

The states, including California, New York and Washington, argued that the threat of losing the funding alone had put numerous projects at risk of being cancelled, delayed or downsized. And they warned ending the program would be highly imprudent.

“By proactively fortifying our communities against disasters before they strike, rather than just responding afterward, we will reduce injuries, save lives, protect property, and, ultimately, save money that would otherwise be spent on post-disaster costs,” they wrote in the suit filed in July....

GoJudge Stearns & Dem statesGo

[Vrede too]

Video: Flash Flood Washes Away Village in Indian Himalaya

[Vrede too]

Puerto Rico and many other places sure dodged a bullet.

Category 5 Hurricane Erin is one of the fastest rapidly intensifying storms in Atlantic history

wunderground

Phew. AGW models have long predicted stronger storms. I think the jury is still out on whether hurricanes will be more frequent.

[Vrede too]

THE FEMA KATRINA DECLARATION

In response to the Trump administration’s dismantling cuts and devastating attacks on FEMA programs and missions, we are proud to host and publish their Katrina Declaration below.

Please read their Declaration below and join with us all by adding your name to our Statement of Solidarity and Support for the brave dissenters of the FEMA Katrina Declaration

ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT HERE

KATRINA DECLARATION AND PETITION TO CONGRESS

TO: Members of Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council

CC: U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security; U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; U.S. House Committee on Appropriations; U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations; Members of Congress

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, claiming an estimated 1,833 lives, leaving millions homeless, and causing approximately $161 billion in damage. Hurricane Katrina was not just a natural disaster, but a man-made one: the inexperience of senior leaders and the profound failure by the federal government to deliver timely, unified, and effective aid to those in need left survivors to fend for themselves for days, and highlighted how Black, Indigenous, and low-income communities are disproportionally affected by disasters. These failures prompted Congress to pass the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), which introduced safeguards to ensure such shortcomings of disaster preparation and response would not be repeated. However, two decades later, FEMA is enacting processes and leadership structures that echo the conditions PKEMRA was designed to prevent.

Since January 2025, FEMA has been under the leadership of individuals lacking legal qualifications, Senate approval, and the demonstrated background required of a FEMA Administrator. Decisions made by FEMA’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator (SOPDA) David Richardson, Former SOPDA Cameron Hamilton, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem erode the capacity of FEMA and our State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners, hinder the swift execution of our mission, and dismiss experienced staff whose institutional knowledge and relationships are vital to ensure effective emergency management.

The agency’s current trajectory reflects a clear departure from the intent of PKEMRA. Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration. We the undersigned — current and former FEMA workers — have come together to sound the alarm to our administrators, the US Congress, and the American people so that we can continue to lawfully uphold our individual oaths of office and serve our country as our mission dictates.

The following are our Six Statements of Opposition from FEMA’s workforce and our Petition to Congress, which we hope come in time to prevent not only another national catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, but the effective dissolution of FEMA itself and the abandonment of the American people such an event would represent:

1) We oppose the reduction in capability of FEMA to perform its missions....

2) We oppose the ongoing failure to appoint a qualified FEMA administrator, as required by law....

3) We oppose the elimination of life- and cost-saving risk reduction programs....

4) We oppose interference with preparedness programs that build capacity for our SLTT partners....

5) We oppose the censorship of climate science, environmental protection, and efforts to ensure all communities have access to information, resources, and support....

6) We oppose the reduction of FEMA’s disaster workforce....

Our Petition for Action to the United States Congress

As provided under the Lloyd-La Follette Act (5 USC §7211), the signatories respectfully petition Congress to:

1. Establish FEMA as a cabinet-level independent agency in the executive branch.

2. Defend the agency from further interference from DHS, including illegal impoundments of appropriated funding; ensuring FEMA retains its full authority, responsibilities, functions, and capabilities to perform its missions.

3. Protect FEMA employees from politically motivated firings and ensure continued protection under merit-based personnel systems.

4. Demand transparency from OMB, DOGE, and FEMA leadership regarding internal employment policies and future agency reductions.

Who We Are

The signatories of this letter are FEMA employees from across the United States who are dedicated to helping people before, during, and after disasters, and who are members of the communities we seek to support. In addition to named signatories, we include anonymous signatories who share our concerns but choose not to identify themselves due to the culture of fear and suppression cultivated by this administration.

We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and public servants at the NIH, EPA, NASA, NSF and CDC who have released similar declarations concerning the administration's actions at their respective agencies. We dedicate this Katrina Declaration and Petition to 1) every life lost from disasters, 2) to the survivors who endured and rebuilt, 3) to every first responder and public servant who places service above self, and 4) to all the federal partners who serve alongside us to deliver our mission. Their sacrifices and courage strengthen our commitment to speak the truth, sound the alarm, and defend our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters.

PUBLIC SIGNATORIES (35)

NUMBER OF UNLISTED SIGNATORIES: 155

TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNATORIES: 191

Heroes!

EXPLORE THE GROWING LIST OF SUPPORTERS AND ENDORSERS HERE!
2 congresspersons
A bunch of Nobel Laureates
National Academies members
Thousands more, including me

FEMA employees placed on leave after criticizing the Trump administration in open letter

At least 21 Federal Emergency Management Agency employees have been put on administrative leave after they signed an open letter criticizing the Trump administration's disaster preparedness and response capabilities, the founder of the organization behind the letter confirmed to NBC News.

Colette Delawalla, who is also the executive director of the group, Stand Up for Science, said Wednesday that two of the employees who were placed on leave were working in Kerr County, Texas, on the ongoing response to the devastating floods in July when they learned they were placed on leave....

... The Washington Post first reported that employees involved in the letter had been placed on leave.

Reached for comment on the letter, a FEMA spokesperson said it was “not surprising” that “the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform.”

“Change is always hard. It is especially for those invested in the status quo, who have forgotten that their duty is to the American people not entrenched bureaucracy,” the spokesperson said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Noem, FEMA will return to its mission of assisting Americans at their most vulnerable.”

... In addition to targeting FEMA with severe cuts, the Trump administration has sent mixed messages about whether the agency should continue to exist. The president said in June that he wanted the federal agency to wind down after the hurricane season ends. Just a few weeks later, in June, Noem said on NBC News' "Meet the Press" that Trump didn't want the agency to be eliminated but to undergo an overhaul.

TACO, while Friendly Fire Barbie cosplays as a hand puppet.