President George Bush Watch: Post-Disaster Plan

President Bush participates in a briefing on Hurricane Rita at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. Military officials told President Bush on Sunday that the U.S. needs a national plan to coordinate search and rescue efforts following natural disasters or terrorist attacks

The ASSociated Press has Bush Told U.S. Needs Post-Disaster Plan.

Military officials told President Bush on Sunday that the U.S. needs a national plan to coordinate search and rescue efforts following natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Bush said he is interested in whether the Defense Department should take charge in massive national disasters.

“Clearly, in the case of a terrorist attack, that would be the case, but is there a natural disaster — of a certain size — that would then enable the Defense Department to become the lead agency in coordinating and leading the response effort?” Bush asked. “That’s going to be a very important consideration for Congress to think about.”

The President in time of emergency should have executive authority – as Commander in Chief.

Under the existing relationship, a state’s governor is chiefly responsible for disaster preparedness and response. Governors can request assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If federal armed forces are brought in to help, they do so in support of FEMA, through Northern Command, set up as part of a military reorganization after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Obvious…..DO IT!