U.S. response in Puerto Rico pales next to actions after Haiti quake
disq.us
"After an earthquake shattered Haiti’s capital on Jan. 12, 2010, the U.S. military mobilized as if it were going to war.
Before dawn the next morning, an Army unit was airborne, on its way to seize control of the main airport in Port-au-Prince. Within two days, the Pentagon had 8,000 American troops en route. Within two weeks, 33 U.S. military ships and 22,000 troops had arrived. More than 300 military helicopters buzzed overhead, delivering millions of pounds of food and water..."
...
"...By contrast, eight days after Hurricane Maria ripped across neighboring Puerto Rico, just 4,400 service members were participating in federal operations to assist the devastated island, an Army general told reporters Thursday. In addition, about 1,000 Coast Guard members were aiding the efforts. About 40 U.S. military helicopters were helping to deliver food and water to the 3.4 million residents of the U.S. territory, along with 10 Coast Guard helicopters..."
"...In advance of the storm, Gov. Rick Scott, R-Florida, activated the entire Florida Army and Air National Guard -- about 7,000 available members -- to help with planning, logistics and support. The governor said that 1,000 high water vehicles, 13 helicopters, 17 boats and more than 700 generators were on standby.
In addition, the National Guard Bureau has identified approximately 30,000 troops, 4,000 trucks, 100 helicopters and air evacuation crews that are standing by for Hurricane Irma support.
At the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, on Saturday, President Donald Trump convened a Cabinet meeting ahead of the storm for briefings on the progress of Irma and the following Hurricane Jose, which the National Hurricane Center said took a turn to the north to spare many of the Caribbean islands already devastated by Irma.
Trump directed all federal agencies to back the Federal Emergency Management Agency to "continue supporting state and local efforts to save lives, promote shelter efforts, and expedite requested assistance to affected areas," the White House said.
The president also amended the disaster declaration for the U.S. Virgin Islands to increase from 75 percent to 90 percent the level of federal cost sharing for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and federal assistance, the White House said.
"Search and rescue forces, strategic and vertical lift, planning, communication and medical capabilities are on 'Prepare to Deploy Orders' to facilitate a timely post-landfall response" in Florida once the storm passes, the Pentagon said.
The Army said Saturday night that active duty, Reserve and Army National Guard personnel were either already involved in the Irma response or preparing to give support..."
disq.us |
