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FEMA suspends rescue team because it had an armed escort
The Arizona Daily Star reports that FEMA has barred the Phoenix Fire Dept search and rescue team from its actitives, because it brought along armed police officers (deputized as federal marshals) while rescuing about 400 people in New Orleans.
"After Hurricane Katrina, firefighters faced deployment to areas plagued by looting and lawlessness. Twice, Phoenix's team was confronted by law enforcement officers who refused to let them pass through their communities and told them to "get out or get shot," Gordon said.
The Phoenix team was told that its help was no longer needed after members of the group were seen embarking on a helicopter flight with a loaded shotgun while helping with the aftermath of Rita."
It says quite a bit about the situation in NO that rescue teams were refused entry by local law enforcement there, let alone threatened with lethal force!
Here's a link to the AP coverage.
Comments
Remember this when they talk about federalizing first response.
Posted by: Walter E. Wallis at October 6, 2005 02:30 PM