Disasters

==Background==
A report finds "significant flaws" in the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The White House says all levels of government were inadequate in their preparations and response to the disaster. The report made 11 key suggestions on how to better prepare for future disasters.
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* Planks about disasters from Mark Rauterkus
==Links==
* White House Lessons Learned about Katrina
===Chain of Command and Responsibility ===
The most solemn obligation of the President of the United States is to protect the American people. Millions of men and women throughout the Federal government —- both civilian and military -— work to in a dangerous world and do an outstanding job. 
As part of the review, we visited the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast during mid November 2005. We met with government officials, business and community leaders, and volunteers amidst the rubble of what had been their homes, schools, and places of worship. Their courage and fortitude in the face of tragedy was inspirational. And while we were determined to learn the lessons to improve our future disaster response, it was clear that for residents of the Gulf Coast, survival and hope still came a day at a time. We were struck by the decency and compassion of those we met and moved by their continuing emotion and pain. As you know, it is hard for those who 
Most of the people in Western PA did not witness first hand, a hurricane’s destruction nor its human toll. However, we need to fully comprehend the importance of these events. We need to be prepare to respond more effectively, here and elsewhere, to our fellow citizens in any time of great need.