*Why is the states inability to handle 2.5 of snow important? Because it shows how poor GAs disaster preparedness plan is. In the event of an act of terrorism or other disaster, were on our own. AJC:Metro Atlanta has received roughly $100 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for anti-terrorism training and equipment, as well as disaster planning. The so-called Urban Area Security Initiative, composed of five counties and the city of Atlanta, now receives $5 million a year, according to program Administrator Julia Janka. Its goals include figuring out ways to evacuate people in case of terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Janka said planning for a snowstorm could fall under its purview, if a state official had pressed for it. The risks were known. As early as 2002, the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency ranked traffic-snarling winter weather as the greatest potential hazard, ahead of a passenger plane crash, fire, flood or terrorism. Yet, even what planning the state had was lacking, according to a 2012 report by the Inspector General for Homeland Security. Scrutizing Georgia’s emergency preparation efforts between 2008 and 2010, the IG reported that GEMA “did not have an effective way to measure or assess overall state capabilities and emergency preparedness.” Ultimately, the power to handle a disaster that crosses jurisdictions falls to the governor.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 03:21:05 +0000