Senator Vitter’s hold on the nominee for FEMA Administrator short-changes the challenges facing millions of Gulf Coast residents still recovering from hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Ike, and other recent storms, and those preparing for hurricane season about to begin in less than a month.

Instead of representing the millions in harms way, Senator Vitter has chosen to focus on a much smaller subgroup of residents.  In fact, the spotlight on V-Zone development could prove counterproductive by drawing attention to an already controversial issue.

Less than one month out from Hurricane Season, Senator Vitter (and the Senate Homeland Security Committee and Senators from more-vulnerable states) should be asking a number of questions of concern to Louisiana and the rest of the nation.

Why isn’t Senator Vitter concerned about:

1) The looming evictions of as many as 4600 FEMA trailer occupants in Louisiana and Mississippi and the necessity for the evictions, especially after the bungled Katrina response and knowing that homelessness will likely result for many.  Most important, focus on the need for long-term post-disaster housing solutions.
See:  http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fema-trailers6-2009may06,0,2887250.story

2) Fixing the date of Hurricane Gustav’s disaster declaration by three days to allow Louisiana residents to apply for evacuation reimbursements.
See:  http://www.nola.com/news/?/base/news-1/123994630030560.xml&coll=1

3) Asking FEMA how the agency can help support Louisiana parish Emergency Plan development?  Many parish emergency plans have not been updated since before Hurricane Katrina.
See:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20090506/NEWS01/905060307/1002/Louisiana+emergency+plans+show+gaps
See:  http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/2009/05/05/report-on-22-southern-louisiana-parish-emergency-plans-released/

4) Fixing the FEMA Disability Coordinator position to ensure it is taken seriously and in compliance with the Post-Katrina Act and regional disability coordinator positions are prioritized.
See:  http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dap-testimony-house-hs-march09.pdf

5) And a number of other questions…
See:  http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/2009/04/26/fema-confirmation-hearing-senate-oversight-requires-senate-participation/

Senator Vitter:  If you are not going to ask about the issues that are important to most constituents, so the public can better understand how Mr. Fugate plans to fix FEMA, give the FEMA Nominee a chance to begin work a few weeks before hurricane season begins!  The clock is ticking.

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The Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of the United States disaster management systems through public accountability, citizen oversight and empowerment, whistle-blower engagement, and policy research and advocacy. The Disaster Accountability Project’s website is http://www.DisasterAccountability.org.

A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available as a public service for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical gaps in disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery services or planning.  The group is recruiting a national network of Disaster Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and publicize gaps in disaster services or planning.

Disaster Accountability Project is a 2008 Echoing Green Fellowship Organization.
For more information:  http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/ben-smilowitz