BEFORE anyone wants to thump me on the head with a walking stick, let me admit on the outset that I am just an armchair critic. But since I am one of those who has free time to think of such things, it would not be rude to make a few suggestions.
Hurricane Katrina has come and gone. Those who happened to stray onto its path have also come and gone. Those who were foolish enough to test its limits have also come and gone. All that have remained are lessons and experiences that will benefit those who will probably face catastrophes of other forms, be they natural or man-made.
Here are some things worth pondering over for the sake of America's future:
1. The chain of command must be clear. If powers are centralised in Washington, it will definitely take time to put things in order. From Washington to New Orleans is a pretty long distance. So it's only natural that for a gigantic machinery to move, it will take time and along the way, you will have to kick some butts.
2. If a city is devastated, the first 24 hours are crucial. There must be in place an emergency committee that knows what measures to take and what have already been put in place.
3. All the people involved in rescuing people and saving a city must be constantly operating on survival mode. You do not sit around and smoke Cuban cigars or get down on your knees to ask God for deliverance. You have all the resources in your head to take matters in your own hands to do a great job.
4. The cardinal rule is to save as many people as possible and all those who want to be saved. Of course, there will always be a minority who want to take their chances. Leave them be. You can't save everybody. Take a lesson from the ancient city of Soddom and Gomorrah.
5. Mark out all escape routes and make sure there are more than a couple. Another well known escape route is by air. Consider military aircraft (vertical take-off type) like choppers and other smaller planes like the Cessna. Aircraft that need only a short runway would be of great help.
6. Emergency rations that can sustain life for 50,000 to 100,000 for at least a week should be considered.
7. When you think of emergencies, you must think of the nature of these scenarios. Are they man-made? Are they natural disasters, for example, hurricanes, tornadoes, quakes, meteorites, or massive fires? What are the counter-measures against such phenomena?
8. If the disasters are man-made, you have to adjust, adapt and overcome these scenarios in the shortest possible time. The moment after it happens, teams must move in to control the situation before it gets out of control.
9. The aftermath of any dire situation is the most crucial in terms of social consequences. Take for example, New Orleans. Because there was a total breakdown in law enforcement, the criminal elements quickly took advantage of the situation and emerged with all its evil intentions. So the law & order system must always be in place whatever the situation. Human beings of the undesirable kind tend to exploit lawlessness to their advantage in any part of the world. Looting is one classic example. Theft and murder are the spinoff effects of such times of uncertainty.
10. In most cases of national scale emergency, the military must work closely with public bodies. The Governor, city mayor, the president and his men must put aside their normal duties and attend to these matters with some urgency.
11. One of the most vital lessons to learn from the aftermath of Katrina is the amazingly slow response on the part of the government. I suspect the authorities did not expect the scale of the disaster to be so huge, almost biblical in proportions.
12. Since America already had a taste of a massive natural disaster like Katrina, it should now draw up a blueprint for disasters whether natural or otherwise. It would be foolish to think that this kind of thing won't happen for the next 150 years. Don't forget, the Asian tsunami only took place about three years ago.
13 The chances of another "big one" happening must always be considered as a possibility. This is where Scouts' motto comes in handy: Be Prepared. America is clearly unprepared despite the size of its army and the scale of its technology. Few countries are ever ready for disasters of such magnitude.
14. Look on the bright side. USA has now got the experience of the massive problems that come from a heavy blow from nature. Imagine what it would be like if a disaster is engineered by some psychos. It's the totally unexpected that a good government should prepare for. You can't really prepare for such and such a disaster per se but you can clearly get ready to handle an emergency of a high order.
15 International help must always be welcomed and you must have in place the infrastructure and logistics to handle such an in-pouring of aid from overseas. Don't be too proud to accept help. America may be the most powerful nation in the world right now but it is still vulnerable to many things beyond its control.
16. Organise teams across the wide continent of America to think about, draw up plans and train constantly to tackle emergency situations. A nation that is organised can handle better all the unexpected nasty happenings that fall unto its laps.
17. Think of energy resources that may suddenly escalate in prices or may become short in supply due to the emergency situation. Think of another fuel sources. Store up your fuel supplies. Expand your medical resources.
18. Pray hard. It's not foolhardy to think of God now and then. Who do you think put in place all those things that are of great challenge to the existence of mankind?
19. Think positive. Encourage your people with kind words and generous acts. People follow great leaders who do all for the country. Love clears the path of destruction anywhere in the world. Remember that always, even in your darkest hour.
20. America must not shy away from learning from other nations that have experienced similar if not worse disasters. For example, Japan has laid down a number of effective counter measures against earthquakes and tsunamis. When the tsunami waves hit the shores of more than 11 countries in Asia, Penang in Malaysia was among them. A Japanese tourist who was familiar with tsumai waves spotted the sign of this phenonmenon when the waves were several miles from the shore. She quickly alerted the hotel staff and a quick evacuation saved the lives of all concerned sunbathing in the beach. China is no stranger to earthquakes, neither is Indonesia. It would be good for US to compare notes with these countries and others about natural disasters and all the counter-measures that should be taken to minimise structural damage and death toll.
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