When I was a workin' stiff, I did security clearance investigations on dozens of disaster workers from FEMA and the Small Business Administration. The FEMA people do the initial work, and SBA handles low-interest reconstruction loans and other long-term assistance. I was very impressed by the caliber of people FEMA employs in the field. Most of them brought years of experience from all walks of life - particularly construction and construction inspection - and they were dedicated people who really knew how to do the job.


But yes, they needed more authority. The political hacks in FEMA upper management had all the authority they needed and more - but they nerver seemed to be able to pass that authority down to the people who actually knew how to do the work. FEMA field workers have to do their jobs with their hands tied behind their backs, because upper managemrnt doesn't believe in delegating anything.


And that's a shame.


-Joe Offer-