Leadership Journal

October 26, 2007

The California Fires

Mark Everson, American Red Cross, Governor Schwarzenegger, California, and Secretary Chertoff discuss status of the response to the fires on Tuesday. (Photo USCG) America has witnessed the wildfires raging in California this week, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims, evacuees, and responders who are working around the clock to gain control of this disaster. I want to take a brief moment to share a few comments with you from my experience on the ground.

Early Tuesday, FEMA Administrator Dave Paulison and I flew to Southern California to assess the situation and support the state and local officials managing the response effort. When we arrived we saw massive fires fueled by near-hurricane force winds engulfing thousands of acres of land and threatening property and lives.

What we also saw were heroic firefighters battling these infernos with exceptional bravery. We witnessed emergency managers efficiently directing relief supplies, personnel and evacuations. I want to personally thank all the men and women who have had a hand in fighting these fires and helping during this disaster. Many firefighters and response personnel work 18 to 20 hour shifts, rest a few hours, and then go back into the hot zones to relieve their colleagues. They are the true heroes of this story, and deserve the support and gratitude of everyone in southern California and throughout the country.

These wildfires have demanded an efficient, coordinated response from all levels of government, and have underscored the value of being prepared for emergencies. San Diego’s reverse 911 system is a great example, and the shelter situation at Qualcomm Stadium is a useful model for future disasters.

We were also impressed by the incredible spirit of volunteerism throughout the communities we visited. The massive volunteer effort, coupled with orderly and successful evacuations, are examples the entire country can learn from when preparing for and responding to emergencies of any kind.

Thankfully, Mother Nature is beginning to cooperate and reduced winds are allowing firefighters to get a better handle on these massive fires. We’re still not out of the woods, but as we begin to transition from response to long-term recovery, the people of southern California can rest assured that we will continue to support them as they rebuild their homes and businesses.

Thanks for reading.

Michael Chertoff

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posted by DHS Journal at 3:45 PM

3 Comments:

  • The reauthorization of the Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended is now underway in Congress. Perhaps Assistant Director Cade of FEMA should be called the Federal Fire Administrator, a position re-established by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2004 after being abolished by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Perhaps DHS should take the lead in getting more authority to be the real federal leader in fire prevention, research and management issues. This does not mean that the wildland-urban interface arena does not have other experts that can be made use of. By the DOD has almost 50,000 civilian firefighters that should be the technological leaders for fire prevention and control and probably should be housed DHS and made available not just to DOD but the entire gamut of civil agencies instead of just wading through to their 20 year retirement under the special OPM classification for firefighters. With all due respect, the National Fire Academny should be the National Fire University and have close ties with the private sector standard setting organizations, and the former Bureau of Standards, now called NIST (National Institute for Technical Standars.) Mr. Secretary you might have someone on your staff conduct an inventory for currency and policy of all the IAA's, MOU's, and MOA's signed by components of DHS with other federal agencies. After all leveraging is part of the DHS mission.

    By Anonymous William R. Cumming, At October 31, 2007 10:43 AM  

  • If you were truly "impressed by the spirit of volunteerism" as quoted from your blog entry, you would give them equal mention and consideration as the "heroic firefighters battling these infernos with exceptional bravery."

    There were volunteers from the Red Cross, from the US Civil Air Patrol as well as other agencies that bravely risked their lives, while working long hours without any pay.

    "There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer."
    -Lt. Col. James 'Jimmy' Doolittle

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At October 31, 2007 11:55 AM  

  • The Reverse 911 emergency phone system was a main element in getting people to evacuate before the fires came too close. It hasn't ever been used before in San Diego and I don't think we knew just how SOON we would have to use it after installng it! I would say it was available in the nick of time! I feel better knowing that we have such a "warning system" for our residents.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At November 1, 2007 6:31 PM  

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