WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- A Labor union representing staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency says there are too few experienced workers there as hurricane season approaches.
Leo Bosner, president of the FEMA headquarters local of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement Thursday that experienced staffers have been quitting the agency as its budget and authority were progressively stripped from it since it was placed in the Department of Homeland Security more than three years ago.
Many FEMA jobs are currently filled by newly hired staff members who have received little or no training, Bosner said, adding that the exodus of seasoned workers employees quickened after last year's hurricane season. During the response to Hurricane Katrina, many employees worked 7 days a week for two months or more without a day off, often working 12 to 18 hour days, he said.
"Whether or not FEMA is ready for the hurricane season is a three-part question: Is the staff ready? Are there adequate supplies such as emergency food, water, and medicine? And are the top leaders at FEMA and DHS up to the job?" said Bosner. "The experienced staff who have worked through many disasters are ready, however there are fewer and fewer of them."
Last year, Bosner said, "The lack of adequate supplies and the lack of decisive, capable leaders at FEMA and (the Department of Homeland Security) undermined our ability to assist the Americans whose lives were upended by the storm."
"FEMA employees have been assured there will be more supplies on hand this year. We hope that is true. But are DHS and FEMA leaders ready for hurricane season? Let's hope so," said Bosner.
