Staff of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were left baffled on Monday after the head of the U.S. disaster agency said during a briefing that he had not been aware the country has a hurricane season, according to four sources familiar with the situation…
The remark was made by David Richardson, who has led FEMA since early May. It was not clear to staff whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context.
Richardson said during the briefing that there would be no changes to the agency’s disaster response plans despite having told staff to expect a new plan in May, the sources told Reuters.
Richardson’s comments come amid widespread concern that the departures of a raft of top FEMA officials, staff cuts and reductions in hurricane preparations will leave the agency ill-prepared for a storm season forecast to be above normal.
I’m not sure why he would think that’s funny but considering the level of humor we see from people like Joni Ernst, it’s not all that surprising. It’s also believable that this fellow would not know anything about natural disasters. Here’s his bio at the FEMA site:
Mr. David Richardson was previously appointed as the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD). CWMD leads DHS efforts and coordinates with domestic and international partners to safeguard the United States against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Mr. Richardson previously served as a United States Marine Corps ground combat officer. In uniform, he commanded artillery units, taught history at the George Washington University, strategy at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School, and Marine Corps Martial Arts. During the Long War, he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa. Mr. Richardson was awarded for valor during combat operations.
He wasn’t even a logistics officer. But he’s obviously muy macho and no doubt looks like he’s out of central casting so he’s totally qualified. Here is a previous story about Richardson’s “leadership.”
During his first all-hands meeting with agency personnel, acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Richardson issued a striking warning: “Don’t get in my way,” the former United States Marine Corps ground combat officer told staff, according to a recording of the speech obtained by CBS News.
“Obfuscation, delay, undermining,” Richardson continued, referencing tactics he believed a fraction of FEMA staff might try to subvert his agenda. “If you’re one of those 20% of the people and you think those tactics and techniques are going to help you, they will not, because I will run right over you. I will achieve the president’s intent.”
He seems nice. I’m sure he’ll do a heckuva job.