[Hoot Gibson]

Let's hope so.

I do believe there is a role for a "FEMA" and that is to help coordinate resources between different states, and if necessary give money directly to the states to spend on the ground. FEMA should have no active role on the ground, their role should be one of assisting in communication of needs of supplies between different areas of the country, helping provide transportation if needed of said supplies, and monetary assistance which goes directly to the states who then deal it out, obviously any system is going to have flaws, but I believe the more when can keep the people making the decisions at the local and state level, the less waste and more efficient that system will be.

Let's say a wildfire breaks out in KY, and is getting pretty big and obviously dangerous. It is likely that KY Fire/EMS/Disaster services are not well equipped or experienced to deal with such a thing, however, those in CO and CA are obviously very experienced. The state of KY would put a request for help controlling the fire to FEMA, who would then help CA and CO coordinate their resources and personnel to get them to KY quickly.

That should be about the only role of FEMA, other than being the route in which the Fed. Govt gives financial assistance to disaster areas (by giving it to the states)

If this was there only task, I think it's safe to assume they could be fairly efficient at that.

Good post, Beetle. I think that the federal government should also play a role in disaster relief when the federal government causes or precipitates a disaster, such as the collapse of a poorly designed, federally-funded levee or dam. Also, in the event of a terrorist attack, military attack, or damage to interstate transportation systems - I think that there is a role for the federal government to provide relief.