Posted by
Ron Devito on Friday, June 26, 2009 6:30:29 AM
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) Region X Administrator Dennis Hunsinger signed a disaster
response agreement that sets the stage for full federal participation
in the spring flooding disaster recovery on the Yukon and Kuskokwim
Rivers (Disaster Response, 2009, ¶1).
“When the state and
federal government work together in a cooperative fashion, we can
achieve far greater help for our residents,” Governor Palin said. “This
agreement allows the full depth of FEMA to work right next to our state
responders and help those affected by this record flooding season”
(Disaster Response, 2009, ¶2).
Signing the state/federal
agreement is the traditional next step after the president officially
declares an area a disaster. The agreement outlines the state/federal
match requirements to maximize federal funding. It also identifies
allowable expenditures of the federal money and selects state employees
who will be given authority to authorize use of federal funds (Disaster
Response, 2009, ¶3).
“Our cooperation with FEMA has already been
a great achievement, especially compared to other states,” said
Commissioner Craig E. Campbell, Alaska Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs. “This agreement brings the resources of the federal
government to the table and allows our residents to meet most of their
needs before winter hits” (Disaster Response, 2009, ¶4).
FEMA
has set up a joint field office in Anchorage to manage the federal
response to this disaster. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management has been working side by side with all of the FEMA
personnel to make sure there is continuity in service and recovery
assistance to all people affected by the spring flooding (Disaster
Response, 2009, ¶5).
Commentary
One
of the main criteria for assessing leadership skills, is how the leader
functions under crisis and in a pressure situation. This blog addressed
that subject in
Three Governors, One President. One Leader Among Them.
Governor
Palin took a disciplined, step-by-step meticulous approach to handing
the ice-jam flooding that occurred in Alaska's Interior region. She
visited the affected areas multiple times, thoroughly assessing and
gathering data -- and acting appropriately on it. She did not knee-jerk
and "ask for the moon" and she did not shirk or make excuses -- both
all too common these days with many so-called leaders.
Maintaining
discipline under pressure, following established processes, working
with facts, getting out of the office and doing site surveys, field
visits, tours; and ensuring constituents are served -- these are the
qualities one looks for in a leader. Governor Palin has them all.
References
Governor
signs FEMA, State Disaster Response Agreement. (2009, June 25). State
of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved June 26, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1932