SCOOP: Here’s the letter @FEMA sent to Puerto Rico Governor @wandavazquezg saying PR is “not well prepared nor has the ability to respond and manage a major event.” FEMA says the Governor has not responded even as a tropical storm is expected to hit the island in 36hrs.
Thread👇🏻
Thread👇🏻
FEMA’s Region 2 administrator Thomas Von Essen told the Governor, in the letter that’s dated July 14th, 2020, that, essentially: the agency was getting nowhere with her Chief of Staff and secretary of public safety so they thought going directly to her was the only option left.
FEMA lists its “Perceptions and Concerns” with regards to Preparedness and Reaponse”
“1.: Inability to staff an emergency operation center for 24/7 during a response”
FEMA says it trained 35 core members of the PR emergency management agency but now 29 may not be available
“1.: Inability to staff an emergency operation center for 24/7 during a response”
FEMA says it trained 35 core members of the PR emergency management agency but now 29 may not be available
“Inability to fill vacant positions”
•commissioner (an interim commissioner has been named)
•sub commissioner
•training & exercise officer
•mitigation director
•there is no qualification process in place to qualify individual assigned to the EOC in all hazard positions “
•commissioner (an interim commissioner has been named)
•sub commissioner
•training & exercise officer
•mitigation director
•there is no qualification process in place to qualify individual assigned to the EOC in all hazard positions “
“Contracting”
“We were informed that all contracting personnel have been removed from PREMB and transferred to (department of public safety) which leaves PREMB in a situation of delay when it comes to executing contracts efficiently both pre and post event.”
“We were informed that all contracting personnel have been removed from PREMB and transferred to (department of public safety) which leaves PREMB in a situation of delay when it comes to executing contracts efficiently both pre and post event.”
That’s important because “FEMA cannot substitute PREMB here because FEMA is not in privity of contact with the recipients contractors. “... it is vital that PREMB has its own procurement capability.”
“Lack of emergency power contracts”
“...all contracting personnel have been removed from PREMB and transferred to DPS (dept of public safety) which leaves PREMB in a situation of delay when it comes to execruting contracts for emergency work in response to a hurricane...”
“...all contracting personnel have been removed from PREMB and transferred to DPS (dept of public safety) which leaves PREMB in a situation of delay when it comes to execruting contracts for emergency work in response to a hurricane...”
“Lack of emergency power contracts”
FEMA “supplies over 900 generators to key facilities during hurricane Maria. Most of these facilities (especially PRASA (water) locations) still do not have back up power not contracts in place to provide backup power.”
FEMA “supplies over 900 generators to key facilities during hurricane Maria. Most of these facilities (especially PRASA (water) locations) still do not have back up power not contracts in place to provide backup power.”
“Lack off satellite communications”
The govt of Puerto Rico acquired 127 federal VSAT (sat phones) with the understanding the commonwealth had a pending satellite service provider contracts pending finalization after the acquisition of the units. This contract is not in place...”
The govt of Puerto Rico acquired 127 federal VSAT (sat phones) with the understanding the commonwealth had a pending satellite service provider contracts pending finalization after the acquisition of the units. This contract is not in place...”
“... nor is there an estimated finalization after the acquisition of the units. This equates to most public government locations on the island not having emergency communication capability. PREMB it’s waiting for the Dept of Public Safety to acquire a service contract.”
“Access to the Govenror during Reaponse”
The commissioner of the PR emergency management bureau is supposed to report to the Secretary of State and Public Safety Secretary, not the Governor. FEMA suggests the PREMB commissioner report directly to the Governor.
The commissioner of the PR emergency management bureau is supposed to report to the Secretary of State and Public Safety Secretary, not the Governor. FEMA suggests the PREMB commissioner report directly to the Governor.
It’s worth noting that the Governor, this week, met with Nino Correa who’s been named interim commissioner of the PR emergency management bureau
Here the rest of the letter
Here are all 6 pages of the letter that FEMA sent to the Governor. (Part 1)
(Part 2)
NOW: A statement from the administrator of @FEMA, @FEMA_Pete, was just released following the publication of the letter (below) from FEMA to the Puerto Rico governor which caused a major embarrassment on the eve of a tropical storm affecting the island.
NOW
