So I've been involved, specifically in TX, with a few FEMA response efforts.

 There is, at this time, and this time only with the exemption of all other known times, historically or in the future, but this time and this time in exclusivity in reference to the current flooding event and only the current flooding event with the exclusion of all other known weather events historically or in the future, this weather event and this weather event only, a delay in response allocation.

 But FEMA had Red Cross trucks drive around empty... yeah at another time, and that was bad, however I am talking about this time.  At this time, my opinion is there is an unnecessary delay by requiring an Upper Administrative approval for resource allocation.  This is poor practice, and has proven to be so.  My opinion is this is poor practice, and has proven to be so.

 USR's can not, in my opinion, operate on a sub 100k budget.  Requiring authorization is similar, in my opinion, to stating a Fire Department needs written authorization to respond to fires that might do more than 100k in damage.  This is an opinion based off the objective fact Noem has to sign off on any FEMA response with potential allocation of funding over 100k.  

 USR's are essential to saving human lives.  The amount of training they go through, and the professionalism is above average, in my opinion.  This opinion is based off decades of building training exercises, which is a lived experience.  This means I have Observed these actions and as such exist as part of my Observed Reality.  However I can not say all data about the professionalism or training of USR's is accurate or not based off my Observations - instead I refer to the empirical evidence over my very limited personal experiences.   This should clarify that my intent is not to imply that personal Observations are not really real - but instead means that my Observed Reality is a poor qualifier for data or reference.

Eegore wrote on Yesterday at 06:26:44:


Excellent. C.Y.A. !

Not identifying one time, the first time used,what an acronym is, is poor form

 Urban Search and Rescue.  They are, by policy now, supposed to sit and watch until Noem approves, in writing, their implementation.  It's highly improbable that a USR can operate sub-100k today.  

 This opinion is based off of utilizing a multitude of budget allocations for natural disasters, and man-made demolitions, which is a lived experience.  This means I have Observed these actions and as such exist as part of my Observed Reality.  However I can not say all data about the budget of all FEMA USR's on the planet are accurate or not based off my Observations - instead I refer to the empirical evidence over my very limited personal experiences.   This should clarify that my intent is not to imply that personal Observations are not really real - but instead means that my Observed Reality is a poor qualifier for data or reference.