When President Trump talked about beefing up the military during his campaign and then mentioned it in his address to the nation a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking — forget the military, the USCG needs beefing up. They don't have nearly enough ships and force structure to do everything that they are required to do today. Making the cuts proposed in their budget would neuter them even further. There wasn't any mention about ice breakers — but these are the ships that need to be built NOW! In a little bit, should they still be floating, grandkids of the original coasties who manned the boats when they were first launched will be manning the bilge pumps to keep them above the water line.
The idea that ports don't need the force protection that the Coast Guard gives is pretty crazy too. It makes no sense to me to have this border wall that sacrifices other elements of the security plan for the nation. As the Port Security Director at the Port of Tacoma, I used to say we have the front door locked and guarded (the land gates), but the back door is unlocked and wide open (water side). This would eliminate the minimal waterside security that exists in some port sectors.
Back to the cuts to FEMA. Those sound like they will roll on down to the programs supporting state and local emergency management programs. If this is going to happen, then I propose there be block grants given to states that they administer the distribution of resources with a specific percentage being passed down to local jurisdictions (since my compatriots often complain about states hogging the federal money).
It won't be long when old emergency managers are hanging out at bars and toasting the "good old days" of $3.2B in annual Federal Homeland Security Grants. I expect we'll need a song, something like "Where have all the equipment grants gone? There's no overtime and back fill for first responders, oh, what will we do?"
Remember these are all "proposed" and rumored cuts. There will still be time for fighting it out in Congress. Get ready to testify, NEMA and IAEM presidents!
Hey, I like the idea of a surcharge on flood insurance properties. Those who have the risk, should pay for it.
