Unfortunately, the response to Hurricane Katrina still remains a prime case study for illustrating poor or weak leadership in an incident response-at many levels. The lack of a truly integrated response, where interagency collaboration is not evident for the most part, also contributed to confusion and an ineffective response. Many argue that it was the uncoordinated efforts and leadership failings that added to the tragic death toll and extreme property damage.
These assertions may be contentious, yet the National Response Plan (NRP) was in effect prior to Hurricane Katrina, as was the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Therefore, it was the execution and implementation of these plans, networks, and programs that seemed to be the weak link.
For this assignment, click here to view The Storm. While viewing it, actively do the following:
- Pay close attention to leadership decisions-poor or wise-and how the interagency approach is employed well or badly.
- Think critically about how strong and intelligent leadership and an interagency approach could have been better used.
- Lastly, consider and speculate how and why certain outcomes might have been improved by higher quality decision making and robust interagency collaboration.