Analyze

In the aftermath of the hurricane, numerous issues arose for the evacuated citizens of New Orleans.First, the immediate affects of lack of access were apparent, such as lack of schooling, pharmacies, and employment. Then psychological affects appeared as people were told they couldn't return home, even if they were minimally damaged. The combined affects of the physical and mental conditions, combined with the lack of physicians and psychiatrists, led to a massive instability in the people. 

The government further exacerbated this instability by providing limited resources and shelter for victims. More exactly, the resources and shelter were unevenly distributed to the victims, favoring white mid- to upper-class citizens. The funds that otherwise should have gone to essential care facilities and housing, were unseen by the people. Promises of finanicial aid were never fulfilled, and no legislation (such as that in the wake of 9/11) was passed to support victims.

This leads to the creation of "disaster capitalsim" in which private companies benefit from the disaster and state-of-emergency, raising prices and suspending insurance policies. Poor government oversight of the private sector created deficiencies and health crises. 

The article concludes by suggesting the response to Katrina be examined to prevent the same mistakes from occuring in the future. However, there is a lack of optimism, as the system of response is ingrained into American Society. 

The article is supported through the use of interviews with Katrina survivors, providing first hand accounts and opinions of the recovery efforts from the storm, Statistics and policy moves from FEMA and other response agencies that worked in the aftermath of the storm, and data from census reports and other goverment sources to establish the scope of the disaster, and the widespread displacement and homelessness it caused.

The author uses historical accounts, statistical data, and current research to support the arguments/points made in the article. 

“Studies of traumatic event experience have shown that most people who experience an event do not develop psychopathology”

"Persons who live in a community where a disaster has occured may differ in their degree of exposure in the event. They may be affected directly, being present at the disaster site, or indirectly, having loved ones present at the disaster site or seeing images of the disaster in the media."

“The key functions of pre-disaster preparation efforts are to prevent or minimize exposure to potentially traumatic disaster-related events and reduce likelihood of additional post-disaster stressors, which are both associated with post-disaster mental disorders. Local governments and communities can reduce the likelihood and severity of disaster exposure”

There are 2 major groups of stakeholders described in the film, the Marine Corps and the people effected by diseased linked to the marine corps camps. The marine corps needed to grapple with the problems of waste disposal and the aftermath of how to deal with the effected people, while the people effected needed to survive the diseases, rebuild their lives, and persue justice from the military.

The Bethel Township EMS and Fire Department drafted this policy. As it stands, its the decision of the individual agencies and departments to determine whether on duty personnel can carry firearms. 

There doesn’t seem to be much coverage for the program, and it is pretty obscure outside of academia. 

This policy was created as a direct response to the Chernobyl Disaster. An interesing historical note is that the USSR and the Ukranian SSR were among the 69 states that signed the convention at the 1986 meeting, and both quickly ratified it afterward. 

More information on the pathophysiology and disease paths of the terminal illnesses discussed in this film would have increased the educational value and depth of this film.