Michael Chertoff
PER
Mr. Chertoff Michael Chertoff Chertoff
The homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, accepting the responsibility for the performance of the entire department, good and bad, told local and state disaster officials at a conference in Alexandria, Va. that he plans to fix what went wrong. The changes will include a cadre of new disaster response workers who will be available to respond quickly to any natural disaster or terrorist attack, which could number as many as 1,500, a department official said. Mr. Chertoff along with R. David Paulison and Frances Fragos Townsend also promised to revise rules on debris removal and temporary housing, so local and state governments could move faster to clean up after a disaster and house the homeless. They also said they would improve communications systems and the registration process for disaster victims, so there would be fewer delays in getting help for those most in need. The homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, said that he is accountable and he accepts responsibility for the performance of the entire department, good and bad. He also has the responsibility to fix what went wrong. The changes will include a cadre of new disaster response workers who will be available to respond quickly to any natural disaster or terrorist attack, Mr. Chertoff said, which could number as many as 1,500 as per a department official. Mr. Chertoff, R. David Paulison and Frances Fragos Townsend also promised to revise rules on debris removal and temporary housing, so local and state governments could move faster to clean up after a disaster and house the homeless. Them, repeating plans Mr. Chertoff outlined last year, also said they would improve communications systems and the registration process for disaster victims, so there would be fewer delays in getting help for those most in need.