Foresight vs. Flexibility

The Homeland Security Department is retooling its National Response Plan to try to be better prepared for disasters like Hurricane Katrina in the future, AP reports. But front-line responders say what really matters is the flexibility for government organizations to adapt responses to whatever a particular event demands.

"When you have a disaster, nothing goes by any kind of plan," said Dr. Arthur Wallace, leader of an Oklahoma FEMA medical team that was dispatched too late to get to New Orleans before Katrina hit.