Metcalf reports to Rotary on Katrina experience

FALLBROOK — Bill Metcalf, North County Fire Protection District Chief, reported to his fellow members of the Fallbrook Rotary Club on his recent firsthand experience in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Metcalf was invited to help coordinate disaster relief in Louisiana and played a key role in restoring that state’s emergency operations system.

Metcalf noted that there were failures everywhere, from the leaders of emergency services to the failure of disaster preparedness systems supposedly in place to the failure of people to take care of themselves. He observed that in times...