the Jersey Shore chief says search-and-rescue operations taking priority , some fuel being supplied . Democratic and Republican officials praise FEMA 's response to James Lee Witt . ` This is the all-new FEMA , and the leadership is very , very good , very focused , '' said Dr. Irwin Redlener , a pediatrician and director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University 's Mailman School of Public Health . The agency 's performance after Katrina forced reforms . It 's now `` leaning forward '' and has closer ties with state and local counterparts .
the Jersey Shore chief says search-and-rescue operations taking priority , some fuel being supplied . Democratic and Republican officials praise FEMA 's response to James Lee Witt . The agency 's performance after Katrina forced reforms . It 's now `` leaning forward '' and has closer ties with state and local counterparts .