The CBS Evening News (
Update: link
here) had a wonderful piece on tonight about
the US Coast Guard, their success rate in rescuing flood victims, and the approach that brought them that success. Bluntly put, they went in and said they'd worry about permissions and clearances later.
This, in that simple sentence, is what the rest of the US, state, and local governments need to adopt as a way of dealing with emergencies. It's not an everyday approach, to be sure, it's something for extreme circumstances. People needed help, and the Coast Guard went in and did what they had to do to help them.
I have a friend who worked a while back on the NatGeo series "Mission Rescue" with them. Some of the stuff they do is amazing, and they do not get enough recognition for their daring and effectiveness.
To say nothing of what the rest of just about everyone can learn from their approach.
Sorry, no extensive analysis, no lengthy list of links, just some kudos to real heroes here.