That explains it
"The Washington Post reported that five of eight top FEMA officials had come to their jobs with virtually no experience in handling disasters. The agency's top three leaders, including Brown, had ties to Bush's 2000 presidential campaign or the White House team that lays the groundwork for presidential trips."
Update: FEMA Dumps Brown as Katrina Relief Chief
That is reasonable and not unexpected (except from Bush who gives medals to people who screw up big), but Brown did a fairly good job in Florida last year (the exception being giving $31 million sight unseen to Miami residents who put in claims despite not being hit by a hurricane). And, realistically, a great many Agency Heads have little or no experience in the jobs they hold. They're political animals. However, the problem with FEMA (unlike most agencies) is that his staff has no background in the field either.
Update: FEMA Dumps Brown as Katrina Relief Chief
That is reasonable and not unexpected (except from Bush who gives medals to people who screw up big), but Brown did a fairly good job in Florida last year (the exception being giving $31 million sight unseen to Miami residents who put in claims despite not being hit by a hurricane). And, realistically, a great many Agency Heads have little or no experience in the jobs they hold. They're political animals. However, the problem with FEMA (unlike most agencies) is that his staff has no background in the field either.