The embattled head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration has been sent back to Washington, and a Coast Guard Admiral has been named to run relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it was announced at a FEMA press conference today.
Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen will assume command of relief operations, replacing FEMA Director Michael Brown, who has been criticized for his handling of relief operations following the hurricane.
In the press conference, Admiral Allen said he was told this morning by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that he would be heading up the operations.
Mr. Brown has not been removed as head of FEMA, but he is no longer in charge of daily operations, according to reports.
The Admiral said there is a plan relief to coordinate efforts with cooperation from all the federal, state and local officials on board.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Mr. Brown was planning to leave at the end of the hurricane season, but this move could signal his early departure from the job.
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