An article in the New York Times (January 4,2013) describes recommendations by two committees examining planning before and improving performance after a disaster strikes. The recommendations include building local fuel stockpiles, requiring some gas stations have generators that can assist fuel availability during power outages and building reserves of emergency equipment. In addition, it recommends having databases to track elderly who may need assistance. Should all these tasks be done by the state government or contracted to private industry with performance specifications ? Should the government pay for the generators or can prices at gas stations be allowed to rise during catastrophes to cover the cost of operating the generators ? Should the government contract to use retail inventories during catastrophes thus avoiding holding them all the time ?