Coast Guard admiral to lead relief effort

Beleaguered FEMA chief Michael Brown sent home

Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown was replaced Friday as the man in charge of the Hurricane Katrina federal relief effort.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff named Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen to replace Brown.
Allen had been directing efforts in New Orleans as Brown's acting assistant. Chertoff said he informed Allen Friday morning that he would take over the entire FEMA mission in the region.
Brown, under fire over his qualifications and what critics call a bungled response to Katrina, will return to his duties in Washington as overall FEMA chief, Chertoff said."Admiral Allen has my full support in the very difficult work we have ahead," Chertoff said. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security, as is FEMA. A senior administration official said President Bush approved Chertoff's decision.