FEMA Director Allbaugh Visits Pentagon Attack Site
Release Date: September 15, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-110
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Washington, DC -- Joe M. Allbaugh, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore visited the site of the Pentagon terrorist attack today.
While visiting the Pentagon, Allbaugh met with the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams working on scene and took a first hand look inside the heavily damaged structure. The teams are part of four US&R task forces from Fairfax County, Va.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Montgomery County, Md.; and Memphis, Tenn.
"The work these dedicated search and rescue specialists are doing is nothing short of heroic," said Allbaugh. "The level of cooperation and professionalism by all of the federal, state, local agencies and responders has been outstanding, and the American people can be proud of the work they are doing to help the nation recover from this tragedy."
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 Pentagon attack, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for Virginia that makes federal resources necessary for emergency activities undertaken by state and local agencies. FEMA's response included the deployment of the US&R teams, whose activities are coordinated by FEMA.
Eight US&R teams are also working in New York City, at the World Trade Center. Allbaugh has also visited the New York disaster site and met with rescue worker, police and state and local officials there.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2003 16:00:48