July 30, 2007   LIEBERMAN, COLLINS CALL FOR IMPROVED COLLABORATION AMONG STATES IN NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE   WASHINGTON – Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., Monday issued the following statement on a report by the Government Accountability Office examining the disaster-response capacity of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) network: “GAO’s report highlights the crucial role EMAC plays in providing individual states battling disaster with access to resources and emergency workers from other states and localities. Although created only 12 years ago, the EMAC network has rapidly grown into a necessary and vital component of our nation’s disaster response efforts. The most striking example is EMAC’s deployment of 66,000 aid workers to the Gulf Coast in 2005 to help with disaster response and recovery – roughly 50 percent of all out-of-state responders during the aftermath of those hurricanes. “However, the report also notes major growing pains affecting EMAC’s capacity to respond to large-scale disasters. Its framework, policies, procedures, and practices have not kept pace with its growing role as an essential player in disaster response. “Both the states and the federal government need to play a role in strengthening EMAC. We in the federal government must continue to support EMAC to help sustain its growing operations so that states continue to use this valuable tool for responding to future disasters quickly and efficiently.” -30-   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 July 2007 Press Releases   July 31 - Klobuchar, Alexander, and Lieberman Unveil Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Legislation   July 30 current Press Release   July 30 - REID, LIEBERMAN, FEINSTEIN ANNOUNCE MOST SWEEPING ETHICS, LOBBYING REFORM IN GENERATIONS   July 27 - LIEBERMAN CALLS ON FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SAFEGUARD INFORMATION NETWORKS   July 27 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS HAIL PASSAGE OF 9/11 SECURITY BILL CONFERENCE REPORT   July 27 - SENATE PASSES $100 MILLION FOR LIEBERMAN/COLLINS INTEROPERABILITIY GRANT PROGRAM   July 25 - 9/11 CONFERENCE REPORT TO INCLUDE LIEBERMAN, COLLINS’ PROVISION TO ENCOURAGE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN FIGHTING TERRORISM   July 25 - SENATE-HOUSE CONFEREES AGREE ON FINAL BILL TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACKS AND CATASTROPHIC DISASTERS   July 24 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS, CLINTON SEEK ANSWERS IN TB CASE   July 24 - NUSSLE TESTIFIES BEFORE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE   July 19 - LIEBERMAN PLEASED BY PRODUCTIVE 9/11 BILL CONFERENCE   July 19 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS PROBE DOD DISASTER RESPONSE READINESS   July 18 - LIEBERMAN SAYS CONNECTICUT FARES WELL WITH FY2007 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS   July 17 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS PROBE FEDERAL CONTRACTING WEAKNESSES   July 12 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS REQUEST EVALUATION OF DHS DISASTER RESPONSE CAPABILITIES   July 11 - LIEBERMAN, COLLINS CALL FOR STRENGTHENED ROLE OF INSPECTORS GENERAL   July 11 - KOHL, LIEBERMAN URGE NEW FEMA DISABILITY COORDINATOR TO MEET NEEDS OF SENIORS IN EMERGENCY PLANNING
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510