Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, today performed the swearing-in of members to the National Commission on Children and Disasters.  Dodd was the Senate sponsor of the legislation approved by Congress last year that created the Commission, which is charged with analyzing how the Federal government can better meet the specific needs of children before, during and after disasters.  The bill was endorsed by Save the Children, based in Westport, Connecticut.  Save the Children’s Vice President and Managing Director Mark Shriver is the elected Chairman of the Commission.   

“When disaster strikes, we have no higher priority than protecting the health and lives of our children,” said Dodd.  “Far too often, our nation’s disjointed system of disaster response programs fails to respond to the unique needs of children in crisis.  From diapers and formula to education and counseling, there are countless items and needs specific to children that must be incorporated into emergency planning and recovery efforts.  Through this Commission’s valuable work, we will ensure that when a future disaster occurs, the safety of our children will be a top priority.”

One member sworn in this morning was Bruce Lockwood of Canton, Connecticut, the Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator for the Bristol-Burlington Health District. Mr. Lockwood has 25 of years experience in emergency management, emergency medical services and public safety, with extensive planning at the local, regional and state levels for children’s needs in disaster situations. Bruce served as the Canton Schools All Hazard Planning Chair, and as a member of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership School Safety Portal Committee and the Child Safety and Crisis Response, State of Connecticut, Daycare and Child Care Subcommittee; he also served on the Connecticut Public Health Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee. He was nominated to the Commission by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as an expert on public safety and emergency planning specific to the unique needs of children.

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