FEMA to Host Emergency Management Meeting with New England Adjutant Generals 

Release Date: August 15, 2006
Release Number: R1-06-003

BOSTON, Ma. -- In the first meeting of its kind, Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a meeting of all six New England Adjutant Generals to discuss the regions emergency preparedness and plans for all-hazards response. In addition to the Adjutant Generals, The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), 5th Army, and NOAA will be represented and discuss their roles and activities regarding emergency management.

“This is the first time we have ever had a meeting of this kind with all of our key partners for the sole purpose of discussing emergency management,” said Arthur Cleaves, FEMA Regional Director. “Getting everyone in the same room and on the same page only strengthens the New England region for natural disasters and terrorism.”

The meeting will take place Wednesday, August 16 at the Federal Regional Center in Maynard, MA. Some of the topics to be discussed include FEMA’s, USCG’s and 5th Army’s response to an event, the 1938 Hurricane and the impact a hurricane would have on New England in 2006, evacuations, mass care and sheltering and a health and medical strategy when responding to an incident.

“By getting every state in New England involved in emergency management and preparedness, and doing it together, only speaks volumes to the regional commitment that exists in New England,” said Cleaves.

Participants in the meeting will also be provided a tour of the Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) facilities where many of FEMA’s highly technical equipment for the region is staged. Region I MERS has deployed the last two years in support of hurricanes in Florida, and the Gulf Coast.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Aug-2006 10:16:52