Council to focus on emergency planning, preparedness and response
Release Date: October 3, 2007
Release Number: R1-07-032
BOSTON, MA -- As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) on-going effort to strengthen New England's emergency preparedness and response capabilities, it has named a 21 person Regional Advisory Council. The Council, which is made up of state, local and tribal representatives from all six New England states, will help advise FEMA's Regional Administrator on all aspects of emergency management and disaster preparedness in New England.
"I am so impressed by the members of the council and their dedication to emergency management," said Arthur Cleaves, FEMA Region I Regional Administrator and Chair of the Council. "It was our goal to have a diverse group of leaders that could advise on emergency management in the region and we accomplished that."
Honorary Co-Chairs of the Council are Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and New Hampshire Governor John H. Lynch.
The council is charged with reviewing preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation programs and policies to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements. A primary goal of the council will be to improve communication and understanding among the various organizations involved in emergency management and response in New England. The Regional Advisory Council will conduct its inaugural meeting October 9 in Boston.
"New England is unique in that most disasters affect the entire region so by having a regional perspective on emergency management, we can better prepare and respond to the next hurricane or a pandemic outbreak," said Cleaves.
Members initially will serve staggered term lengths. One third will serve for one year, one third will serve for two years and one third will serve for three years. Eventually, all terms will be three years long. FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10-Oct-2007 13:13:48