FEMA Director Marks Anniversary of New Mexico's Cerro Grande Fire
Release Date: May 4, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-CG20
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One year after New Mexico's Cerro Grande Fire, FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh sent two letters, one to the fire's survivors and one to the local Los Alamos newspaper.
Dear Cerro Grande Fire Survivors:
Those of you whose lives were changed forever by the Cerro Grande Fire may be acknowledging the first anniversary of the disaster in a variety of ways. Although I won't be there personally for the anniversary, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
As each of you intimately knows, some of your losses can never be replaced. And yet, you have all worked very hard and made tremendous progress toward recovery.
At this time of reflection, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment and the commitment of the entire Cerro Grande Fire Claims staff to continue to do everything we can to assist each of you in the recovery process.
After having the opportunity to talk with some of you during my last trip to Los Alamos and the surrounding communities and pueblos, I was pleased to see that the compensation process is faster and easier.
You have my promise that we will continue to improve the process to better meet your needs. I hope you will continue to let us know where improvements are needed, and ideas you may have to help us be more efficient and fair. We appreciate and invite your feedback.
It is my hope that with the help of family, friends, the community and the Cerro Grande Fire Claims staff, this spring will continue to be a time of renewal.
Sincerely,
Joe M. Allbaugh
Director
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dear Los Alamos Monitor Editor:
Those whose lives were changed forever by the Cerro Grande Fire may be acknowledging the first anniversary of the disaster in a variety of ways. Although I won't be there personally for the anniversary, I send my thoughts and prayers.
As each fire survivor intimately knows, some losses can never be replaced. And yet, those impacted by the fire have worked very hard and made tremendous progress toward recovery.
At this time of reflection, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment and the commitment of the entire Cerro Grande Fire Claims staff to continue to do everything we can to assist each and every fire survivor in the recovery process.
After having the opportunity to talk with some survivors and community leaders during my last trip to Los Alamos and the surrounding communities and pueblos, I was pleased to see that the compensation process is faster and easier.
I promise that we will continue to improve the process to better meet the needs of fire survivors. I hope everyone will continue to let us know where improvements are needed, to help us be more efficient and fair. We appreciate and invite any and all feedback.
It is my hope that with the help of family, friends, the community and the Cerro Grande Fire Claims staff, this spring will continue to be a time of renewal.
Sincerely,
Joe M. Allbaugh
Director
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-Dec-2003 13:55:11