WASHINGTON - U.S. Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, discussed their proposed Hurricane Katrina "Lessons Learned" Legislation in advance of the full committee hearing on the legislation this afternoon.

"The most efficient and effective way to fix the agency's problems is to strengthen FEMA within DHS, restore the nexus between preparedness and response, and improve coordination and communication at the federal, state, and local levels," Reichert said.  "That is exactly what our legislation will accomplish, and I look forward to our hearing this afternoon."

"After viewing the carnage left in the wake of last year's hurricane season, and working closely with the first responders who managed the chaos, I feel strongly that this legislation is best way to further prepare America for a large scale emergency incident," Pascrell said.  "We drafted this bipartisan legislation from the ground up and relied heavily on lessons learned during the preparedness and response lapses experienced last year.  One very critical provision requires that the preparedness leader have significant emergency management experience, and be elevated to a position with direct access to the President.  Qualified leadership and direct access to the President are critical to a rapid, thorough national emergency response."

Reichert and Pascrell explained that the proposed legislation would:

Preserve and Strengthen FEMA's role within DHS

• Establish FEMA as a new Directorate of Emergency Management, consolidating DHS' Directorate of Preparedness within FEMA, to increase coordination between FEMA and local first responders;
• Elevate the head of FEMA to an Under Secretary position, who will serve as the President's principal advisor on emergency management and report directly to the President in times of national emergency and crises;
• Require that the Under Secretary possess a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management;
• Ensure that the Secretary of DHS provide FEMA with the resources and staffing necessary to fulfill its mission, and require the Secretary receive Congressional consent before reprogramming any funds designated for FEMA.

  Improve Coordination, Communication, and Response at the federal, state, and local levels

• Establish two Deputy Under Secretary positions - one for Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation and one for Emergency Response and Recovery - both of whom will be well-qualified and report directly to the Under Secretary, to increase coordination between FEMA and local first responders;
• Establish DHS Regional Offices and Regional Directors to work in partnership with state and local governments, and emergency response and support providers, to ensure coordination and integration of regional preparedness and response activities;
• Allow FEMA to have teams on site faster through the Regional Offices;
• Grant the Regional Director, in a time of crisis, the ability to coordinate and direct the federal response within the operational area, and make operational decisions without having to obtain approval from headquarters.

"Some are calling for FEMA to be removed from DHS entirely; while I understand their frustrations with the agency, removing FEMA from DHS would seriously hamper our national emergency response capabilities," Reichert said.  "Separating FEMA from the Department would clearly undermine the all-hazards approach to disaster response and weaken FEMA by taking away the agency's access to DHS resources, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, one of our best assets during Hurricane Katrina.  Furthermore, it would impose a significant burden on state and local governments and first responders, who would be forced to work with two separate, duplicative agencies for disaster preparedness and response.  I strongly believe that strengthening FEMA within DHS is the fastest, most efficient way to make the necessary improvements within FEMA and improve our national disaster response," Reichert concluded.  "It is in the best interest of the American people."

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