On our blog we are always talking about the team effort that is involved when it comes to emergency management. This team effort was on display this past Thursday as multiple federal agencies, including FEMA Regional Administrators Nancy Ward and Ken Murphy, as well as our state partners in Alaska testified before the House Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations regarding Tsunami preparedness for the United States.
Washington, DC, April 14, 2011 -- (From left to right) Mary Glackin, Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere for NOAA, FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward, FEMA Region X Administrator Ken Murphy and John Madden, Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the State of Alaska
As Regional Administrators Ward and Murphy pointed out in their written statement:
Tsunami preparedness is an important part of FEMA's catastrophic planning and preparedness efforts. However, we cannot do it alone. It is important to note that FEMA is not the nation's emergency management team - FEMA is just part of the team.
We work closely with the whole community, which includes our governmental partners at the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial levels; we leverage the resources of non-governmental entities, including private sector, faith-based, and non-profit organizations. Finally and most importantly, we work to instill a commitment to preparedness among individuals, families, and communities, who serve as our nation's 'first' first responders and the key to our success.
The tragic events in Japan serve as a solemn reminder to us of the gravity of our preparedness message. As we keep both the victims and survivors in our thoughts and prayers, please be assured we will continue to do all we can to ensure that we are as prepared as possible.
Watch the full hearing on YouTube and visit the Tsunami preparedness page on Ready.gov.