Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Chair Of The House Homeland Security Sub-Committee On Emergency, Preparedness, Communications And Response, Observes FEMA National Level Exercise First-Hand

Statement

Yesterday, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency, Preparedness, Communications and Response, observed first-hand the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Level Exercise (NLE). Congresswoman Richardson was invited by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to participate in the NLE 2010 Observer Program. In response to presidential and congressional requirements, the Homeland Security Council -- in coordination with DHS and FEMA -- created and put into place the National Exercise Program (NEP) to unify homeland security preparedness exercise strategies.

"After tsunamis in Samoa, earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, the underwear bomber and the recent Times Square bombing attempt, the NEP is needed to not only practice scenarios, response and recovery, but the exercise is needed to build Americans' confidence in this nation's readiness to respond and succeed in the elimination of a threat and protection of life, limb and property.

"First, to the men and women both civilian and sworn that I observed, September 11th is etched in their memory and reflected in their focus as they do their jobs in time of emergencies. To the American public, I can personally affirm that the work President Obama, Secretary Napolitano, Administrator Fugate and the entire implementation core team that practiced today and prepared to implement if needed tomorrow, is moving our country to a more secure Homeland."

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