Congresswoman Laura Richardson Challenges Officials from FEMA to Improve their Delivery of Goods and Services during Disasters

Press Release

Congresswoman Laura Richardson Challenges Officials from FEMA to Improve their Delivery of Goods and Services during Disasters

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson questioned officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on what they are doing to improve their response efforts in the aftermath of disasters at the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response hearing "Emergency Logistics Management: Transforming the Delivery of Disaster Relief for the 21st Century." Congresswoman Richardson, who is chair of this subcommittee, probed these officials to see what tools they are using to meet their emergency response goals and she challenged them to improve their internal operations and protocols to more effectively use their resources and those of nongovernment aid agencies.
"In our living world, disasters are a matter of life -- whether earthquakes, hurricanes, fires or manmade -- the only thing that is certain is that there will be another, that's why our ability to quickly and appropriately respond to them must be constantly improving and flexible enough to meet any situation," Congresswoman Richardson said. "Today marks the one year anniversary of the tsunami that devastated American Samoa, resulting in 200 dead, 2,000 homeless and 6,000 without power. Shortly after it happened, I traveled to American Samoa and Samoa to observe the extent of the devastation and to deliver relief supplies contributed by the people of California's 37th Congressional District, which is home to the largest concentration of Samoans living in the continental United States. This trip, along with my recent trips to the Gulf following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have given me increased insight into the needs of those impacted by these types of events. They have also given me a firsthand look at the successes of our relief efforts and in some case the problems that plague our response."

In addition to hearing from FEMA and DHS officials, Stephen Irwin from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, which works with FEMA and DHS to coordinate rescue and relief efforts between those agencies and nongovernmental agencies and nonprofits, was at the hearing to share the needs and suggestions his organization sees as necessary for creating stronger relationships between the different organizations and putting in place the proper protocols so government relief efforts can get the best use of outside aid and supplies.

"As our federal government looks to further rely on charities across the country for disaster relief, we must ensure that the countless volunteers and all the donated supplies are viewed as a critical part of the solution, not liabilities," Congresswoman Richardson added. "It is also important that we remind everyone of their own responsibility as individuals to prepare for disasters. For example, individuals across the country can be more prepared for the next disaster by making a family emergency plan, assembling an emergency supply kit, and learning about possible threats in their area. While National Preparedness Month 2010 is coming to a close with the end of September, our efforts to be prepared for disasters should never cease."

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