5/1/09: Comment On FEMA Nomination “HOLD” By Senator Vitter (LA)
5/1/09
Contact: Ben Smilowitz, 314-761-7631
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Disaster Accountability Project Comment On FEMA Nomination “HOLD” By Senator Vitter (LA)
Confirmation Hearing missed important opportunity to set benchmarks for FEMA improvements
Craig Fugate should tell the public how he plans to fix FEMA before he is confirmed
On May 1, 2009, Senator Vitter (LA) put a hold on the Senate Confirmation of Craig Fugate for the FEMA Administrator position.
See: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/67350.html
The Disaster Accountability Project has been asking Craig Fugate, the President’s FEMA Administrator nominee, to explain how he plans to fix FEMA before he is confirmed. The bungled response to Hurricane Katrina underscores the need for the Senate to provide comprehensive FEMA oversight.
See DAP Executive Director, Ben Smilowitz’s reaction to the Fugate’s Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing:
http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/2009/04/26/fema-confirmation-hearing-senate-oversight-requires-senate-participation
The Baton Rouge Advocate editorial staff endorsed the Disaster Accountability Project’s position that the Senate should use Mr. Fugate’s confirmation hearing as an opportunity to learn if, and exactly how, FEMA is turning a new page.
See: http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/41004072.html
“The Senate had an opportunity to create a new ‘culture of accountability’ in the confirmation of a new FEMA Administrator. The hearing did not set clear benchmarks for FEMA improvements that the public can monitor,” said Ben Smilowitz, Executive Director of the Disaster Accountability Project. “The nation cannot afford a rubber-stamping of FEMA’s leader while the nation remains dangerously unprepared for hurricane season and other man-made and natural hazards.”
The Disaster Accountability Project has prepared a number of questions the organization is sending to Senators and Mr. Fugate.
Full-text of the questions and more extensive background can be downloaded here:
http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dap-fema-confirmation-questions.pdf
–Summary of Selected Questions–
Question on Supporting Local Emergency Plan Development: As FEMA Administrator, what will you do to ensure state and local governments maintain the most comprehensive and updated emergency plans? Would you support attaching requirements to FEMA’s preparedness grants that require state and local governments to maintain updated and comprehensive emergency plans? (page 5)
Question on Mass Care: Given the fact that the Red Cross is not capable of filling the role of primary agency for mass care, how can FEMA compensate and ensure that mass care services will be adequately provided? When will FEMA clearly document the expectations of the Red Cross and other volunteer organizations relating to mass care? (page 8)
Question on Post-Disaster Communications: As FEMA Administator, how will FEMA work with states and vulnerable communities to ensure information about post-disaster relief services is provided effectively, especially when television and internet is not available? Might FEMA provide preparedness grants to states, counties, or municipalities to create radio stations dedicated to providing emergency information? (page 10)
Question on Disability Policy: In light of Section 513 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act and the federal governmentís commitment to providing disaster preparedness and assistance to individuals with disabilities, as FEMA Administrator, how will you prioritize the creation of these regional disability coordinator positions and fund these positions in the current or next fiscal year? (page 12)
Question on Economy and First Responder Budget Cuts: As FEMA Administrator, 1) how will FEMA address the increasing number of cuts in first-responder services across the United States? 2) What is FEMA’s role in assisting local first-responder units facing cuts due to state and municipal budget deficits? 3) What changes would you make to these grant programs? (page 14)
Question On Housing: Under your leadership as FEMA Administrator, a) will FEMA focus on a short- or long-term housing strategy, b) what efforts will be made to ensure this planning happens before a major storm so people know what to expect from their government, c) how will you prioritize this? (page 17)
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The Disaster Accountability Project (DAP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of the United States disaster management systems through public accountability, citizen oversight and empowerment, whistle-blower engagement, and policy research and advocacy. The Disaster Accountability Project’s website is https://disasteraccountability.org.
A toll-free hotline (866-9-TIP-DAP) is available as a public service for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical gaps in disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery services or planning. The group is recruiting a national network of Disaster Accountability Monitors and Bloggers to help report, verify, and publicize gaps in disaster services or planning.
Disaster Accountability Project is a 2008 Echoing Green Fellowship Organization.
For more information: http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellows/ben-smilowitz
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