Senator Clinton Reiterates Call to FEMA for Pre-Deployment of Critical Hurricane Supplies for Long Island

Clinton: Preparedness and Supplies are Vital to Ensure Long Island Residents are Protected in the Event of an Emergency

December 12, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today renewed her call to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pre-deploy hurricane and disaster preparedness supplies to Long Island for the 2008 hurricane season. In a letter to FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison, Senator Clinton urged FEMA to provide hurricane supplies to the area as was previously done in 2006.

Senator Clinton stated that while FEMA and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) are working to develop a regional supply center that would provide aid in the event of a major disaster, the center is still in development and that Long Island's unique geography must also be taken into serious consideration. Given these circumstances, Senator Clinton stressed that it is critical that Nassau and Suffolk counties receive assurance that adequate hurricane supplies will be made available by FEMA by February 1, 2008 to allow the counties time to prepare for the 2008 hurricane season.

“Given the unique geography of Long Island, and the fact that the FEMA and SEMO have not completed a new regional supply center, it is imperative that FEMA act to provide the necessary supplies to Nassau and Suffolk counties so that they can begin to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season,” said Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton has fought to ensure that Long Island would be prepared in the event a hurricane or major disaster does hit the area. In September 2007, Senator Clinton wrote to Administrator Paulison urging FEMA to continue to provide hurricane supplies as was done in the 2006 hurricane season.

As early as 2005, Senator Clinton met with the Long Island lawmakers to discuss emergency preparedness in the event that a natural disaster was to strike the area. The meeting was organized to address areas of concern for Long Island, including the development of a seamless communication system among all levels of government, the creation of a registry to help individuals and families with special needs, methods of evacuation, and a plan to coordinate efforts of local hospitals and emergency first responders.

The letter to FEMA Administrator Paulison is attached -

December 12, 2007

The Honorable R. David Paulison
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Dear Mr. Paulison:

I write in regards to the pre-deployment of hurricane and disaster preparedness supplies to Long Island for the 2008 hurricane season. In September 2007, I wrote to you requesting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continue to provide hurricane supplies to the region as was done in for the 2006 hurricane season. I was disappointed that supplies were not made available to Long Island for the duration of the 2007 season, but am hopeful that the plan will be reinstated for next year’s hurricane season.

Hurricane preparedness is particularly important to Long Island officials and residents. With a population of 2.8 million in Nassau and Suffolk Counties alone, its vast land area and shoreline, preparedness and supplies are of the utmost importance to ensure that Long Island residents are protected in the event of an emergency. I commend FEMA for working with the New York State Emergency Management Office to develop a regional supply center for the Northeast region. However, as this center is still in development and given Long Island's unique geography, it is important that Nassau and Suffolk Counties receive assurance that adequate hurricane supplies will be made available by FEMA by February 1, 2008 to allow counties to adequately prepare for the 2008 hurricane season.

I urge FEMA’s support and attention to the ongoing hurricane preparation efforts by Nassau and Suffolk counties. Should you have any questions please contact my office.

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

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