Disaster preparedness

Aug 13, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced plans for more than $1 billion in coastal protection and restoration projects in Louisiana. This announcement of projects today represents the largest investment in coastal protection programs in Louisiana history and includes $300 million in funding the Governor called for in his second special session of the legislature earlier in the year, $200 million in surplus funding from the 2007 legislative session, $510 million from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, $83 million from the state trust fund/capital outlay and $68 million from the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- FT. LAUDERDALE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, in his second address to more than 2,600 emergency managers, first responders, and volunteer agencies, praised their commitment to public service. He also encouraged all Floridians to prepare for the 2008 hurricane season during the general session of the 22nd Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference.

Florida hurricane damage: Photo by Zaylea (CC)    » read more »

EDGEWOOD, Md. -- 05/12/2008 -- Experts are predicting a “well above average” hurricane season for 2008, and the Maryland Army National Guard stands ready to respond.

In addition to attending quarterly flood rescue meetings and continually honing their skills as professional Soldiers by practicing lifesaving rescue techniques, Maryland Army National Guard aviators are now learning how to use a new piece of communications equipment developed specifically to talk to local first responders on the ground and government officials during an emergency.    » read more »

Napolitano testimony before U.S. House of Representatives on FLAME Act

April 10, 2008 -- PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano today told the U.S. House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee that Congress should pass legislation to provide separate federal funding for catastrophic wildfire response and suppression.

Smoke billows from a wildfire in Sedona, Arizona: Photo by cantaloupe99 (CC)    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt this morning outlined actions the state has taken to protect Missourians impacted by severe and dangerous flooding.

“Missourians should know that we are doing everything within our power to provide state resources to communities in need,” Gov. Blunt said. “I commend the local emergency managers who are diligently working to combat rising flood waters and to save lives and property.”

Gov. Blunt yesterday activated the State Emergency Operations Center, the State Emergency Management Agency, and the Missouri National Guard and mobilized state agencies to provide resources and assistance. Activities underway include:    » read more »

Longtime New Englander Captain W. Russell Webster, USCG (Ret.) Joins FEMA

February 20, 2008, BOSTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces the selection of Captain W. Russell Webster, USCG (Retired) as FEMA Region I's (New England) first Federal Preparedness Coordinator (FPC). The FPC position is a newly created job that is emblematic of FEMA's acknowledgment of and renewed emphasis on establishing and maintaining relationships with state, federal and tribal partners. FEMA has designated one FPC for each of its ten regions.    » read more »

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2007 — A new Oak Ridge National Laboratory initiative could help avert disasters in Tennessee, Mississippi and South Carolina and also lead to more information about climate change.

The new Community and Regional Resilience Initiative (CARRI) will be implemented in Gulfport, Miss., Memphis, and Charleston, S.C., to increase "resilience" - the ability to prepare for, respond to and quickly recover from natural and man-made disasters - of the three communities.    » read more »

Funds To Help Firefighters, Police, First Responders Communicate During A Disaster

Oct. 4, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced recommendations for more than $25 million in federal grants to help state and local first responders better communicate and coordinate with the public during natural or man-made disasters.

Governor Rendell said the recommendations are an integral part of allocating funding from the U.S. departments of Commerce and Homeland Security to Pennsylvania’s statewide plan for public safety interoperable communications.    » read more »

Insurer offers free booklet via The Hartford website to encourage families and friends to discuss the importance of planning for a natural disaster

September 11, 2007, WACO, Texas -- As Texas - and much of the Midwest - emerges from a series of major floods, federal and state officials are urging people to buy flood insurance before the next flood hits.

"Even if you weren't flooded recently, you may still be vulnerable to rising water," said Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Clark of the Federal Emergency Management Agency."    » read more »

September 11, 2007 -- NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently designated funding for six elevation projects in St. Tammany and Beauregard Parishes. Funding has been set aside to raise the dwellings to or above the base flood elevation level adopted by the local community, eliminating damage to structures due to a 100-year storm event.    » read more »

September 5, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today held a hearing to investigate the recent Utah mine disaster and how future tragedies can be prevented. The son of an Iowa coal miner, Harkin has continually pressed the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to improve mine safety.    » read more »

Sept. 4, 2007, LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Fatigue and Fracture Research Group was extending the lives of steel bridges long before the shocking Aug. 1 collapse of the Minneapolis I-35W Mississippi Bridge.

But in the wake of that deadly disaster, KU’s four-decades-long mission to make bridges safer has added urgency.    » read more »

- Many Atlanta Businesses Unprepared
- Small Businesses and Startups Especially Vulnerable to Damage from Network Disasters

ORLANDO, July 27, 2007 – Florida Governor Charlie Crist proclaimed today “Get a Plan Day” by announcing the grand opening of Florida’s State Response Center in Orlando. The Governor stressed the importance of disaster preparedness by joining a family as they purchased disaster supplies at a local Lowe’s in Jacksonville.    » read more »