| FEMA and American Red Cross brief the private sector on the National Response Framework
The forum was specifically designed as a venue to exchange information and begin a dialogue with partners outside of government involved in emergency management, disaster recovery, and economic resiliency. Keynote speakers Dennis Schrader, FEMA Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, and Robert B. Stephan, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, addressed the need for public-private partnerships that include local emergency management. “It is important to remember that all disasters are local, and everyone has a role,” said Schrader. “FEMA does not take over in a disaster. We work hand in hand with our partners to provide the consistent guidance and framework which everyone needs to succeed.” Schrader also spoke to the need for individual organizations to understand the types of hazards most like to affect them, and take steps to mitigate the effects of natural or man-made disasters, like earthquakes, major power outages, or facility accidents. “You need to be plugged in to local emergency management to know what type of disaster the area may face,” said Schrader. “The action is at the state and local level, with CEOs, Chambers of Commerce, and other groups that know their communities.” Two panels of experts discussed ways to partner to reduce the impact of disasters, and how to leverage partners in incident management. The panels were moderated by Stephen Jordan, senior vice president and executive director, US Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center and Lynne Kidder, senior vice president, Business Executives for National Security (BENS) Business Force. Panelists included representatives from the American Red Cross, AidMatrix, the US Small Business Administration, the US Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. General Services Administration, and Sprint-Nextel. For more information on the National Response Framework, visit www.fema.gov/nrf
•Date: 22nd May 2008• Region: US •Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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