-- As the entire federal family continues to support states and communities as recovery efforts for Hurricane Irene get underway, today Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate joined local emergency management officials in New York City to kick off the eighth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), which falls every September.
Although this event was scheduled prior to Hurricane Irene, Fugate reiterated today that all of the recent disasters that U.S. have faced have only increased the need for a heightened focus on personal readiness and public awareness campaigns like National Preparedness Month. Fugate was invited to participate in the event by New York City's Office of Emergency Management and New York City's Citizen Corps Council, at the Times Square Subway Station in Manhattan to talk about the importance of family and community emergency preparedness.
"This year we recognize that September marks the ten year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Last week's earthquake and Hurricane Irene, along with the deadly tornadoes and flooding this spring, are all important reminders that disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. By doing what we can to ensure that our communities, and our nation, are prepared to respond and recover from all types of disasters and hazards, we honor the memory of those who were lost that day. Visit Ready.gov today to take simple steps to prepare you and your family for emergencies."
