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'The Boss' Comes To Big Apple

Photo of FEMA Administer Craig Fugate; Addressing a standing-room only crowd of Region II employeesAddressing a standing-room only crowd of Region II employees, FEMA Administer Craig Fugate laid out his vision for the agency, opening the Region II "All-Hands" meeting with, "I'm only interested in outcomes."

He challenged the audience with the question, "What credible system is capable of feeding 22 million people? (Twenty two million is the population of Region II's Tier 1 UASI area, which extends from western Connecticut, New York City and its suburbs, across northern New Jersey to eastern Pennsylvania.) Noting that "all planning assumptions look at the public as a liability that we have to take care of," he went on to say that "government-centric approaches have failed every time," and repeatedly emphasized the vital importance of the private sector in both emergency response and long term recovery, to ensure successful outcomes.

"Preparedness is not optional," the Administrator went on to say. "Everything we do must build on this."

For the public that means 1. Have an emergency plan; 2. Learn CPR or other emergency response procedures to support and augment first responders; and 3. Secure your family, then checking on a neighbor, the Administrator said.

Acting Regional Administrator Mike Moriarty thanked Mr. Fugate for his direct, plainspoken approach in laying out his vision and in responding to questions, awarding him the Region's highest honor:  "You're an honorary New Yorker."

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 14:33:56 EDT