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When Frederick Douglass delivered his speech “What to the slave is the 4th of July?” in 1852 before the start of the Civil War, he laid bare the distance between the country’s founding ideals and the reality of life for millions of enslaved people. Thirteen years later, on June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of both the Civil War and slavery to 250,000 people still in bondage.
Disasters can strike with little warning, leaving very little time for last-minute preparations. Many people are responsible for taking care of others, and for some people, that commitment extends to furry or four-legged friends like pets, wildlife and service animals. For livestock owners and caretakers, the challenges are even greater, as these animals often have unique needs that are more difficult to meet.
In celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, we are taking time to honor Caribbean FEMA employees who help make our nation safer, stronger and more prepared.
Extreme heat is already affecting many areas of the U.S. This type of weather can impact every aspect of our lives, directly shaping how we work, learn and live. We are dedicated to minimizing these risks of extreme heat by supporting communities and preparing individuals. Learn how to build heat resilience for you and your family.
This month, FEMA joins the Biden-Harris Administration in the recognition of Pride Month, honoring the diverse members of the LGBTQI+ community and their vast contributions to our agency and our nation.
Throughout the year, FEMA works to build resilience in communities and prepare the nation for hurricanes. These actions are particularly important at the start of the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons. On May 23, the agency hosted our annual video teleconference (VTC) focused on FEMA’s posture and readiness. The conference is an opportunity for FEMA regions and agency leaders to collaborate, plan and prepare.
First proclaimed in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, National Missing Children’s Day falls on May 25 each year. The day honors the efforts of those protecting children and highlights the issue of missing and abducted children. FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) plays a crucial role helping locate missing children through distributing America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alerts.
Across the country – and around the world – our communities are experiencing the devastating effects of climate change in events like intensified wildfires. In some areas of the Unites States, wildfires occur year-round and are no longer seasonal events. Other regions that were never impacted by large wildfires like Maui, Hawaii and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, have suffered devastating losses.
This month, FEMA staff are celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by sharing some favorite recipes and go-to comfort foods.
FEMA’s Planning, Safety and Building Science Director and lead of the agency’s Building Codes Strategy, Ed Laatsch, shares more about the importance of building codes and how they contribute to a more resilient nation.
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