WASHINGTON – Today, FEMA senior leaders urged continued attention to the potential impact of Hurricane Dorian as it makes its way north along the eastern seaboard.
Acting Administrator Pete Gaynor spoke to The Weather Channel’s “AMHQ: America’s Morning Headquarters” and highlighted the agency’s coordination with government and private sector partners to prepare the nation ahead of Hurricane Dorian impacts.
“The way the system works in emergency management is really whole of government. Even though we have ‘emergency’ in our name, it really is all our partners that make it happen from our sister federal agencies to our private partners like AT&T and Red Cross. They’re all out there,” said Gaynor.
He also spoke about the need for the public to understand the role of FEMA in disaster response and recovery.
“In general, emergency managers are not first responders. We have some first responder assets like Urban Search & Rescue. But for the whole system to work effectively, it really is a partnership. So, like I said before, local, state, federal, our private partners and our citizens make up that system. If that system works correctly, it’s a great thing to see.”
Acting Administrator Gaynor provided President Donald J. Trump an update from Georgia on the Federal government’s readiness to support response needs in a briefing carried by MSNBC earlier this afternoon.
“We are ready to go today. This is a whole of government effort. We're ready to respond to multiple states. We follow the storm up the coast until Dorian isn't a threat,” said Gaynor “Just to give a quick overview: 4,000 federal responders are deployed. That doesn't include 6,000 national guardsmen mobilized. We also have American Red Cross spaces with 55,000 potential evacuees, and 40,000 land workers who are ready to restore electrical lines. Again, we'll follow until Dorian isn't a threat."
Associate Administrator for the Office of Response & Recovery Jeff Byard appeared on FOX News’ “America’s Newsroom” to discuss the continued need for those in Hurricane Dorian’s forecast cone to remain alert to possible impacts.
“Please make sure you’re heeding your local and state warnings,” said Byard. “This storm has been a very slow-moving storm and it has caused a lot of fatigue along the coast, but it is coming. Residents in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia: Dorian is headed your way.”
He also spoke to the challenges and benefits of Dorian’s slow movement. “We want to take advantage of every minute we have,” said Byard. “You have to have the mental patience and operational discipline to understand that you’ve got to be here for the long haul.”
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