A Congressional roundtable in Philadelphia this week will examine the rising costs of disasters and associated losses, hazards impacting Pennsylvania and the region, and best practices for mitigating and avoiding disaster impacts.
Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), Chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, launched a comprehensive analysis and ongoing discussion about trends in the rising costs of disasters across the government and private sectors, the drivers of the trends being observed, and what policy changes should be considered to reduce the costs of disasters. In March, Barletta introduced legislation, the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 1471), to help address these issues, and this week’s roundtable continues this effort.
Chairman Barletta and Subcommittee Ranking Member Andre Carson (D-IN) will lead Thursday’s roundtable entitled “The State of Pennsylvania and FEMA Region III are Leaders in Mitigating Disaster Costs and Losses." The roundtable will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Washington Square Conference Room A, 7th Floor of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III Offices located at 615 Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Members of the news media and the public can attend the roundtable after being cleared by building security. Members of the news media planning to attend please RSVP to Justin.Harclerode@mail.house.gov by email or phone (202) 225-9446.
In addition to Members of the Subcommittee, roundtable participants will include:
Ms. MaryAnn E. Tierney, Regional Administrator for Region III, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dr. Howard Kunreuther, Risk Management and Decision Processes Center, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Fire Commissioner Derrick J. V. Sawyer, Philadelphia Fire Department
Mr. Richard D. Flinn, Jr., Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
The Honorable George P. Hartwick, III, Commissioner, Dauphin County Board of Commissioners
Source: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
