FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with a delegation of Israeli mayors in Brooklyn, New York, Thursday to discuss the importance of local emergency management capacity and the role of elected officials in supporting an effective disaster response and recovery, especially immediately following an event.
This meeting was in support of the December 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and Israel’s National Emergency Management Authority. The first-of-its-kind Israeli Executive Education delegation followed Administrator Criswell’s meeting with European crisis managers earlier this year, further underscoring the importance of partnerships with the international disaster community.
“Disasters are universal and are best managed when we come together, both here at home and abroad. We deeply value our partnership with Israel and our other international partners, as we collectively work to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience across our nations,” said Administrator Criswell. “By broadening our knowledge of mitigation and preparedness techniques, we are better poised to give our respective communities the help they need and deserve. We are face-to-face with a global, growing threat landscape, and we can only meet the challenges before us, together.”
The Israeli delegation visit is part of an ongoing bilateral relationship agreement between the United States and Israel. In May, FEMA leadership traveled Israel to and observed their National Level Exercise. The U.S.-Israel emergency management partnership enhances each nation’s response capabilities at all levels of government.
Earlier this week, the Israeli delegation had a similar opportunity, touring FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C. The six visiting Israeli mayors also went to FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they participated in tabletop disaster exercises. The delegation concluded its trip in New York City, meeting with the New York City’s Office of Emergency Management.
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