FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson at the National Community Emergency Response Team conference today in Galveston, wrapping up a two-day trip to Texas.
The conference brings together volunteer emergency managers engaged in community emergency response across the country.
Criswell delivered the keynote address and recognized the CERT volunteers for their impact to their communities. CERT members are often the first to assist their community after a disaster and continue to support after the state, federal and voluntary agency response.
“You bring together the partners, you steer the ship through the first few hours of a disaster,” said Criswell. “You staff the shelters and find the food, so no one goes hungry. You are the first ones in and the last ones out. You stay to finish the job during the many, many months of recovery.”
These emergency managers often remove impediments to response and recovery efforts following a disaster.
Prior to the CERT conference, the Administrator met with faith-based leaders from the Houston area and staff from the Texas Division of Emergency Management as part of a roundtable to discuss lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey and how to better coordinate for future events.
Administrator Criswell also visited with members of the Harris County Flood Control District and local officials. During the meeting, officials demonstrated their flood forecast dashboard which was improved using FEMA hazard mitigation grant funding after Hurricane Harvey. The system measures rainfall amounts and monitors water levels in bayous and major streams, providing real-time information to the community.
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