For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate briefed President Obama today on DHS preparedness efforts and the seasonal forecast for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins Monday.
“Administrator Fugate and I met with the President to discuss the Department’s efforts to prepare our communities for the approaching hurricane season,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We discussed FEMA’s progress on prepositioned assets, evacuation plans and emergency communications—and our Department-wide efforts to revitalize relationships with state and local partners as we ready the nation for disasters of all kinds. I look forward to updating the President as DHS continues to work towards preparedness on all fronts.”
“With the 2009 hurricane season beginning Monday, FEMA has worked to make the American people as prepared as possible,” said Administrator Fugate. “Preparing before a hurricane strikes lays the groundwork for a successful response and recovery, and we urge every American living in a hurricane-prone area to take the steps necessary to keep their families safe. Today’s briefing allowed President Obama to hear firsthand our plans and preparations to support state and local governments during hurricane season.”
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