Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The International Association of Emergency Managers United States Council (IAEM-USA) applauds today?s announcement by President Obama that he will nominate W. Craig Fugate to become the new administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Fugate is currently the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management where he oversees an agency with 138 full time staff. The division coordinates disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state?s 67 counties and local governments. In September 2003, under Fugate?s leadership, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first state emergency management program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. Prior to working at the state level, Fugate had a 15 year career in local government, including positions of volunteer firefighter, paramedic, fire rescue lieutenant, and finally for 10 years as the emergency manager for Alachua County, Fla.
?We are pleased that a seasoned and experienced professional emergency manager has been tapped to lead the nation?s emergency management agency,? stated IAEM-USA President Russ Decker, CEM. ?We believe that this move is a strong and clear statement of the importance that the Administration places on having a fully functional FEMA led by top-notch professionals. IAEM looks forward to working with Fugate and FEMA to provide safety and security to all citizens and communities.?
IAEM-USA, the nation?s largest emergency management professional association, is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 4,500 emergency management and homeland security professionals for local communities, state and federal disaster officials, private sector, non-governmental organizations and others involved in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from all types of disasters including acts of terrorism. IAEM provides: access to the largest network of emergency management experts who can provide advice and assistance; the Certified Emergency Manager® program; annual scholarships; a comprehensive monthly newsletter; and more. The 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibit occurs October 31-November 4 - in Orlando, Fla. at the Rosen Centre Hotel and the Orange County Convention Center. The event features significant suppliers of emergency management and homeland security products and services.