Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Congressman John L. Mica Ranking Republican
Washington D.C. A program to help save lives and limit potential damages in communities before natural disasters strike would be reauthorized under a bill considered by the U.S. House of Representatives today.
H.R. 1746 the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2009 is a three-year reauthorization of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program provides for proactive cost-effective steps to help state and local governments prepare for disasters and reduce impacts on peoples lives and property. The bill which authorizes $250 million each year for fiscal years 2009-2011 is expected to pass the House later today.
Mitigation saves lives helps communities better weather the effects of natural disasters and reduces post-disaster costs" said U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) the Economic Development Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member a cosponsor of the legislation. This program saves taxpayers money: each dollar spent on mitigation saves over three dollars in future disaster assistance."
Ensuring the continuation of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program and supporting mitigation efforts is critically important as our communities prepare for disasters" said U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who spoke in support of the bill on the House floor. For example pre-disaster mitigation helped a grocery store in a devastated Galveston Texas reopen shortly after Hurricane Ike tore through the island in 2008 making it one of the few places where survivors could find food and supplies at a critical time."
Installing shatter-resistant windows seismic strengthening of shelters and other buildings and acquiring or relocating flood-prone homes are examples of mitigation activities undertaken through this program to help prevent disaster-related injuries and deaths and reduce post-disaster costs. Storm shutters installed in five Broward County Florida fire stations for example helped the buildings withstand Hurricane Wilma and allowed those stations to function in the critical days immediately following the storm.
With a new hurricane season approaching Rep. Diaz-Balart and the Economic Development Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee will be in Miami Florida on Friday May 1 2009 to conduct a hearing entitled FEMA: Preparedness for the 2009 Hurricane Season." Hearing details:
May 1 2009
10:00 a.m.
James L. King Federal Justice Building
99 Northeast 4th Street
Miami Florida 33132
For more information on Fridays hearing contact Justin Harclerode at (202) 226-8767.
