Chairman Bilirakis on the hearing:

“The Subcommittee is continuing its review of homeland security grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and this hearing will provide Subcommittee Members with valuable input from stakeholders who receive and rely on this funding to enhance their security operations.  In particular, this hearing will provide insight into the concerns expressed by stakeholders about the proposal in the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget request to consolidate grant programs into a new National Preparedness Grant Program.” (more…)

From the FEMA blog by Craig Fugate, Administrator

Today marks the beginning of the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week, we’re partnering with NOAA to provide information to the public about the hazards of severe weather and steps people can take to ensure they’re prepared.

Every year, thousands of people are impacted by severe weather threats such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Last year was the most active year in disasters in recent history, with more than 1,000 weather related fatalities, more than 8,000 injuries. (more…)

At the American Red Cross headquarters on March 7, 2012, Dell, the American Red Cross, the U.S. State Department, Ushahidi, and O’Reilly Media discussed the role that social media can and should play during natural disasters, emergency management and humanitarian relief efforts. #SMEM

Bold Steps in Preparedness: Training with Anthrax and Ricin The Center for Domestic Preparedness successfully incorporated biological materials into select training courses February 2012. These new materials, Bacillus anthracis delta Sterne and ricin A-chain, provide the first response community a unique opportunity to work in an environment with biological materials—similar to a real world response. (more…)