Norton Hearing to Focus on How Preventing Disasters Saves Money and Lives (4/29/08)

Norton Hearing to Focus on How Preventing Disasters

Saves Money and Lives

April 29, 2008

Washington, D.C. î º Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, will hold a hearing entitled, "Saving Lives and Money through the Pre-disaster Mitigation Program," to address the effectiveness and efficiency of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) pre-disaster program, Wednesday, April 30th at 9:00 AM, in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will examine reauthorization of the mitigation program, which gives technical and financial assistance to states and local governments to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property that would otherwise be caused by natural hazards. "Federal spending following a major disaster must occur and often involves massive investment. Pre-disaster mitigation saves three dollars for every one dollar investment, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It's time the federal government got smart about when investment should occur." . The hearing will examine reauthorization of the mitigation program, which gives technical and financial assistance to states and local governments to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property that would otherwise be caused by natural hazards. "Federal spending following a major disaster must occur and often involves massive investment. Pre-disaster mitigation saves three dollars for every one dollar investment, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It's time the federal government got smart about when investment should occur."

Witnesses expected to testify before the Subcommittee include: the Honorable R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency; James Muller, Chairman of the Mitigation Committee for the National Emergency Management Association; Robert C. Bohlman, Director for the York County Emergency Management Agency and Brent Woodworth, Chairman of the Multihazard Mitigation Council for the National Institute of Building Sciences.

Norton's subcommittee has primary jurisdiction over FEMA operations and all programs related to natural disasters.