Norton March 23 Hearing to Examine Region- FEMA Snow Disaster Partnerships (3/10/2010)

Norton March 23 Hearing to Examine Region-FEMA Snow Disaster Partnerships and Effect of Disasters on Federal Operations

March 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC- The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that a hearing entitled "Snow Disasters for Local, State and Federal Governments in the National Capital Region: Response and Recovery Partnerships with FEMA," will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2 p.m., in room 2167, Rayburn House Office Building. Norton, who chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, with jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said, "I have had oversight over declarations of disasters around the country, but never one close to home. Nor is FEMA accustomed to snow emergencies that cripple big cities, much less the federal government itself. The shutdown of the federal government put a new wrinkle in disaster response and preparation, and in turn, has put a new focus on state and local governments, as well as Metro, here during an emergency. At this hearing, we intend to ensure that FEMA and this region, which have been virtual strangers, become partners." Norton said the federal government and the National Capital Region must work smoothly as partners with FEMA, not only for the safety of constituents, but also because the federal presence here is central to the region's economy and to the security of the United States.

Although the President has declared a disaster for the December snow storm, no declaration has, as yet, been made for the second, and more severe, snow storms in February. However, Norton said that she believes that most of the affected jurisdictions have met Stafford Act snow-assistance and severe winter storm requirements for both storms because snow assistance policy requires that the jurisdiction experience a record or near-record snowfall.

The subcommittee will look at the action that has been, or could be, taken by FEMA and the affected jurisdictions, and at response and recovery funds for which the jurisdictions may qualify. The Subcommittee also will look at how FEMA and other agencies and jurisdictions in the National Capital Region might be expected to prepare and respond to future disasters, whether another snowstorm, a hurricane, a pandemic, or a terrorist incident. "Particularly considering FEMA's all-hazards jurisdiction," Norton said, "the subcommittee is concerned about how the federal government maintains its operations here and nationwide without jeopardizing the safety of its employees. It is also important to examine this disaster because both the federal government and Metro were shut down during part of the snowstorms, raising special concerns about homeland security."

Invited witnesses for the hearing include FEMA officials with oversight of the disaster program, emergency management officials in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and officials from Metro, the Office of Personnel Management, and the D.C. National Guard, which was involved in the response to the snowstorm.