U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology, and sponsor of H.R. 5351, the "National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006," applauded his colleagues for unanimously passing the legislation out of committee.  The bipartisan bill reforms existing emergency management practices by improving disaster response, enhancing DHS' coordination with state, local and tribal governments, and preventing fraud and waste.

"I commend the Committee for working in a bipartisan manner to quickly pass this critical legislation," stated Pascrell.  "Strengthening FEMA within DHS is the most efficient way to improve our national disaster response.  My legislation would also bring a higher standard of leadership to the agency.  For example, it would mandate that America's emergency management leader have relevant experience and direct access to the President."

The legislation would:

Preserve and Strengthen FEMA's role within DHS

• Establish FEMA as a new Directorate of Emergency Management, consolidating DHS' Directorate of Preparedness within FEMA, to increase coordination between FEMA and local first responders;
  
• Elevate the head of FEMA to an Under Secretary position, who will serve as the President's principal advisor on emergency management and report directly to the President in times of national emergency and crises;
  
• Require that the Under Secretary possess a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management;
  
• Ensure that the Secretary of DHS provide FEMA with the resources and staffing necessary to fulfill its mission, and require the Secretary receive Congressional consent before reprogramming any funds designated for FEMA.

Improve Coordination, Communication, and Response at the federal, state, and local levels

• Establish two Deputy Under Secretary positions - one for Emergency Preparedness and Mitigation and one for Emergency Response and Recovery - both of whom will be well-qualified and report directly to the Under Secretary, to increase coordination between FEMA and local first responders;
  
• Establish DHS Regional Offices and Regional Directors to work in partnership with state and local governments, and emergency response and support providers, to ensure coordination and integration of regional preparedness and response activities;
  
• Allow FEMA to have teams on site faster through the Regional Offices;
  
• Grant the Regional Director, in a time of crisis, the ability to coordinate and direct the federal response within the operational area, and make operational decisions without having to obtain approval from headquarters.

"The first responders who secure our communities support FEMA's continued and strengthened role within DHS.  I urge my colleagues in Congress to do the same before America is caught unprepared for another emergency incident."

Creating a strengthened role for FEMA within DHS is supported by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the International Association of Firefighters (IFF), and the American Ambulance Association. 

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