| USA. Former FEMA director supports state catastrophe management solution |
|
|
|
| Thursday, 22 June 2006 | |
|
Legislative news: James Lee Witt, the former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director and co-chair of ProtectingAmerica.org, visited New Jersey today and voiced strong support for A-3236, a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Panter that would proactively prepare and protect residents in advance of the next catastrophic storm. "Forecasters are predicting that the region is long overdue for a major hurricane. Assemblyman Panter's legislation is essential to protecting America's most densely populated state from the onslaught of a catastrophic hurricane," Witt said. "This bill could prevent a natural catastrophe from turning into a personal tragedy." he added."The catastrophe management solution in this bill will help keep homeowners insurance available and affordable for New Jersey consumers. Equally important, it will also help fund emergency responder efforts, improve preparedness and establish comprehensive mitigation, education and prevention programs. "Taken together, funding these programs will surely help minimize damage, speed recovery and save lives." the former FEMA director said. "My legislation will help increase public education, upgrade buildings and provide a financial backstop in case of a mega-catastrophe. It is critical not only for the families across the state whose homes would be damaged by a major hurricane, but for the state's $21 billion tourism industry, an important source of jobs for people around the state," said Assemblyman Mike Panter, (D-Monmouth/Mercer) and Vice Chair of the Assembly Financial Institutions Committee. "With increased hurricane warnings for New Jersey, it would be irresponsible not to act now." he said. A.M. Best, of Oldwick, N.J., estimates recovery costs of more than $100 billion if a hurricane of similar or greater force to the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 were to make landfall in New Jersey today. That hurricane hovered within 30 miles of New Jersey's shoreline, resulting in 390 deaths and over $100 million in damages. $33 million of those damages occurred on the then sparsely-populated New Jersey shore. "Our organization applauds Assemblyman Panter for taking the necessary first steps to prepare New Jersey for catastrophe. The legislation proposes a comprehensive solution, recognizing the need for financial protections to support homeowners and our economy, and the need to strengthen the emergency responders who are responsible for helping those most in need at the time of a catastrophe," said David Jones, President of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association and a member of ProtectingAmerica.org and its local affiliate, ProtectingNewJersey.org. The New Jersey State Police were given a Resolution from the state of Louisiana as well as from the city of New Orleans commending them on their generosity and dedication with their rescue and recovery missions to those affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. "After witnessing first hand the effects of a natural disaster on an area that is unprepared both physically and financially for a catastrophe, this legislation is critical to begin preparing New Jersey immediately for the aftermath of a disaster within its borders," said Jones. Panter's bill, the New Jersey Consumer Catastrophe Preparedness and Protection Act, would establish the New Jersey Catastrophe Fund which would be financed by private insurance company premium revenue. The bill would also protect consumers against post-catastrophe price gouging and set aside catastrophe fund investment income for improved mitigation efforts and for emergency planning and response by counties and municipalities. "Despite post-9/11 emergency financing, our residents, businesses and first responders are still under funded for a catastrophe. Local officials recognize the hard truth; we simply do not have adequate resources to protect against a major storm. We need to be better prepared, and this bill will help meet that need," said Lucille Chaump, Mayor of Oceanport. ProtectingNewJersey.org is part of the national coalition ProtectingAmerica.org, an organization consisting of emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, insurers and others. At the core of ProtectingAmerica.org's mission is the establishment of a comprehensive, integrated national catastrophe management solution that will better prepare and protect American families, communities, consumers and the American economy from catastrophe. Among its efforts to support this mission, ProtectingAmerica.org is working to increase public awareness and consumer education; advocate for better coordination with local, state and federal mitigation and recovery efforts, and strengthen emergency response and financial mechanisms to rebuild after a major catastrophe |
|
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 June 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|