Chief of Staff Roundtable: 

Being Prepared when Natural Disasters Hit Your District

May 18, 2011

Presentation by Dan Mathews

Before Disaster Strikes

Learn the Emergency Management Basics• Bottom up system: Governor is in charge• Feds are the responder and payer of last resort

Meet the Key Players• Local emergency managers and Red Cross• State emergency manager and Adjutant General• Governor’s disaster staff• FEMA representative

During a Disaster

Be Visible• Briefings and Tours• Declaration Process

Opportunity to Build Key Relationships

Help, But Do No Harm

Disaster Recovery

Meet New Players• Faith based groups and NGO’s• FEMA Regional Administrator + Recovery Lead

Keep Pressure on FEMA• Site visits at least 6 months after disaster• Mitigation funding

To Do List Meet Key Players and Get Contact Info Get Emergency Management 101 Briefs Ask For Help:

• Dan Mathews, Staff Director• Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,

and Emergency Management• 202-225-3014• dan.mathews@mail.house.gov