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Representative Dale Strong, R-Ala., chaired his inaugural congressional hearing Tuesday as the leader of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. The session, titled “Future of FEMA: Perspectives from the Emergency Management Community,” was convened to assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current responsibilities, financial management, and collaboration with state and local entities in disaster response scenarios.
“In the interest of ensuring our homeland is resilient and prepared for all types of disasters, it is fitting that this Subcommittee’s first hearing is on FEMA—the nation’s primary disaster relief agency,” Chairman Strong remarked. He highlighted FEMA’s pivotal role in overseeing national preparedness grants, coordinating relief efforts, and facilitating the nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Drawing from over four decades of experience as a first responder, including roles as an EMT and volunteer firefighter, Strong emphasized his dedication to supporting first responders and emergency managers nationwide. “Recent events have overwhelmed our states and localities and challenged their ability to mobilize and help their communities,” he noted. “Our states and localities deserve all the help they can get in protecting people’s lives and property against deadly disasters.”
The hearing featured testimonies from four witnesses, among them Jeff Smitherman, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Discussions centered on evaluating FEMA’s effectiveness and exploring avenues for improvement in disaster preparedness and response.
