The purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the role of first responders in catastrophic disaster planning. The hearing highlighted the critical relationships between federal, state, and local emergency response officials and assessed the value of coordinated planning, training, and exercising. The hearing also examined any observations and lessons learned from recent national exercises and how they might be incorporated into future planning efforts.
**Note: The hearing began at 2:30 PM Alaska Time, 6:30 PM Eastern Time**
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Director, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Chair, Rural Committee
National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians
U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC, 20510
(202) 224-2627