WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and Mark L. Pryor (D-AR) will hold a joint hearing entitled, From Earthquakes to Terrorist Attacks: Is the National Capital Region Prepared for the Next Disaster?
The National Capital Region presents unique challenges to emergency management due to the large Federal presence and the involvement of numerous jurisdictions in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Recent events, including the East Coast earthquake in August and the snowstorm on January 26, 2011, revealed weaknesses in the National Capital Region’s response to unexpected or rapidly evolving regional incidents. This hearing will examine the National Capital Region’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities. As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks and the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, this hearing will also address regional coordination and information sharing challenges that are applicable to cities and states across the country.
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia and Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery and Intergovernmental Affairs
From Earthquakes to Terrorist Attacks: Is the National Capital Region Prepared for the Next Disaster?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at 2:30 p.m., 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building
WITNESSES:
Mr. Steward D. Beckham, Director, Office of National Capital Region Coordination, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Dean S. Hunter, Deputy Director, Facilities, Security, and Contracting, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Mr. Bill Jenkins, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Mr. Richard Muth, Director, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, State of Maryland
Ms. Terrie Suit, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, Commonwealth of Virginia
Mr. Paul Quander, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, District of Columbia