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On Wednesday, March 4th, President Barack Obama announced that he will nominate Craig Fugate to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. Fugate currently serves as the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He is expected to join Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for an event in New Orleans tomorrow.
A former firefighter and paramedic, Mr. Fugate has held his current position since 2001. He was appointed by then-Governor Jeb Bush and reappointed to the position in 2006 by current Governor Charlie Christ. Fugate succeeds fellow Floridian Chief R. David Paulison, who was appointed by former President Bush to head the agency following Hurricane Katrina.
"We are pleased that the Obama Administration has looked to an individual with a strong background in the fire and emergency services to head FEMA," said Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI). "We look forward to working with Mr. Fugate and his staff at FEMA to ensure that America's first responders are prepared to respond to all hazards."
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will conduct the confirmation hearings. No date has been set for the hearings. The full Senate will then vote on his confirmation. CFSI will provide information on the confirmation process as it becomes available.
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