King County working to strengthen U.S. emergency response system
Emergency Director testifies in congress on Katrina Legislation
Eric Holdeman, Director of King County’s Office of Emergency Management, will testify today at a hearing by the United States House Committee on Homeland Security in support of a proposed bill to implement changes in the wake of preparedness failures during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
U.S. Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA) is one of the bill's sponsors. He invited King County to send a representative to testify about the bill because of its national reputation for emergency preparedness: in 2005, King County received an award by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for establishing a "Regional Approach to Homeland Security."
The hearing will take place:
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
311 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Guided by the leadership of King County Executive Ron Sims, Holdeman has worked to facilitate regional coordination in the Northwest between levels of government and emergency management programs in the public and private sectors.
"Disasters don't recognize jurisdictions," said Sims. "If we want to create disaster-resistant communities that can more easily recover from catastrophes, we have to improve coordination between government agencies and create public and private disaster prevention and preparedness partnerships in our area and nationwide."
The bill being discussed Tuesday is known as the Katrina "Lessons Learned" Legislation. Its proposals include improving national disaster response, enhancing the Homeland Security Department’s coordination with State, local and tribal governments, first responders and other stakeholders, and enhancing prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse.
Holdeman is responsible for emergency management and E-911 regional support to all areas of King County and for facilitating regional coordination between levels of government and emergency management programs in the public and private sectors.
He has been designated the Homeland Security Coordinator for the King County Executive.