FEMA Administrator Fugate Addresses Leadership Of National Volunteer Organizations Active In Disaster

FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate. FEMA/Bill Koplitz

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate yesterday addressed the National Voluntary Organisations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) Board of Directors Meeting. The gathering of national nonprofit organisations, that are dedicated to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, took place at the Salvation Army headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

"FEMA's only one part of our nation's emergency response team," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Today's gathering underscores the importance of the various partnerships and diverse organisations that this response team depends upon. National Voluntary Organisations Active in Disaster play a key role in preparedness, response, and recovery, and they should be proud of the vital work they are doing. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we build and strengthen our nation's emergency response team."

"National VOAD is proud to be part of the national team that provides assistance and supports survivors and their communities in disaster response and recovery," said Bill Adams, the National VOAD Board President. "We are pleased to meet with Mr. Fugate to build on this team."

National VOAD includes 49 national member organisations and 55 State and Territory equivalents. Since its founding, state and local equivalents of VOAD have emerged to foster cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration at the state and local level.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.