Senator Hassan Statement on Support for FEMA Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Nominee

Statement

Today, as a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Maggie Hassan voted to confirm Daniel Kaniewski to be Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"As we continue to keep all of those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in our thoughts, it is critical that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has adequate resources to ensure that those impacted have the support they need," Senator Hassan said. "The position of Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness -- which oversees the National Preparedness Directorate that is responsible for the resources Americans impacted by such natural disasters need to recover - is critical to those efforts and to reducing the impact of future natural disasters on our people and infrastructure. Given Mr. Kaniewski's experience in emergency management and commitment to pre-disaster mitigation, I support his confirmation to serve as Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness."

During his hearing before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Hassan asked Mr. Kaniewski about the need for more federal investment in pre-disaster mitigation and highlighted initiatives that she helped launch as Governor to manage disaster risks in New Hampshire. Mr. Kaniewski offered his "congratulations on making, it sounds like, a concerted effort on risk assessment for flood and coming up with mitigation plans. Your community should be applauded for that." Mr. Kaniewski added "I'm a huge advocate of mitigation. I believe that we as a government need to do a better job of assessing risks and quantifying those risks and having those inform mitigation programs and risk transfer programs."

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