Gov. Nixon Briefs Top FEMA Official On Missouri's Innovative Disaster Response Partnership With Faith-Based, Community Organizations

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon and a diverse group of faith leaders today met with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate to brief him on Missouri's innovative partnership with local religious and community groups to speed and strengthen disaster response and coordinate preparedness efforts.

FEMA's top official traveled to Missouri to attend a roundtable discussion with Gov. Nixon, faith leaders and emergency management officials to learn more about the Governor's Faith-Based Organization Disaster Initiative, which is designed to deliver more assistance to disaster survivors more quickly through greater collaboration among faith-based organizations, community groups, local emergency managers and Missouri state disaster response agencies.

"Time after time, when disasters have struck, our faith communities have proven why they are one of Missouri's greatest assets," Gov. Nixon said. "Following the January ice storm and the deadly storms in May, I saw faith groups giving their time and money to help their neighbors in need of assistance, without regard to religious affiliation. Today's roundtable represented the very best of that tradition in Missouri -- a diverse group of religious and community groups providing vital assistance, ranging from disaster shelters and mobile kitchens to chain saw crews, portable showers and financial assistance. I have instructed out state disaster response agencies to do everything possible to empower these faith groups and partner with them to provide the best assistance to Missourians whenever disaster strikes."

Missouri is considered a leader among the states in efforts to partner with faith-based groups to coordinate charitable assistance in the wake of disasters. In August and September, Missouri's Office of Homeland Security and State Emergency Management Agency hosted six large conferences across the state for religious and community groups to encourage preparedness and participation in the Governor's Faith-Based Organization Disaster Initiative. Gov. Nixon addressed the conferences held in Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau and Lee's Summit and spoke about the importance of the government partnering with faith-based groups to provide for those affected by disasters.

Also, last month, Gov. Nixon issued an executive order creating the Governor's Faith-Based and Community Service Partnership for Disaster Recovery. The Partnership includes 16 state agencies, two federal agencies and 16 private, religious or charitable organizations tasked with working cooperatively to improve services provided to Missourians in the wake of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

"FEMA's only one part of our nation's emergency response team," FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. "Today's event underscores the importance of the partnerships that this response team is dependent on. While the team is based on our relationships with the Governors we serve, such as Gov. Nixon, our success is built on strong working relationships with the private sector, non-profits, and faith based groups, like those we met with today. As we continue to build these partnerships across the country, Gov. Nixon and his team should be proud of the team that already exists here in Missouri."

The Faith-Based Organization Disaster Initiative is working to increase Missouri's disaster sheltering capacity and to strengthen other areas of emergency response. Participating faith groups are encouraged to choose external ministries in key areas of emergency response:

* disaster volunteer management
* debris removal
* bulk distribution of relief supplies
* survivor case management
* long-term survivor recovery
* multi-agency relief center management

The initiative also teaches:

* Individual and family preparedness, including Missouri's "Ready in 3" Campaign
* Continuity of operations planning for faith organizations in the event of a disaster

"I am delighted that Administrator Fugate traveled here to learn more about Missouri's innovative disaster response partnership and to put some of Missouri's creative ideas to work to benefit our fellow Americans," Gov. Nixon said. "I thank the religious, volunteer and community leaders for their continuing efforts to generously assist their fellow Missourians and for traveling from across the state to attend today's meeting and share their valuable ideas about furthering the government and faith-based partnership."

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