WASHINGTON -- During the first week of hurricane season, United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today chaired a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Disaster Recovery Subcommittee hearing on the status of the nation's emergency preparedness. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate testified at the hearing, his first since his Senate confirmation.

"When we on the Gulf Coast talk about the threat of hurricanes, it is real, it is frightening, and it is important for this committee, and all committees of the Congress, to continue focusing on the danger that these storms pose," Sen. Landrieu said. "It is important for us to understand our capacity to deal with these real, ongoing and ever-strengthening threats, and that is what this committee has focused on since the wakeup call of Katrina and Rita."

"I appreciate the work of the Chairman of this subcommittee," said Disaster Recovery Subcommittee Ranking Member Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. "I have never met anybody in this entire Congress who is as dedicated to a cause as you are to this subcommittee."

Administrator Craig Fugate testified on the agency's improved capacity since the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, and emphasized that FEMA, state and local officials, volunteer organizations, and citizens must work together to protect the nation from disasters and move speedily toward recovery. Administrator Fugate outlined his priorities for the agency before the committee.

"My first and my greatest priority is to increase the responsibility and participation of our citizens to prepare for disaster," Fugate said. "I truly believe that far too many of us who do not get ready and do not prepare oftentimes put our most vulnerable citizens in jeopardy as we compete for needed resources.

"In our response to the immediate need to a state and a governor, we need to be focused on the outcome we are trying to achieve and not necessarily look at process. I am challenging the team as we have been participating in hurricane exercises to not merely define our response by our capabilities, but to define the response by what is needed to support an impacted state and local government."

His third goal, Fugate said, is to focus on achieving long-term recovery with the measurable goal of reestablishing the tax base of a devastated community within five years of a catastrophic event.

"What you just outlined is music to my ears," Sen. Landrieu said. "The people that I represent will be very grateful to hear such a clear and passionate vision for what is needed and what has truly been lacking."

Sen. Landrieu also questioned the witnesses on the role of the National Guard in a disaster. She also pointed out that the $5 million cap on Community Disaster Loans must be adjusted so these funds will more adequately meet the needs of metropolitan cities following a catastrophe. And she asked Administrator Fugate about the post-storm debris removal process, which held up Katrina and Rita recovery.

Mr. Armond Mascelli of the American Red Cross testified on the organization's national shelter system and its fiscal health. Major General Frank Grass spoke about the ability of the Department of Defense to reopen ports for maritime commerce following a major disaster, which is critical to the nation's economy.

Sen. Landrieu questioned Mr. George Foresman about the role of the private sector in a major disaster. She discussed with Janet Durden of the Louisiana United Way the Landrieu-Graham legislation to fund a nationwide information referral service that would be used during disasters.

Sen. Landrieu pressed Administrator Fugate on rebuilding in V-Zones -- areas at high risk of flooding. Louisiana has 34 V-Zone projects worth a total of $33 million in Cameron, Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Tammany parishes. Prior to this week, the federal government will not fund new construction in a V-Zone.

A policy change announced earlier this week will allow six of these 34 projects to receive a combined $366,000 in funding. A second policy change deems projects less than 90 percent damaged eligible for repair. Previously, only projects that were less than 50 percent damaged were eligible for repair, and projects with more damage were categorized as "new construction," and were not eligible for FEMA funding.

According to data released today, this week's announcements on V-Zones will allow a total of 20 projects to move forward in V-Zones, clearing about $20 million in rebuilding funds. This includes about $7.97 million for Grand Isle projects, $655,000 for Cameron Parish, and $10.68 million for Lakefront Airport.

"I am happy that FEMA released about 60 percent of about $33 million that was tied up in V-Zones, which affects the construction of fire stations and police stations along the coast of Louisiana," Sen. Landrieu said. "But all coastal communities, from Florida, to Mississippi to Texas are going to be affected by it."

Fugate explained that the current policy is intended to direct new growth away from hazardous areas that are vulnerable to flooding. He also said it is not a viable solution to simply relocate complete communities.

"Should we not be looking at engineering a solution that keeps the public safe, reduces the future damages, does not commit to new growth in these areas, but allows these historic communities to rebuild as they were — but better so that they are not damaged?"

"The significance of this issue, right now, is we have communities that have been in place for hundreds of years," Sen. Landrieu said. "These are vibrant communities that have been designated as V-Zones. The current law says you can repair your home, but FEMA will not repair the fire station, police station or library. The question then becomes how viable can a community remain without a fire station, police station and a library?"

In addition to Administrator Fugate, Sen. Landrieu heard testimony from Major General Frank Grass, Director of Operations, United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM); Mr. George Foresman, Advisory Board Member, Corporate Crisis Response Officers Association and former Undersecretary for Preparedness and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mr. Armond Mascelli, Vice President of Disaster Operations, American Red Cross; and Ms. Janet Durden, United Way of Northeast Louisiana.