October 14, 2004  (Ottawa, Canada) -- U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan highlighted continuing progress on the implementation of the Smart Border Action Plan, including an agreement to engage stakeholders in a discussion on the pre-screening of commercial traffic.

“By screening travelers, shipments and conveyances prior to their reaching the border through a bridge or tunnel, we will increase security and decrease congestion,” said Secretary Ridge. “The discussions we initiated today about pre-clearing people and cargo will ultimately result in better protection for our shared border.”

Deputy Prime Minister McLellan and Secretary Ridge also announced that Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Department of Homeland Security are enhancing cooperation in the areas of national emergency response and the protection of shared critical infrastructure.

October 6, 2004 - This week FEMA took the one millionth registration for disaster assistance from individuals seeking aid for hurricane disasters this year. Since Hurricane Charley made landfall in Florida on August 13, hurricanes and tropical storms have been responsible for 21 disaster declarations covering 13 states and Puerto Rico. Thousands of FEMA employees, along with those from other agencies and volunteers, have been working in affected states.  Total aid has already passed the $1 billion mark.

FEMA is staffing their toll-free assistance lines 24-hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Individuals can also find valuable recovery information on the agency's website at http://www.fema.gov.

September 23, 2004 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Advertising Council and a variety of business organizations, launched Ready Business.  This extension of Homeland Security's successful Ready campaign, which has helped millions of individuals and families prepare for emergencies, focuses on business preparedness.  Ready Business will help owners and managers of small to medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency.

Ready Business is designed to make emergency planning easier by assisting businesses in creating an emergency preparedness plan in order to address one of the key findings of the 9-11 Commission report; the need for the private sector to prepare for potential disasters.