Blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge addressed the nation's state emergency management directors during the annual conference of the National Emergency Management Association. The Secretary joined Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul McHale and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in addressing issues of preparedness and response to natural disasters and terrorism. In a surprise announcement, Secretary Ridge endorsed the National Homeland Security Consortium. Read the full press release.

State and local government emergency managers across the nation benefited as the Senate has passed amendments introduced by Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio) adding a total of $56 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) to S. 2537, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for 2005. This funding will help state and local emergency managers to prepare for, respond to and recover from all hazards, including terrorism. Read the full press release.

Figures released today by the National Emergency Management Association show a massive assistance effort under way for the victims of Hurricane Charley through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).  Over 240 emergency services personnel from 21 states are on the ground in Florida and at the National Emergency Operations Center at FEMA Headquarters to assist with response and recovery efforts.  The deployment for Hurricane Charley represents the most expansive use of states resources in EMACs history. "The cooperation of the states and coordination of these resources is unprecedented" says Dr. Terry Egan of the Washington State Division of Emergency Management.   Read Press Release

In the wake of devastation by Hurricane Charley, the State of Florida is receiving assistance from several states to provide resources to the stricken areas of the state. To date, the State has requested and received support from eight states that are lending personnel, equipment and expertise to the response efforts under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a powerful mutual aid plan that leverages the assets of the nation to respond to a disaster.  Read press release.