FEMA Challenge Seeks Innovative Preparedness Ideas
Administrator Craig Fugate announced it Oct. 28 at a San Diego conference. The idea chosen by FEMA leaders from entries submitted before Jan. 3 will be highlighted on www.fema.gov.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced a new public challenge Oct. 28 that asks Americans to offer creative ideas for preparing communities for disasters. Today, such a scenario seemed even more real when President Obama said explosives found on cargo jets overseas had been planted by terrorists and intended for the United States.
Fugate told his audience at the 2010 TEDMED Conference in San Diego that responding to disasters takes an entire team, not just the U.S. government, and planning for an entire community must be done before a disaster hits. "As individuals, we are always thinking about staying healthy and protecting our bodies from disease, whether through vaccinations, doctor appointments, physical activity or other ways. Shouldn't we be thinking about protecting our communities in the same way?" he said. "We are always encouraging individuals to visit www.Ready.gov and take the steps to be more prepared before disaster strikes, but I'm here to ask for your help and to recruit you for your ideas on how we can better prepare communities, entire communities, for disasters."
All members of the public are invited to submit ideas before 11:59 p.m. EST Jan. 2, when FEMA leadership will begin the judging. The winning idea chosen by FEMA leaders will be highlighted on www.fema.gov.
To submit an idea, you must register on the site, which involves giving personal information to ChallengePost. FEMA urges potential submitters to read the privacy policies on challenge.gov and challenge.com carefully and says it won't collect any personal information in the registration process.