Tuesday, January 31, 2006                                    

National Coalition Applauds Gov. Bredesen
Says Tennessee Governor’s Commitment to Preparedness will
Help Ensure Safety and Security of all Tennesseans

ProtectingAmerica.org, a nationwide coalition of first responders, emergency management experts, building officials, insurance industry leaders and others, today applauded Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen’s plans to include $4 million in his upcoming state budget to enhance emergency preparedness in the Volunteer State.

'Preparedness is the absolute key to determining how well a state will fare in the case of a catastrophe and Gov. Bredesen’s commitment to improve preparedness will go a long way to ensuring the safety and security of all Tennesseans,' said David A. Smith, a director of ProtectingAmerica.Org.  

'The events of September 11, 2001 and the unprecedented hurricane damage and destruction of 2004 and 2005, highlight the national need to update all of our catastrophe response mechanisms.  The potential for a repeat of earthquakes like the New Madrid series that rocked Tennessee in the 1800s, amplifies that need,' Smith said.

'Gov. Bredesen’s decision to improve the state’s communications system is essential for reducing response time and coordinating response efforts in the midst of a catastrophe,' he said. 

'It is equally important to improve our building codes and homeowner education programs to mitigate the destruction caused by natural or manmade disasters.  There is a critical need to improve our financial systems to assure that residents can recover in the aftermath of true catastrophe,' Smith noted.

ProtectingAmerica.org is co-chaired by former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt and former Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security Admiral James Loy.  The organization is urging action on the state and national levels to establish privately funded catastrophe funds as a backstop to the private insurance market and to fund other programs to better prepare and protect Americans from potential catastrophes.

In addition to its education and public awareness programs, the organization is supporting H.R. 4366 comprehensive federal legislation that protects homes and property at a lower cost, improves preparedness, strengthens first responders, mitigates the impact of a catastrophe on our economy and reduces the financial burden on consumers and taxpayers.

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