ProtectingAmerica.org California Affiliate - ProtectingCalifornia.org - Is Formed

ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair James Lee Witt Also Introduces
Former Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Admiral James Loy
As the National Organization’s New Co-Chair

James Lee Witt, former FEMA Director and Co-Chair of ProtectingAmerica.org, and Admiral James M. Loy, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, recently visited Los Angeles and San Francisco to announce the formation of ProtectingCalifornia.org, an affiliate of ProtectingAmerica.org. Both groups have been organized to support efforts to better prepare and protect Americans for the consequences of a catastrophic earthquake, storm or other event. [Read the prepared remarks from James Lee Witt and Admiral James M. Loy, see a photo slideshow of the events, and listen to the speeches from the Los Angeles event.]

	ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair Admiral James Loy discussed the formation of ProtectingCalifornia.org on CNN's 'American Morning.' Read the CNN transcript.

Mr. Witt also announced that Admiral James M. Loy has accepted the position as the national Co-Chair of ProtectingAmerica.org.

ProtectingCalifornia.org will be working to improve financial systems for recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of a major catastrophe. The group will also support efforts to improve building codes, augment homeowner education programs and strengthen first responders by enhancing existing emergency response protocols.

	ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair James Lee Witt introducing ProtectingCalifornia.org at the historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

The San Francisco announcement by  Witt and Loy was held at the historic Palace Hotel, which was rebuilt following the devastation of the 1906 earthquake. If an earthquake of the same magnitude as the 1906 earthquake were to hit San Francisco today, it would cause estimated economic damages of $400 billion.

Witt and Loy were joined in Los Angeles by California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi, who recently organized a national summit where top insurance regulators called for a privately-funded national catastrophe insurance program as a financial backstop to bolster homeowner and consumer protection. The Los Angeles Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Company 88 hosted the Los Angeles event.

The ProtectingCalifornia.org coalition currently consists of first responders, emergency management professionals, building code experts and others.

	ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair Admiral James Loy discussed the need to better prepare California for and protect from castrophe. Behind him are, from left, California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamedi, ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair James Lee Witt, and Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Tony Varela, along with members of Los Angeles Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Co. 88.

Read the full press release announcing the ProtectingCalifornia.org coalition.

Listen to speeches from the ProtectingCalifornia.org announcement in Los Angeles.

See a photo slideshow of the ProtectingCalifornia.org announcement in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Learn more details regarding a comprehensive, integrated solution to prepare and protect America from catastrophe, including strengthening first responders, preventing and mitigating problems through stronger building codes and consumer education, and advocating for a financial backstop.

America can do a better job preparing for and protecting from catastrophe.