ProtectingAmerica.org Announces Formation of National CoalitionUnveils Survey Finding that Half of Americans Feel Vulnerable and 70% Feel Unprotected from Catastrophe (Washington, D.C.) – Former FEMA director James Lee Witt and former Department of Homeland Security deputy secretary Admiral James M. Loy (USCG Ret.) announced the formation of a national coalition to help American families be better prepared and protected from the ravages of natural catastrophes and their economic consequences. (see a photo slideshow of the event) The coalition, ProtectingAmerica.org, an organization of emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, insurers and others, also released the findings of a national survey that found that nearly half of all Americans feel personally vulnerable to a major natural catastrophe. The survey also found that 70 percent of respondents say the country is still not prepared to deal with catastrophe and that they support Congressional action to reduce the financial and economic consequences of catastrophe. 
ProtectingAmerica.org co-chair James Lee Witt announcing the formation of a national coalition to better prepare and protect America
At the core of ProtectingAmerica.org’s mission is the establishment of a comprehensive, national catastrophe management solution that will increase public awareness through improved education; allow for better coordination with state, federal and local mitigation and recovery efforts; strengthen emergency response and improve financial mechanisms to rebuild after a major catastrophe. The organization supports permanent changes that will lead to continuous improvements in the way we prepare for and recover from catastrophe. 
Admiral James M. Loy, ProtectingAmerica.org Co-Chair, announcing the formation of the national coalition
Legislation (H.R. 4366) that would establish a privately funded national catastrophe fund that would serve as a backup to state catastrophe funds has been introduced in the Congress by a bipartisan team of representatives from Florida, New York and Michigan. The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), attended the announcement press conference. The coalition’s survey found that by a margin of 76-to-12, respondents support the concept of a privately funded national catastrophe fund and catastrophe management solution modeled after the program included in H.R. 4366. Joining Witt, Loy and Rep. Brown-Waite were several members of the coalition including
representatives of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, Operation HOPE, and others. - Watch video of speakers at the event by clicking on the links below: - See a photo slideshow of the ProtectingAmerica.org announcement in Washington, DC. - Read the findings of the national survey which found that nearly half of all Americans feel personally vulnerable to a major natural catastrophe - Read the full press release announcing the ProtectingAmerica.org coalition. 
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) speaks with emergency response officials from Prince William County, Virginia at the ProtectingAmerica.org coalition announcement event in Washington, DC
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. | 
