At Congressional Hearing, National Association of Counties Calls for Rapid Implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act

WASHINGTON – On behalf of the National Association of Counties (NACo), Sonoma County, Calif. Supervisor James Gore today testified before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management in a hearing titled “Disaster Preparedness: DRRA Implementation and FEMA Readiness.”

Gore highlighted the role of America’s counties in preventing and responding to disasters. The DRRA, he testified, is essential in decreasing the likelihood that disasters will have a major impact on residents of America’s counties.

Gore called on Congress to rapidly implement DRRA so that counties have a reliable federal partner in times of disaster.

“I have seen firsthand the impact of natural disaster in Sonoma County,” said Gore. “County leaders were the first to respond and we needed the backing of a reliable federal partner during those critical times. With the implementation of DRRA, counties dealing with disaster recovery will be better prepared to minimize the impacts on our residents.”

NACo has long advocated for improving federal and local partnerships to strengthen disaster resiliency. Preparedness, mitigation and recovery grants are critical for counties to build robust emergency management capabilities. DRRA was passed to improve the resiliency of our nation, which NACo strongly supported, counties need these reforms to be implemented now. Over the last two years, nearly one-third of counties have experiences at least one major disaster.  

Watch the full hearing here.

Read Gore’s written remarks here.

Read NACo Legislative Analysis: Impacts of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 here.

Read NACo’s 2019 federal policy priorities here.