Committee. The committee will come to order. I would like to point out we are glad to have two representatives velazquez and plaskett and join us in the questioning as we pursue this hearing. I recognize myself for five minutes for Opening Statement. Im convening todays subcommittee hearing to examine preparations by fema to respond and helping our nation recover from Natural Disasters which will overlap with the nations efforts to fight the pandemic. Fema is responsible for coordinating response and Recovery Efforts for all domestic disasters including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A has struggled to anticipate the severity of multiple disasters due to Climate Change and contracts for supplies and retain and deploy key personnel. As United States continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, in a recent surge of cases across the country, its clear this unprecedented moment has left all of us in unchartered territory. People have called the year 2020 apocalyptic. It does feel like we are not too far off from the truth. More than 140,000 americans have lost their lives due to the current administrations lack of leadership, distrust of science and continued hesitation to meet the challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic. And because of this complete lack of leadership and inept response, tens of thousands more will die. All of this is a horrifying loss of life and wasnt tragic enough. Climate change is changing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Setting that stage to lose american lives as a result of Natural Disasters. Therefore, it is imperative that congress and the america cap public understand the steps that fema is taking to to prepare for and respond to Natural Disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and extreme heat on top of nationwide efforts to stop and slow the spread of the coronavirus. The 2020 Hurricane Season began on june 1. Noaa forecasters expect 1319 named storms including 610 hurricanes and 36 major hurricanes. Residents in states known to be hit hardest like florida and North Carolina are facing some of the highest rates of confirmed cases of covid19. This years predicted higher than average Hurricane Season increases the chances of large evacuations of people to northern states like new york and new jersey, areas previously hit hard by the virus which would cause the potential for increase for the spread in those states. For those who are forced to stay and seek emergency shelters as they do not have the means to evacuate, overcrowded shelters from school gyms to shelters risk to becoming infection hot spots. The lag of covid testing if not ixed will lead to ea symptomatic people staying in the shelters and many of the same people who have less access to health care are more likely o have unknown or uncontrolled comorbidities and complications from covid19. These are prime example of how Climate Change acts as a threat multiplier during Public Health crises. Over the last five years, the. U has seen in 2017 and 2018, california experienced the deadliest wildfires in its history. Risk are re related high in my home state and recent weeks these areas have seen staggering covid19 cases continue to rise. Both smoke and covid19 negatively impacts our respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Ildfires exacerbate lung conditions especially in children and older adults and those with asthma, chronic heart disease. Many of these increase negative Health Outcomes and mortality rates with those infected. While cloth masks can help stop the spread of coronavirus, these kind of face coverings do not offer protection from smoke. Only properly fitting n95 masks filter out dangerous particles and we have seen those in short supply. There is the extreme heat. No other year in recorded history has been as hot as the years between 20142019 and 2020 has the high likelihood of being the hottest year on record and this poses a challenge. When it gets incredibly health, low wealth households who do not have air conditioning may flock to cool and crowded indoor areas which could result in appear increase in coronavirus cases. As we sit here today, every state in the United States is currently facing a budget shortfall. As a result, many states, territories and local governments may be more dependent on fema for supplies and personnel than in recent years. In the middle of the respiratory pandemic, we need to know what steps are being taken to safeguard the lives of fema personnel and disaster survivors and whether or not medical supplies will be accessible for communities in need and how plans are being adapted to account for disasters and we need to be ready, willing and to address likely worst Case Scenarios and help fema so they can be fully prepared to meet their mission. As the saying goes, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. In this moment, our nations challenges are unprecedented and extraordinary and our plans and acks must rise to meet the seriousness and grave reality we face now and in the coming months and years. The topics we are discussing today are matters of life and death. I appreciate fema administrator gaynors participation in this hearing and i hope todays discussion which help the support that fema is tasked. Because the stakes could truly not be higher. To give a mr. Gohmert fiveminute Opening Statement. Im not going to fact check the slanderous opinions that were made about the Trump Administration in the beginning of your Opening Statement because this is an important hearing. Im very glad to participate in person for this hearing. The business of this committee cannot be done virtually and i hope we continue working for the American People. I want to thank the administrator for testifying today. You are an extremely busy man but im interested to learn the good work that fema has been doing in response to covid19. The pandemic has affected 3. 8 million america caps and killed more than 140,000. Through President Trumps leadership, fema has responded swiftly. On march 13, President Trump declared a National Emergency pursuant to section 501b of the stafford act. All states and territories requested emergency declarations. All 50 states and five u. S. Territories and the district of columbia have been approved for major disaster declarations. According to fema, a major declaration provides programs including funds for both Energy Emergency and permanent work. Vice president pence designated fema as the lead agency for federal response to the pandemic on march 19. Fema transitioned into this new role and prioritized to protect the health and safety by whole of government and whole of america approach. After this announcement, fema enacted the nrcc. It became the focal point of interagency coordination efforts. Fema has done a tremendous job. And i want to highlight a few numbers to support that. As of july 17, fema, h. H. S. And e private sector coordinated delivery 189 million n95 respirators, 784 million surgical masks. 33 million face shields. 331 million surgical gowns coveralls and 20 billion gloves. S of july 21, fema delivered 21,981 medical supplies to Nursing Homes in 52 states and territories. With regards to testing, c. D. C. , state and local and Public Health labs have tested more than 48. 6 million samples. While these numbers are impressive i look forward to hear plans for the United States to produce lifesaving equipment for medical workers. Fema has described this as a National Security issue. Federal funding has played a large part in response to this crisis. As of of july 17, fema and h. H. S. Have combined committed 139 billion. In terms of staffing, as of july , fema has 2,245 employees supporting covid19 Pandemic Response out of 20,831 Agency Employees ready to respond to any other potential emergencies. These are staggering numbers and i applaud the work that fema has done in response to covid19. Fema is currently responding to 114 active disasters and 97 emergency declarations concurrently. I look to hear about how fema will prepare for the Natural Disaster season while battling covid19. I look forward to todays testimony. Thank, Ranking Member comer. Its my honor to recognize our witness, peter gaynor who is the administrator at the federal Emergency Management agency. We will swear him him. Please raise your height rand. I do. Let the record show that the witness answered in the affirmative. Without without objection, your witness statement will be made part of the record. You are recognized for your testimony. Good morning, chairman. Im pete gaynor and fema administrator. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the actions taken by fema to protect the health and safety of the American People as well as the agencys ongoing efforts to enhance Disaster Preparedness within a covid19 environment. On behalf of the men and women of fema, i offer my condolences to the 144,000 americans who lost their lives to covid19. One life lost is one life too many many and our hearts go out to those affected by the pandemic. This has been a trying time and fema has been working around the clock to help our nation respond and recover from other fat tral disasters. It has been my honor to work along side dedicated professionals at fema. I want to acknowledge that work force and our partners for their commitment to the nation for their response. The response to covid19 and other Natural Disasters will be executed, state managed and federally supported. The president has made a decision to declare a nationwide emergency and the team has worked tirelessly to make a positive impact. Many have risked their own health and safety to do so. We have a major disaster in every state, and one tribe and five territories and district of columbia. 97 emergencieses across the american heartland. The magnitude of this pandemic reexamine fema to our past practices and reduce staff while accomplishing our mission. Fema manageses events that are limited in Geographic Scope and impact. In response to covid19 and other Natural Disasters, fema has managed finite medical supplies and equipment rather than managing resources, we are managing shortages. And we are moving them to america with the goal of providing temporary relief. In addition tore expediting supplies into the United States, the federal response is stabilizing the lives of americans in many ways. Since march 13, we have provided obligations under the stafford act to states for covid19 related activities. Over 1 billion has been allocated to both california and new york alone. 1. 7 billion has been allocated to National Guard troops and 5,300 d. O. D. Title 10 medical professionals who provided medical support to numerous hospitals. While we continue to respond to covid19, we want to ensure we are using available resources to address these critical shortfalls. The federal government has utilized the defense production act to ensure our nations future preparedness is not overreliant on foreign producers. This increase of domestic manufacturing will allow us to pivot to Hurricane Season preparations and other Natural Disasters. Operating in overlapping disaster environments will create new challenges while evacuating people in the covid19 so that social distancing can be observed wherever possible. Critical supplies like ventilators, p. P. E. And other Key Pharmaceuticals located in the path of hurricanes will have to remain available for use. As part of preparing for other disasters, fema released a planning guide to help local officials best prepare for more common disasters. The operational is scaleable and functional andal has arizona planning document. While this document focuses on Hurricane Season preparedness, these considerations can be applied to any disaster operation in the covid19 environment to include wildfire responses. Further increase femas responses, our agency continues to expand its work force. Since the beginning of this fiscal year, we have on boarded more than 2,300 new disaster personnel which is 22 over f. Y. 2019. They have been onboarded while adhering to pandemic safety protocols. Last year, fema introduced a requirement for states and territories to developed mammingment plans under the Emergency Management grant program. All 56 states and territories have plans that involve commodity distribution, transportation best practices and fema personnel will contract nd distribute goods and to survivors. When in the context of a pandemic, fema will help our partners recover from past events. Fema and its federal partners have provided support for the commonwealth of puerto rico during the ongoing recover of the two hurricanes. Since mid2019, fema has gone from funding 10 and 15 workers per month. Fema has objectly depated more funding for emergency work in puerto rico than in texas and florida combined. Our services have accelerated the awards processes and we have provided 25 billion to the response in puerto rico. Regardless of the challenges that fema will continue to front, we need to protect the American People before, during and after disasters and the framework by which we accomplish this is unchanged. Response is most effected when locally executed and state managed. We are doing so in our core values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect. The response to the pandemic will continue to require a whole of america effort and fema works closely with congress to protect the lives of the American People. I like to tank the committee to testify today. Look forward to answer questions. Without objection, the gentlewoman from state of new york and woman from u. S. Virgin islands will be recognized for questioning the witness. With that, i would like to recognize the vice chair of the subcommittee, congresswoman laib for five minutes of questioning via webex. Thank you for joining us for this difficult time for so many americans. I want to be direct with the administrator. And i feel this compels to tell you, i hear my colleagues talk about the approach and the fact that we have done all this work to try to combat the pandemic. One of the statistics in my state is very alarming and i want to talk about this specifically because we are talking about vulnerable communities. More of my black neighbors die from covid. 40 of those that died from covid in michigan were africanamerican. And even though they make less than 15 of the total population in the whole state of michigan. And i was just curious, what have you all done, how intentional are you to make sure you are covering communities that are black and brown and how ou approach this pandemic . I have been doing this for almost 13 years at the local, state and now federal level. And what i have learned when theres preexisting challenges in a community before a disaster and whether its poverty, homelessness, unemployment, medical care, the disaster that comes next and it can be any disaster makes all those conditions much worse. And we knew that early on in covid19 and we took an aggressive approach with our authorities. Some of the things we have done across the country and one of the thidges that we had not done in a disaster before, i have an office of equal a rights and should a civil rights bulletin that made sure that individuals, communities and groups had opportunity to receive information. We had food programs that states are using, housing and testing programs. Ms. Tlaib i understand. Im glad you are talking about the conditions that existed prior to the pandemic are racist and do not include every Single Person that lives in the United States. I heard in a different committee, but we heard one of the folks come in and say that during katrina, they were very aguess i have about giving food direct cards to get assistance and diapers and formula which was a huge barrier during that time. Even though we want to claim civil rights for everyone and going to have this policy and task force to study that, i dont think that is resulting in taking care of our most vulnerable. Already not having access to health care and pollution and preexisting conditions, all of hose things, homelessness or housing, we need this is a pandemic. Fema should be doing a lot more direct contact with these communities beyond just statements that you dont want them to get hurt more than anyone else. They are and you have acknowledged that there are these other conditions. There are systems that have been broken for a long time and no one has paid attention to them and we are seeing this across the country. Administrator, i want to urge you, as someone who represents not only part of the city of detroit but a lot of communities through wayne county, its not just alone on the flooding that you have been working with me and my community but during this pandemic that you have access to resources. You can waive cost sharing for grants. They are now having to cut city services. You have decided not to do that or push against the 100 reimbursement. When we do that and help local governments, which are touching the lives of communities of color, we are short changing for them. You know this. You have to be doing more. And it has to be beyond just statements and Civil Rights Division and so forth and i appreciate that. People are dying and they are getting sick and because the system has been set up against them. I appreciate this, chairman. And administrator, i hope you hear me. Please help black and brown communities. They are dying at a higher rate and we need you to do more in this country and i yield. I used to live in detroit and i understand some of the challenges locally they have. Cost share, we are looking actively, its under active examination, again unprecedented response to covid19. Never before in the history of the country where we had every single state, territory and tribe without a major disaster. We are looking at cost share and im in conversations with the administration. As to the safer granted reference. We waived and i will get you the bulletin, secretary of Homeland Security waived fiscal year 2019 and 2020, blanket waivers for those grants. We waived cost shares and salary cap and waived supplanting for all those grants to make sure we could retain and rehire firefighters. If your staff is out there to me or my staff, we will be help you to understand what we did for safer grants. The the chair recognizes Ranking Member comer for questioning. Mr. Comer can you describe the early actions taken by fema at the onset of the covid outbreak. Yes, sir. Unprecedented time for the country and for fema. On march 13, the president declared a nationwide disaster which gave everyone a major disaster. Actually prior to that, more than a month, fema had been in support of health and Human Services in their fight against covid. As we transition, as we learn more as the disease progressed and became larger, the president wanted fema to lead coordinating efforts. That was on march 19. On that very night, i moved all h. H. S. , c. D. C. And other members to National ResponseCoordination Center and did that out in the 10 regions that i have across the country. As far west as america ca samoa and as far east as u. S. Virgin islands. Mr. Comer has fema changed its response from the middle of march to today . Yes, sir. This is a dynamic situation. The disease has changed over time. If you remember back to march and april, epicenter was new york, new jersey and connecticut and some new england states, losit, chicago, louisiana angeles. All that happened and then now when you look at how we dealt with covid19, we did it by counties and thats where we focused, not just by state by counties. Sun belt of outbreak. It is heated in most counties. So it is much wider than it is and we have adapted as we have moved through it and will continue to adapt as we understand it more. So we ares where the initial outbreak like new york, where we needed Surge Capacity and p. P. E. And pharmaceuticals and vents, today its today, and ive talked to most governors, its really about staffing. Can you detail the most important strategies discussed in femas Hurricane Season operation guidance . Mr. Gaynor yes, sir. One of the things we knew early on, you know, in march, that Hurricane Season was coming. And we made a deliberate effort to collect lessons learned, partnering with c. D. C. And other medical professionals to reflect best practices. Look at planning and detail and in mid may, may 20, we issued the 2020 operational guidance for the covid19 and Hurricane Season. What we have been encouraging since then is states, tribes, territories, local governments look at their existing plans and apply the less obed learned of covid19 lessoned learned of covid19. Ill give a couple examples. Its a complicated response on a good day for a hurricane. Not including covid19. It will be further complicated by the considerations of covid19, when you think about evacuations, sheltering and needing more space, needing more time. So were asking everyone to lead in. I just came back from a sevenday tour of the gulf coast, louisiana, mississippi and alabama, and checking on how those states were doing. And pretty impressive how much work has been done at the local, state and tribe levels. So i have confidence that mayors across the country, whether its tornadoes, hurricanes, are embracing those best practices. Comb comb these Planning Operations mr. Comer these Planning Operations can be applied to any disaster operation during the covid19 planning . Mr. Gaynor yes, sir. We did a couple of different things. We like to think of ourselves as flexible. So we built a pandemic guide for Hurricane Season. But we also took a deeper dive with an additional guide a couple weeks later with entitled Emergency Assistance pandemic planning considerations. The things that will be probably most problematic in a disaster. So thinking about wildfire evacuations, wildfire disasters, its going to be about mass care. How do you move those people, how do you shelter those people . How do you keep them safe . So you move them out of the threat of a wildfire, but you dont want to put them into a bigger threat of a congregate sheltering operation. So all those considerations, all those frameworks we provide to state and locals so they can update their plans. Mr. Comer keep up the good work. Mr. Chairman, i yield back. Thank you, Ranking Member comer. Its now my privilege to recognize the chair of the full committee, the honorable carolyn maloney, for five minutes of questioning. Mrs. Maloney thank you. I want to thank chairman rouda and Ranking Member for calling this and a very special welcome to my colleague from the great city of new york, ms. Velazquez. I joined her going to puerto rico to review femas work on the island. Ive of course been watching all that youve done in new york. Our shortly after request that you declared new york a disaster zone. Shortly after that the president declared the entire country a disaster zone. But one of the areas where we continue to have challenges is the shortfalls in p. P. E. During the disaster, we couldnt get p. P. E. In new york and our medical professionals were going to work in garbage bags. At one time one hospital had 250 people out sick. Because i would say they didnt have the right effective equipment. I dont want to ever see that happen again. In response, new york started manufacturing our own p. P. E. Because we could not get it. And our supply chain, our Foreign Developers wouldnt send it to us or they didnt have it. We had four manufacturing plants we set up. Theyre now in the process of disbanding them. I personally believe we should never be dependent on other countries for our p. P. E. We should manufacture a certain portion of that here in our country. And i put in a bill that would require that 35 of our be tegic National Stockpile manufactured in america and we give tax breaks and incentives to our manufacturers so we can prepare a certain percentage of p. P. E. Here in our own country, so that people will not die or become sick because they could not have access to it. Id like to send a copy of this proposal to you and your team to look at. And to get back with us with your suggestions of whether or not it should be strengthened or how it should be changed or any other ideas that you have. And id also like to call upon Ranking Member comer to take a serious look at it. I also serve on the subcommittee that is looking at this issue and other things. With jim clyburn who is chairing it. But very telling, both republicans and democrats have called for manufacturing p. P. E. Here in our own country. I think it could be a goal that we should all support. But i do want to get back to a supply chain with a few questions. E of your internal documents showed that the task force was projecting critical shortages of more than 30 million 911 n95 atory and 100 respirators. So the situation is likely much worse. And i think it points to the need that we should have some production here at home. So administrator gaynor, yes or no, does the administration now have updated projections of supply and demand for mask, gowns, gloves and other supplies for the rest of the year . Mr. Gaynor maam, i think if i could just give a more detailed answer. Because theres some context of all these numbers. Mrs. Maloney go right ahead. Mr. Gaynor i thank you wed be happy to look at that proposele and give Technical Assistance and i think youre right on about how critical p. P. E. Is to National Security and making it here is important. So i applaud you for taking that initiative. Mrs. Maloney and its life saving. Absolutely life saving. And to think that our essential workers were going to the front line of this war against the virus, not with the equipment they needed to protect themselves, its outrageous. We should at the very least be able to ensure that our medical professionals, every worker, janitors, administrators, nurse, technicians, have the protective equipment they need. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. And i agree. Its about life saving and minimizing suffering and i think were in a much better place today than we were back in march and april and for context, the majority of p. P. E. s, whether masks, glove, gowns, not made in the u. S. Theres more made in the u. S. Now than there was a couple months ago. N95 mask, were making those today. Companies all have either increased their production or started new production like honeywell. So we get healthier every day. N95 masks are the premium of what everyone wants. We understand that. As we move through increased production, you know, we will close that gap. Just again, just for what how we see supply and demand. We recently pulled one to one to all the state Emergency Management directors about how much p. P. E. They have on hand. And for the most part, every state has 60, 90, 120day stockpile. Which is a really great statistic. Hospitals have done the same. Went out, bought p. P. E. And stockpiled it. And we tracked this day by day. This is the soul job of sole job of one man to fill requests from states when theres a p. P. E. Shortage. Mrs. Maloney unfortunately my time has expired. The request the chairman if i could submit questions to him in writing and that we can continue this conversation Going Forward and yield back. Mr. Rouda thank you, madam chair. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from new york, epresentative velazquez. Ms. Velazquez thank you, mr. Chairman. And Ranking Member, i really appreciate the opportunity to here today to ask the administrator some questions regarding puerto rico. As a puerto rican woman, who has most of my family in puerto rico, i care deeply. And the fact that puerto rico has been facing a financial crisis, hurricane irma, maria, earthquakes, and now the pandemic. Puerto rico has a surge of infections. That is one of the highest, if not the highest in the mainland. Story and p. Has a it said, thousands in puerto rico still without housing since maria. It is great to hear you as a to how much money has been as to how much money has been obligated. But my question is, why is it that thousands of families in puerto rico still do not have a home, especially during this Hurricane Season . Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. So we have first of all, our commitment femas commitment to puerto rico i think is demonstrated by the amount of employees that we have on the ground today. More than 2,000 fema employees. Ms. Velazquez and i recognize that, sir. I really appreciate the great work and the staff of fema. Ive been there three or four times. I am not questioning that. Im questioning the fact that since maria, still there are thousands of families who might be confronting another hurricane and they dont have anyplace to go. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. This has been a partnership from the beginning and i think the partnership with puerto rico, the governor and her staff has never been stronger. Theres no easy, simple answer. It is a partnership between fema, who does temporary work to keep people in their homes, and its a partnership with h. U. D. To do permanent work on houses. Ms. Velazquez excuse me. Reclaiming my time. H. U. D. S a reality that has imposed certain requirements that have not been asked from any other locality in the nation. And so it is very difficult ask for them to be able to repair, to make their repairs on those homes. So lets talk about [indiscernible] where the navy was operating, the u. S. Navy, for so many years. Until finally they left. And left behind an environment of degradation. There was a commitment to clean up it up. And no one can question the fact that there we have the highest rate of cancer compared to any other municipality in puerto rico. So, there might be a correlation between the fact that bombs were exploded there and the health of the people. So, seven weeks, seven months appropriated approved for a hospital that was promised to the people there and this happened after the speaker called a meeting between fema, myself, alexandria ocasiocortez, a young lady, 16 years of age, lost her life because they dont have a hospital. And here we are seven months later. Transportation between the people there to the main island, to get health care services, is impossible. Because its so poor, the infrastructure, and the vessels are not reliable. So given the fact that what we have is lowincome People Living there that are cut off from the main island, with the covid pandemic, what are we saying to the children and the elderly there . Seven months after the money was approved. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. So, early on, fema built a temporary hospital. We actually ms. Velazquez i know, ive been there. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. But 4 million to build a temporary hospital. Well continue to fund that until we begin to fund the permanent hospital which has been funded to almost 40 million. 39. 5 million to fund a new hospital. That process is under way. And we are committed to make sure there is health care for those living there that need it. Ms. Velazquez sir, sir. Fema has been telling me this for so long. Seven months ago, the money was approved. Why is that difficult to break ground there . That we send a message to the people there that their lives matter. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Again, it doesnt happen overnight. So theres design, theres environmental issues, and, again, we do this in partnership with the government. The municipality there. This is not just fema building the hospital. This is the local government building the hospital. Ms. Velazquez but what are you doing to provide capacity and Technical Assistance so that they can get their act together . Mr. Gaynor we are. Through the governor of puerto rico, and the many governors across distribute many mayors across puerto rico, to include the mayor there. Ms. Velazquez i know. I spoke to the mayor last friday. Mr. Gaynor it is a partnership. And to build a 40 million hospital does not happen overnight. But we are committed to make sure that we have Adequate Health care there, as long as it takes. Ms. Velazquez we are the most powerful country in the world. In the world. And were never whenever there have been Natural Disasters in other countries, we move federal assets to make it happen. Make it happen to the people there. Because they serve a purpose in terms of our National Security, by having the Navy Operations there. Fire eserve the power and of the United States. The will. If there is a will, we can do it. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Rouda thank you. And, support the comments from the gentlelady from new york regarding the americans in puerto rico still in desperate need of help. Chair now recognizes myself for five minutes of questioning. Administrator gaynor, theres been a lot of discussion about the pandemic, the challenges facing fema as we enter into the Hurricane Season and the wildfire season. I just want to start off with a simple question. Does fema got this . Do you have americas back as we go into these challenges over the next few months . Mr. Gaynor sir, i hope weve demonstrated over many years that fema is an organization thats committed to the safety of america and the response to those most in need after a disaster. And for context, since weve been responding to covid19, early on, we responded to an earthquake in puerto rico, we responded to flooding in michigan. We responded to tornadoes in southern states. Were ready every day. Theres no doubt that covid19 makes this more complicated. Mr. Rouda but youre confident you got this . Mr. Gaynor sir, this is not just fema responding. This is whole of government response. Mr. Rouda i understand. Mr. Gaynor i have many partners roud row but you guys are the tip of the spear. Im encouraged to hear you say that because thats what america wants to hear. They want to hear that fema is ready to take on these challenges. Let me ask you a few other questions here. I want to focus on the wildfire season. Because it is of particular interest to my home state of california and of course other western states such as oregon and washington who could be facing frequent severe and lifethreatening wildfires. How many wildfires does fema is fema currently prepared to respond to . Mr. Gaynor yes, sir. We issue, im sure youre familiar with Fire Management assistance grants. Weve issued a host of i dont know the number on top of my head. But weve issued a host of those grants and the purpose of those grants is to get Early Intervention when a Fire Outbreak so, it doesnt turn into a major disaster. So we have typically in a year hundreds of fmags intervening early on. Mr. Rouda even with that being said, there has to be some sense that you are prepared for more major wildfires during the season. Do you have an estimate as to what those anticipated numbers might be . Mr. Gaynor i cant give you what the forecast for wildfires are. Im not sure one exists. But we are al an allhazard agency. Were ready for wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, you name it, to include our response in federal coordination, it operational coordination of covid19. I have a tremendous work force that works for me. And i have many great partners. Mr. Rouda i know you do. Great partners and a fabulous work force at feevement i know everyone is fully committed and for that america is grateful. One of the things id like to ask you about is evacuation orders. Im focused on wildfires here because its of particular interest to my home state. Unlike other major disasters along the lines of hurricanes, where we have the ability to plan for evacuations, we dont necessarily have that advanced warnings when it comes to wildfires. So in an effort to prevent the spread of covid19, what type of screening does fema anticipate having in place for evacuees due to wildfires . To make sure that theyre not going into shelters with potentially being asymptomatic or infected . Mr. Gaynor again, some context. The way that a response works the best is when its locally executed, state managed and federally supported. So all of those elements working together. So i was a local Emergency Management for seven years. I was a state Emergency Management for four years and now im the federal administrator. All those things have to work together. Its levels. We dont so, im going to use my time as a local emergency manager. Im responsible for all the hazards and response plans at the local level. Mr. Rouda im just talking testing. I just want to know about testing right now. If you have infected individuals going to shelters, and its femas position that thats a responsibility of the state or local municipality, yet we dont have sufficient testing in place, how is fema going to address the spread of covid19 in shelters if there is not adequate Testing Available . Mr. Gaynor again. Local and states have plans to have screening, testing, or not use non or mr. Rouda so the responsibility in femas mind and the administrations mind is that it does sit with the state and local municipalities to have appropriate testing to ensure that shelters are not being infected . Mr. Gaynor this is an all of america response. Were partners in all that. If theres a short fall in a local government or a shortfall at the state or tribal territory, fema will address that. We provide frameworks and guidance, Technical Assistance, i have 10 regions out there who coordinate plans for those states in each region. We have the federal interagency operation plan that lays out how mr. Rouda let me ask you one more question because we have limited time. 2019, President Trump cut femas budget, which often supports states tasked with fighting wildfires. Does fema have the Financial Resources to support states like california in their efforts to meet the response and recovery challenges associated with the anticipated wildfires of the upcoming year . Mr. Gaynor great question. I want to thank congress for passing supplementals that allowed fema to double its capacity for resource funding. So typically we would start i use Hurricane Season, Hurricane Season year with about 45 billion in the Disaster Relief fund. Due to the efforts by the ministration and congress, Congress Passed another nearly 45 billion in assistance for covid19 response. So today i spent about 8. 5 billion, just fema alone, and i have about 70 billion in the d. R. F. Probably twice as much as i would have in any other season. So we are responding to covid19. Were responding to earthquakes and tornadoes. Were doing recovery at the same time. Were doing tremendous recovery in puerto rico. And were ready to respond to anything thats in front of us. Again, thanks to cornings you have fully funded us to make sure we are ready for whatever disaster comes to us. Mr. Rouda administrator gaynor, thank you so much for coming in. I have to vote so im going to turn the chair over to representative speier. But i do appreciate you taking the time to come in. Your job, i dont think anyone in america enadvice the challenges that are facing you. And were very appreciative of u and your entire teams efforts to keep america safe at this time. The chair will recognize representative plaskett from the United StatesVirgin Islands for five minutes of questioning and i allow representative speier to come up and take over the chair. Thank you. Ms. Plaskett thank you very much to my colleague, mr. Rouda. This has been an excellent hearing thus far. And, mr. Gaynor, thank you so much for coming before congress and forgiving us an update. I know that you all have so much work to do. Its a tremendous task ahead for all of us. I appreciate the covid19 pandemic operational guidance for 2020 Hurricane Season. That fema has prepared. But i wanted to know, i would appreciate further details on your plans for the Virgin Islands, if it were to be struck by another hurricane this year. As youre aware, our hospitals are still damaged and not able to operate in full capacity. Our schools, businesses, hotels are still being prepared. In recent weeks weave also seen exponential growth in covid infections here in the territory, unfortunately. How would fema plan to provide noncongregate settlering after a storm in the Virgin Islands, especially if covid cases continue to grow here in the Virgin Islands . Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Thank you. And thank you for your support. On u. S. V. I. Usvi. We do appreciate it. So, and theres a number of question, ill try to get to all of them. I actually was in the usvi, visited all Three Islands in early january. Met with the governor and the team make sure that we were addressing all the issues that the territory was experiencing, to include at the time was getting schools reopened and through a Great Partnership with the governor and the team, drove that forward. I actually placed one of my most talented federal coordinating officers down this to lead that effort there to lead that effort. Today, in preparedness for Hurricane Season, and looking back at the lessons we learned from 2017, we have commodities on all Three Islands. We have more commodities on continental u. S. We have more commodities on puerto rico than we ever had before. When it comes to covid19, weve been working with, again, with the governor and the team, building Surge Capacity to make sure if a hospital runs out of capacity, that they have Surge Capacity. Make sure they have adequate ventilators. And, again, if theres a need to shelter, we are working with the territory to make sure that they have all the capability that they require. Ms. Plaskett [indiscernible] discussed with you in terms of noncongregate sheltering after the storm . What is the plan . Mr. Gaynor i would have to talk to the f. C. O. And the Virgin Island emergency manager to see what specifics then they have down there. If you allow me, ill follow up and get you a detail of what the territories plan is for that and how were supporting it. Ms. Plaskett thank you. You talked about Surge Capacity. In terms of covid. As you know, everyone is concerned with p. P. E. Funding. The president has stated that this response was preeminently the responsibility of the federal government. In the Virgin Islands weve learned that fema has decided that plexiglas is not eligible for reimbursement under the public assistance program. Why does fema feel that its not responsible for reimbursing the cost for protective which t like plexiglas is an emergency protection measure . Do you not see it as an emergency protection measure . Mr. Gaynor thats the first i heard of that issue. Again, i will personally look into that and get back to you with an answer. Ms. Plaskett i really appreciate that. One of the other things i wanted to ask you about was in terms of cost share. I understand that we probably wont agree on how much is the federal governments responsibility and how much is the states. But absent that, id appreciate a commitment from you that in a short period of time, within, you know, two weeks or so, that you will jointly issue guidance with h. H. S. To much more clearly explain what activities will be the responsibility of h. H. S. And which will be the responsibility of fema. I know that you all are working on an m. O. A. This pandemic continues ravaging stronger than ever. And congress has appropriated 45 billion for the Disaster Relief fund through the cares act, which supplemented funding for your agencys response effort. Can i get do you have an update or is there a commitment from you [indiscernible] [talking simultaneously] mr. Gaynor youre absolutely correct that we have a bulletin for Covid Response and for National Disasters under Hurricane Season, as an example. And were in the process of merging those two. So its a little bit clearer to jurisdictions under a covid19 major or a potentially new major for a hurricane or tropical storm. So we are working out those details. You know, one of the challenges is theres a lot of supplemental funding across the nation, for lots of different things. We want to make sure that its clear and people understand how to use it. So when the accounting happens, we dont have to claw back any money or have duplication of benefits. We want to be deliberate about that. When theres an update ill share it with you. Ms. Plaskett im just hoping that, like the other issues that weve had, particularly the step program, that that guidance will be sooner rather than later so that our government has clear delineation of what the guidance is. And with the chairs indulgence, i would ask mr. Gaynor, really looking for you, i understand that youve recently youve had a commitment from you personally that any outstanding issues with closing up the step program in the Virgin Islands would be resolved by august of this year. Is fema still on track to honor that commitment to resolve the outstanding issues with closing out the shelter and temporary essential power, the step rogram, by next month . I have other questions ill submit for the record. Mr. Gaynor yes, weve had numerous conversations with the territory on it. We have provided Technical Support and assistance as required and that step program, public assistance program, is reimbursed for eligible expenses. I think the issue now is between the government of puerto rico and the vendors that they hired, making sure all that pipperwork has been submitted, making sure its proper and then when its proper, well absolutely reimburse for eligible costs for the step program. For right now the ball is in the governments court with the contractors they hired. Ms. Plaskett im not asking about puerto rico, im asking about the Virgin Islands. So my understanding is that the local government of the Virgin Islands is give you all of the information and right now its for fema to finalize the outstanding issues so that it can be resolved by august. Mr. Gaynor again, maam. I may have a little bit data information, 30, a 45 days old. The last upcheck i got was still waiting on paperwork so, we can actually you know, we have no problem with identifying the funding to pay out on it. Its really making sure all the costs are eligible and reasonable and proper and absolutely i will pay on those when that criteria is met. But from my latest understanding, id be happy to go back and get an update on, it but my latest understanding is that the territory and its vendors are still working those out. Ms. Plaskett thank you, madam chair. Ms. Speier mr. Gaynor, we are very appreciative of you being here today. And you have one of the most profound taxes i think of anyone tasks i think of anyone in the federal government right now with the exception of dr. Fauci. Id like to speak about the d. P. A. Im really astounded that we have not taken full advantage of the d. P. A. I can tell you that in california, in my district, they are grappling with that problem on a daily basis and are always in need. So, how can we better use the d. P. A. To get the resources we need . This particular pandemic is going to be with us for another year. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. And ive said this publicly a couple times before. So to date, fema, just fema alone, weve used the d. P. A. At least 14 times. Theres other agencies that have other d. P. A. Authority that have used it. One of the things early on in march and april, was to understand the environment we were operating in. And i have probably the finest supply expert in the world that works on this every day. But we wanted to make sure that we did no harm to the existing landscape. To make sure that ms. Speier what do you mean by do no harm . We have people dying in this country. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Ill give you an example. Everyone needed more n95 masks, the material you use to make that mask is the same you make a gown with. So they stopped making gowns and made masks, so we had a gown shortage. All these unintended consequences, we want to be thoughtful and meaningful about. We used it in a deliberate way to get the best result. Ms. Speier let me see if i understand. You have the authority to exercise d. P. A. As the director of fema . Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Ms. Speier so, you can call upon Manufacturing Companies that dont engage in this kind of work to do this kind of work . Correct . Mr. Gaynor we can and we have. There are many manufactures, manufacturer, i listened listed some earlier. But there are new manufacturers in the United States now that had not produced n95 masks. There are producers that have increased their production. Theres new manufacturers like honeywell and moldex that have started new production lines. So it is happening. And again, back to for context. Global competition, global competition for all these medical supplies, 90 of medical supplies not made in the u. S. , and this is a National Security issue, our goal is to move those critical supplies that save lived, minimize suffering, back to the United States. We are doing that. One of the challenges its not a switch. Its a [indiscernible] to so it takes time to make that happen. Ms. Speier heres my point. Let me just make this point. I have companies in my district that took advantage of p. P. P. , thats the payroll Protection Plan, they got milliondollar loans to become the middleman from china. P. E. So they actually bought n 5 mask from china, n95 masks to china, brought them to the United States, and an 85cent mask, they were charging our government 8 for and getting a payroll Protection Plan local on top of it. So loan on top of it. So it has got son twisted. Gotten so twisted. We are misusing the taxpayer money when we dont do virtually all of that here in the United States. Let me move on to another mr. Gaynor if i can again just some more context. Through the cares act, that Congress Passed, 1 billion to increase production in the United States. So our partners in d. O. D. And d. L. A. Are working on a host of initiatives to increase production of pharmaceuticals, masks, other ms. Speier i appreciate that. But my hospitals are still clamoring for p. P. E. They are struggling to get it. Theyre paying high prices for it. It shouldnt have to happen. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Again, were in a much better place. We still have a ways to go. But weve come a long way since march and april. I have no doubt that the prices are not what they once were precovid at 70 cents a mask. Those days are probably long gone. But nonetheless, we get healthier every day and ill just use n95 mask. Whether we import a little bit more overseas, until we can catch up in the United States, but we have to build it in america. And we have to make sure we just dont build it in america for a couple years and then forget about how important it is. But to fund those companies, those Great American companies that are doing it for us today for the long haul. And were focusing on that. So we dont fall into this trap in five years or 10 years or 15 years. We want to make sure we learned the lessoned learned, hard lessoned learned, right, over the past five months, that we dont repeat those again. Ms. Speier the price gouging thats going on here in the United States, which is happening as well, youre saying those 70cent masks are long gone. Why should they be long gone if we can get the production up . And if were paying u. S. Companies now to do the production, why shouldnt they be providing those masks at 70 cents a mask . Mr. Gaynor im not an economist or a supply chain expert. But it is about a lack of supply and theyre at high demand. Those prices go up. Im not saying its right or wrong. I think its just the environment we live in. And i think if you make it in america, its probably going to cost a little bit more than making it in china, for example. Part of the way we live, we live in a world where we really dont warehouse these things anymore. Its just, you know, we need it today and it comes from china tomorrow. And we have it the next day. We need to change that dynamic so we dont fall into that trap. Its all the other things we need to take a deep dive in to make sure our nation is ready for the next pandemic or something that equals that stress on the issue. Ms. Speier im going to ask you one morissette of questions. Can i just ask you this straight out. Do you believe in climbed changes Climate Change . Mr. Gaynor maam, first of all, im not a scientist. But i believe that the climate has changed. Ill use hurricanes, and you can look back at the history of hurricanes over the last 75 years or more. More frequent, more costly. More damage. And so the climate has changed. But femas role in this is no matter the cause of a disaster, so whether its a hurricane or a tornado, our response and our responsibility to the nation is to respond to all of those [indiscernible] [talking simultaneously] ms. Speier precisely. It would make sense that you would have Climate Change as something that you would consider in your strategic planning, possibly to improve your ability to assist when these calamities occur . Mr. Gaynor youre referencing the 2018 strategy . Strategic plan . Ms. Speier yes. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. We did not reference Climate Change, we didnt even reference ms. Speier you removed it. Mr. Gaynor i wasnt here for 2020, so i cant speak to that. We didnt 2017. So i cant speak to that. We didnt speak to hazards in that plan. It was more a thought piece about what is important to the nation and let me just give you, again, context. I was a state director. Fema requires every state to have a Hazard Mitigation plan that addresses changing conditions. Things like demographics, land use, infrastructure, climate in that plan. And are fully embraced making sure we understand all e things that impact readiness in states and readiness as a nation. So it may not be in there, but, again, ms. Speier it should be. Mr. Gaynor yes, maam. Ms. Speier it has to be considered, correct . Mr. Gaynor we consider it. Ms. Speier the last question i have deals with whether or not youre training those who are going to be called in to the work force during the fire season, are you dane training them in virus containment techniques . In terms of in terms of their interactions with each other on the fire lines. Mr. Gaynor i cant speak specifically to firefighters on a fire line. But what i can say is that the c. D. C. Has numerous guidelines about how to keep safe when dealing with covid19. So whether youre a firefighter or a Police Officer or a nurse in a hospital, there is guidance out there that you can use to keep yourself safe. And ill just give you the four basic things i think Everyone Needs to do, whether youre on the front line firefighter or just at home watching tv. Wear a mask. If everyone did that, wed continue to flatten the curve. Keep your hands clean. Every time you walk by the pump, wash your hands. Dont wear gloves, it doesnt help. Third is social distancing. Six feet away or more. And lastly, dont go into crowded bars. And dont go into crowded restaurants. If we can do those four basic things, every american can work toward beating covid19 as fast as we can. And i got those four from dr. Fauci. So im proud to quote him on that. Ms. Speier administrator, thank you. Its important for the message to get out about gloves too. Every time i see people with gloves on, i worry that they dont appreciate that theyre actually making things worse. Mr. Gaynor they are, they are. Ms. Speier thank you again very much for being here today. In closing, i want to thank you again for your remarks and your willingness to engage with us. Without objection, all members will have five legislative days within which to submit additional written questions for the witnesses to the chair, which will be forwarded to the witnesses for their response. And i ask that you promptly respond as you are able. This hear something is adjourned. Mr. Gaynor thank you, maam. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2020] thank you all the world in which we live in the testimony we will get through it