Including preparing to respond to multiple simultaneous disasters during the 2020 hurricane and wildfire season. From the House Oversight subcommittee, this is an hour and 15 minutes. To committee will come order. I would like to point out that we are glad to have representatives here in joining us today. Enjoyed is in the questioning as we pursue this hearing. It and i recognize myself for five minutes Opening Statement. Im convening todays subcommittee hearing in preparation by fema for responding to and helping our nation recover from Natural Disasters. This year will overlap with the nations ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus epidemic. Fema is the lead federal Agency Response for coordinating prevention mitigation in response andor Recovery Efforts for all domestic disasters including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In recent years, fema has struggled to anticipate the severity of multiple disasters in part to Climate Change, advancing security bands contractor supply, and retain and deploy key personnel. As the United States continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, and the recent surge in cases across the country, and is clear this unprecedented moment has left homeless including fema and unchartered territory. People will vote called that year of 2020 pop elective although some say is an exaggeration. His certainly at times does feel like were 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 seriousness of the challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic. And because of this complaint lack of leadership in an effort response to the administration, tens of thousands more will die. If all this is a horrifying loss of life. Wasnt tragic enough, we know that Climate Change is increasingat the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Setting the stage to losing it more american lives as a result of Natural Disasters in coming months. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that congress and the emergent public understand that deficit pumas preparing for and responding to Natural Disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat on top a nationwide effort to slow and stop the spread of the coronavirus. The 2020 Hurricane Season began on june 1st. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters expect 13 to 19 names storms including succession hurricanes and three six major hurricanes. To bents and states known an artist but hurricanes 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 excavation. Evacuations enough people to northern states like new york and new jersey. Areas that would cause a potential for increase ind the spread in those states. For those who are for the staying and seek emergency shelters they do not have the means to evacuate, of accredited chokers from school gyms to convention centers, risk becoming infection hotspots. The current serious lagan covid19 testing, if it is not fixedd very related to a symptom of the people who have coronavirus staying in the shelters. In many of the same people who have less access to healthcare, Less Health Insurance are more likely to have unknown rentcontrolled and may be at higher risk of death or for complications from covid19. These are prime examples of how Climate Change acts as a threat multiplier during the Public Health crises. The last five years, the u. S. Had seen for federally declared disasters for wildfires than in many previous years. In 2017 and 2018, california experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in the district. In this years weather patterns are in result to above average fire activity. In places like my home state of california, in recent weeks, these areas have also seen staggering covid19 case numbers continue to rise. This is of significant concern because the smoke covid19 negatively impact our cardiovascular System Center respiratory systems. We know that wildfires exasperate these conditions. Especially for children and older adults and those with underlying condition such as asthma, chronic Heart Disease and diabetes. Many of the these known to increase native Health Outcomes and mortality rates among those infected with the coronavirus. And while cloth mass can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, these on of these coverings do not offer protection from smoke. Only properly fitting and 95 mass filter out dangerous particles. And we seen those remain in short supply many h places includingho wildfire. And there is the same heat. No other year in recorded history has been as hot as the years between 2014 and 2019. In 2020, has a high likelihood to be the hottest year on record. This is likely to pose additional challenges to covid19 mitigation efforts. Currently thought households could not have access to air conditioning, or who cannot afford to a turn on a flk to cool and crowded indoor areas which could result in an increase in coronavirus cases. As we sit here today, every state in the United States currently facing a budget shortfall. As a result many states territories governments may be more dependent on fema for supplies and personnel than in recent years. In the middle of the respiratory pandemic, lead to newest observe being taken to safeguard lives about that fema personnel and the disaster survivors. In one of the critical medical supplies could be successful for communities in need. Need to understand howie the fas are being adapted. Me to be plenty able and willing to address increasingly likely worstcase scenarios. And we need to help fema so that they can be fully prepared to meet the mission. As the saying goes, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to feel pretty in this moment, our nations challenges arere unprecedented and extraordinary. In plans and actions must rise to meet the seriousness engraved reality that we space now and in the coming months and years. To put it bluntly, the topics that we are discussing today are literally matters of life and death. I appreciate the Fema Administration participation in the syrian hope that todays discussion will help informants support to critically important work that fema is tasked with. Because the state truly could not be higher. Thank you and i invite Ranking Member of the committee and acting breaking of the subcommittee. To give a five minute Opening Statement. Thank you chairman for the second time. I am not going to fact check on 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. In the business of this committee cannot be done virtually night hope we can continue to working for the emergent people here in dc as we promised to do. One fake theo administrator for testifying today. I know that an extremely busy man. But im interested to learn about the good work that fema has been doing in response to the covid19. The covid19 pandemics has affected more than 3. 8 million americans in this tragically killed more than hundred and 40000. Through president s leadership, fema has responded swiftly to this virus. March 13th President Trump declared a National Emergency pursuant to section five oh 1b. The stafford act. Next this emergency declaration, all states, u. S. Territories requested major disaster declarations. Today all 50 states, five u. S. Territories and the district of columbia have been approved for major disaster declarations rated according to fema, the major disaster declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals republic infrastructure including funds for both emergency and permanent work. As head of the White House Coronavirus task force, Vice President pins fema as a lead agency on march 19th. Fema transitioned into thiss new role and prioritize to protect the health and safety of all americans by utilizing the whole of government and whole of america approach. After this announcement, fema activated the National ResponseCoordination Center to its highest level. If became the focal point of federal ordination efforts. Fema has done a tremendous job in response to the covid19 and the make. Highlight a few numbers to support that. As of july 17th them a fema and the private sector coordinated delivery of four are currently shipping 189,000,095 respirators, 30 3m face shields, 341 million surgical gowns, coveralls and over 20 billion gloves. They have committed 135. 9 billion in support of coven 18 efforts as of july 22n. Has 2245 employees supporting the Pandemic Response out of the total 20000 Agency Employees responding to any other potential emergencies. These are truly staggering numbers theme is currently responding to 114 disasters and 97 emergency declarations concurrently. I look forward to hearing detailssi lo how fema will conte to prepare for the natural lesaster season while battling coven 18. I look forward to todays testimony. Thank you Ranking Member i would like to introduce our witness its my honor to recognize the administrator at fema i will swear him and do you swear or affirm the testimony you are about to give it is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . The witness answered in the affirmative. They give for this opportunity to protect the health and safety of the American People during the coven 18 pandemic within the covid19 environment. Those that have lost their lives through covid19 life lost is what life too many for all of those that have been affected by the pandemic. And helping to the Global Pandemic and as the fema administrator its my honor to work alongside those dedicated professionals in honor their commitment during this response. Response and other Natural Disasters will be state managed and federalnd supported. The president has made the unprecedented decision since that time they have worked tirelessly many have research own health and safety to do so for the first time we have a major disaster in the district ofof columbia concurrently today femas response 114 active disasters 97 emergencies to the Us Virgin Islands and all across the american heartland. The magnitude of this pandemic and other disasters to reduce risk to staff as much as possible while accomplishing our mission. The more common Natural Disasters fema has events that are limited in Geographic Scope and impact with covid19 in 2020 fema has met the more difficult task of finite medical suppliesli instead of managing resources we are managing shortages. Looking across the globe to move them to t america to get temporary relief until it begins to stabilize in addition to expedite supplies into the unitedst states the responses to stabilize the since march 13 we have provided over eight. 2 billion dollars ins obligations. As well as the deployment title to medical professionals who have provided for to numerous hospitals under , stress. We want to ensure we are using all resources to address these critical shortfalls the federal government has utilized the defense production act to ensure the nations future not to be overreliance. This increase of domesticf manufacturing also pivots toward Hurricane Season preparation along with other Natural Disasters overlapping disaster environments will create newnt challenges and the covid19 environment has the widespread availability of non conduit sheltering so social distancing can be observed whenever possible. Critical supply like will haves and ppe to be secured to make sure they are available for use. So to prepare for other disasters from 2020 Hurricane Season to help local officials for more common disasters in the context of the pandemic it is scalable and flexible while this focuses on hurricane preparedness and with the covid19 environment no noted incidents. To further increase the readiness during the overlapping disasters since the beginning of this fiscal year to successfully onboard personnel which is an increase of over 22 percent. Many of these have been on boarded during the covid19 response with the protocols additionally last year to readers reduce for states and territories under the employment grants program. Transportation best practices and as a result fema personnel are better able to contract and distribute goods and services. So for example for the commonwealth of quarter puerto rico since mid 2019 between 1015 per month for an average per month that hasbj obligated more from the hurricanes combined. The streamlined services have accelerated the words process today the federal government has provided 25 million for the response Recovery Efforts in puerto rico. The bedrock of our mission for before during and after disasters. Locally executed state advantage and fully supported. And to do so in accordance with our core values integrity and respect the unprecedented response to the pandemic as we Work Together to protect the lives of the American People thank you for the opportunity to testify today i look forward to any questions you may have. Without objection the gentleman from the state of new york and the gentleman from the Virgin Islands can join the subcommittee to question a witness. With that i would recognize the vice chair of the subcommittee congresswoman for five minutes of questioning. Thank you chairman into the administrator for joining us. This is a very difficult time for so many across the hecountry. I want to be director the administrator had a bunch of questions to talk about but i feel compelled to tell you as i hear my colleagues talk about the approach and the fact we have done all this work with the pandemic with the statistics in my state are very alarming specifically talking about global communities more of my black neighbors died of covert culminating than any other community. And many were africanamerican. Even though it was less than 15 percent of the total population in the state of michigan. So how intentionalon are you to make sure your coverage in regards to how you handlepp the pandemic . Yes maam. Thank you for the question. Emergency management almost 13 years at the local state and federal level, what i have learned with the preexisting challenges in the community before a disaster homelessness or unemployment critical care, the disaster that comes next it could be any disaster it makes those conditions much worse. We knew that early on with covid19 so to take a direct approach with authorities. Some of the things we have done one of the first things that we had not done before is issued the office of equal rights we issued the civil rights bill early on to make sure that individuals and communities and advocacyy groups could receive information also housing programs and Testing Programs across the country. I understand. Im glad you are talking aboutdo that because we have those that are structurally racist but i do want to ask you i heard in a Different Committee one said that during katrina they were very aggressive about getting people direct debit cards so they could get diapers and formula it was a huge barrier during that time. So even though we want to claim we went civil rights for everyone and we have this policy come i dont think it is resulting in taking care of the most vulnerable. Already by not having access to healthcare with environmental racism all of those things like homelessness and all of that is to say that this is a pandemic it seems like they should be doing a lot more direct contact with these Communities Just beyond you dont want them to get hurt more the fact is we have acknowledge theres all these other conditions those that have been broken for a longte t time and thats why we see the uprising across the country but i want to urge you not only from detroit but the large communities, i hear all the time i know you have been working closely with me in my community but also to acknowledge you have access to resources with costsharing requirements. Soso communities now have to cut City Services because you decided not to do that were to push against this reimbursement. When youo do that and those governments which are in the line we are shortchanged. We are already in survival mode we ought to be doing more. And it goes just beyond statements and so forth and i appreciate that but people are dying and getting sick and they dont have access to what you acknowledge because of all the systems up against them i really appreciate this chairman i hope you hear me mr. Administrator, please help black and brown communities they are dying at a highert a ratedo than others in this country. I yield back. Just to follow up, used to live in detroit so i understand some of the ch