Any organization to respond in a way that would have been without any criticism or flaws. What we felt was appropriate for the situation was absolutely not appropriate and a horrible solution. Reporter it feel to utilize the federal wireless alert system that sends text to all cell phones in a specific area. The Emergency Alert system that uses wireless Cable Systems and Cable Television systems were not used. We had no plans for seniors or people of disabilities and knowing that they might have a hard time in evacuating in a fastmoving fire. We were really good in dealing with the disasters that we have experience. We got real good in dealing with fires like this but frankly, we have not experienced a fire like this. Reporter california has 57 of the counties. Anyone of them at which at any time can have the same situation that sonoma does. It is far past time to assess and act. I tell every official dont wait until the disaster hit you before you make this a priority. That is exactly
The hearing today. Senator casey for serving as Ranking Member. They have both been leaders on the subject. Senator burr was the author of the pandemic and all hazards preparedness act. Ill collect all hazards preparedness act. The law helps protect us from the full range of Public Health threats from National Disasters to terror attacks. In 2013, senators burn casey by the bipartisan authorization of the pandemic and all hazards act. Many contributed including senators and sam bennett. Warren, hatch, roberts, and others. Now its to be reauthorized for a second time. Todays hearing is the second for this year. Last week we heard from the administration including from the assistant secretary, the fda and the centers for disease control. In the middle of the flu season is critical we reauthorized the act before many of the provisions expire in september. I hope will do that in a bipartisan way. People are not as aware of the devastation of the flu, and i mentioned. The figures are betwee
This is just over two hours. I would like to call the hearing to order. First off, i would like to recognize the chairman of the committee for a segment. Thank you. I want to thank the senator for chairing the hearing today. Sen. Casey serving as Ranking Member at senator murrays request. They have both been real leaders on this subject. Senator burr was the original i will call it the all hazards preparedness act. In 2006. The law helps protect us from the full range of Public Health threats. In 2013, senators berger and senator burr and senator casey led the committee. Many members of the committee contributed, some are still on the committee. In the middle of the flu season, it is critical we reauthorize the act before many of its provisions expire and set number. I hope we will do this in a bipartisan way and i expect that. It has been the tradition with the law and with this committee on almost all of our major bills. Thele are not as aware of devastation of, for example, loop. I
Hazards preparedness act. I will collect all hazards preparedness act, that makes it better for me. Fromaw helps protect us the full range of Public Health threats. Then in 2013, senator burr and , senator casey led the authorization. Many members of this committee some are still on the committee. Now, the bill needs to be reauthorized for a second time. Todays hearing is the second we have had this year. Last week, we heard from the oninistration recommendations in advance of the reauthorization act, including the secretary from preparedness response, the food and the administrator centers for Disease Control and prevention. The middle of the flu season, it is critical that we reauthorized the act before many of its provisions expire in september. I hope will do this in a bipartisan way, and i expect that. It has been tradition with the law and this committee with all of our major bills. People are not as aware of the devastation of, for example, flu, and they mentioned the flu season
The Vice President would be a pretty good one. Well see. We had a meeting with the Vice President and two cochairs and well see where that leads. But theres a lot of work to be done. Fortunately the panel provide a recommendation to further enhance our abilities to prevent, and respond and protect against a buy logical incident. Today we have the opportunity to discuss recommendations with the heads of several agencies, senior people in several agencies who will be responsible for implementing some of the recommendations of the earlier panel. Im eager to hear your thoughts and hear how you believe we can further improve our countrys biodefense systems. This is an important conversation to have. In the context of recent global events including a couple emergesing as we speak. Ebola continues to threaten west africa and the threat of the virus has declined significantly, thanks in no small part to the Investments America has made and the Health Systems of those countries hardest hit by t