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« Ruling: Family Court has jurisdiction in 'gap kid' cases | Today | Health Dept. reopens Oakland Beach, shuts Atlantic » July 10, 2008Federal, state campaign stresses hurricane readinessPROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri and Adjutant General Robert T. Bray, who leads the state Emergency Management Agency, today emphasized the importance of preparing for a hurricane. Their remarks came as the Northeast Hurricane Mitigation Leadership Forum takes place this afternoon and tomorrow in Newport. At the forum, a joint effort by the state and the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is promoting a public information campaign to help everyone in Rhode Island mitigate the damage from a hurricane. No two hurricanes are alike, said National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read, who met this morning with the governor at the State House. That's why, Read said, it's important for people to be informed and prepared well before the hurricane strikes. Those who survive a storm with lives and property intact believe it was luck, said FLASH President Leslie Chapman-Henderson. It's not luck, she said, it's because someone did something ahead of time to prepare. The last time Rhode Island faced anything approaching an emergency -- the Dec. 13 snowstorm -- neither Carcieri nor Bray were on the job. Carcieri was in the Middle East and out of contact; Bray was out sick. Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts said she was rebuffed on attempts to run the emergency and that the governor often didn't inform her when he was away. A Journal reporter asked Carcieri whether he would inform the lieutenant governor when he is out of state in case of an emergency, and whether he plans to curtail Bray's federal travel. A recent Journal review that Bray was out of the state about seven months in his first 22 months on the job. The governor has said previously that the general would be responsible for the state's emergency response during Carcieri's absence. Under the state's emergency plans and state law, the governor is in charge of directing an emergency; otherwise, the responsibility falls to the lieutenant governor. The governor didn't address the question about the lieutenant governor, but said that they all travel and they try to be sensitive about when a hurricane is going to hit. He said he had no concerns about the general's travel. "There will be leadership," Carcieri said. "Dave Smith [the new executive director of the state EMA] is going to do a great job." -- Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits The FLASH campaign was developed in Florida after devastating Hurricane Andrew took its toll in that state. Now, the organization works nationwide on disaster mitigation. Rhode Island is the first of the New England states for the hurricane campaign. The campaign, which is paid for by a federal homeland security grant and matching money, also includes a 42-page booklet with preparation tips, information about hurricanes, and contacts. The pamphlets are being distributed inside all local Stop & Shop stores, CVS stores, Dave's Marketplace locations, Shaw's supermarkets, and AAA offices. Spanish-language pamphlets and information posted on the Internet at GetHurricaneReadyRi.org is forthcoming. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsJay | July 11, 2008 7:22 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
How can i prepare for an emergency when I can barely afford to pay my bills. There is nothing left over to buy things that would be needed "IF" a hurricane strikes.
I work an honest 40 hours a week and my family is breaking even. This is disgusting!