John Katko: “I am honored to be the sponsor of H.R. 4358, the Preliminary Damage Assessment Improvement Act, along with the gentleman…”

“I am honored to be the sponsor of H.R. 4358, the Preliminary Damage Assessment Improvement Act, along with the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham). Preliminary damage assessments, or PDAs, play a critical role in assessing and validating the impact of a disaster. PDAs establish a foundation for further assistance requests and are essential to the overall disaster relief process. Inaccurate PDAs can impact the types of Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, assistance available to communities following a disaster. Although FEMA is currently required to designate officials to support States and local communities in the PDA process, inconsistencies and turnovers in staffing can endanger access to critical relief. H.R. 4358 requires FEMA to report on FEMA's role in the PDA process, including staffing and training. The bill also directs FEMA to take measures to ensure FEMA teams involved in damage assessments are appropriately trained and consistent. Whether FEMA is responding to flooding in my district on Lake Ontario's southern shore, which happens often, or hurricanes in South Carolina's Lowcountry or natural disasters in any other impacted community nationwide, consistency and dependability are crucial. I want to thank the American Flood Coalition for working with Representative Cunningham and me on this important legislation. In closing, H.R.…”