Release Number: HQ-10-046

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today addressed representatives from some of the leading technology and communications companies, discussing the growing role technology plays in preparedness and disaster response, particularly in engaging the public.

"The tech sector is one of the most important members of the nation's emergency management team," said Fugate. "Just as technology is constantly changing our daily lives, it's changing the way we manage disasters. Today's event provided an opportunity to talk about ways FEMA and the private sector can work together to further engage the public and strengthen our nation's preparedness."

As Administrator, Fugate has made a concerted effort to engage the private sector as part of the nation's emergency management team. He has made the use of social networking sites and other new media a central component of the agency's public outreach, and has met previously with representatives from Google, Microsoft, TechNet and other industry leaders. Last November, Fugate delivered the keynote address to Random Hacks of Kindness, Disaster Relief Codejam, an initiative that brings together disaster relief experts and software engineers to work onentifying key challenges and solutions for the future.

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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.