FEMA official, top Israeli general co-chair emergency management workgroup

July 4, 9:19 AMLaw Enforcement ExaminerJim Kouri

The top Federal Emergency Management Agency official met with Major General Yair Golan, commander of the Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command, in Washington, DC last week as part of an effort to create a working relationship with Israel by sharing information on the emergency management practices of both nations, according to a Homeland Security Department report to police and law enforcement organizations including the 14,000-member National Association of Chiefs of Police

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and General Golan now serve as co-chairs of an emergency management workgroup designed to discuss problems and issues and to exchange information on a variety of topics such as long-term community recovery, exercise programs, emergency and disaster policies and procedures, terrorism and other subjects.

"I look forward to working with my Israeli counterpart as co-chair of an emergency management workgroup to improve emergency management practices in both countries," said Fugate.

"These partnerships are critical in ensuring that we are incorporating best practices and also working towards greater public preparedness," he said.

The IDF/HFC partners with the Israeli National Emergency Management Authority on emergency management issues in the Jewish state. IDF/HFC and NEMA work with FEMA under an emergency management workgroup established under a 2007 Memorandum of Understanding with the US Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA and Israel have had several exchanges of information over the past year. FEMA representatives attended the national preparedness exercise Turning Point 3 in Israel on June 1, 2009. In the past, Israel sent observers to the TOPOFF 4 (Top Officials 4) national exercise in the United States, as well as personnel to participate in FEMA emergency management training.

Scenarios covered in the TOPOFF drills included response to a terrorist attack involving a weapon of mass destruction (bio-chemical attack) in the New York City metropolitan area. The drills involved police, fire and emergency medical personnel from New York and northern New Jersey. 

FEMA's primary mission is to support US citizens and first responders as they work together to build, sustain, and improve their capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all emergencies including man-made (terrorism) or natural (earthquake, hurricane), according to one official.

In recent years, US law enforcement officers and commanders frequently visit Israel to partake in counterterrorism and emergency management training.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he's the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. 

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