Homeland Security, FEMA Head to Southern California

According to Press Secretary Russ Knocke, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison traveled to southern California Tuesday, October 23, 2007. They  visited areas impacted by wildfires burning across the state, and observed federal response efforts in support of local officials.

President Bush issued an emergency disaster declaration for California on October 22 , and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response activities in the affected areas. FEMA has approved seven fire assistance grants in support of local fire-fighting efforts.

Among other federal activities underway, a Joint Field Office is being established in Pasadena, Calif. FEMA has opened its Regional Response Coordination Center, operating on a 24/7 basis in support of state response efforts. A FEMA liaison is working from the State Emergency Operations Center in Sacramento, and a federal Emergency Response Team has been identified and staged to deploy as needed.

Source: Department of Homeland Security