ICYMI: FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks Visits New Mexico Emergency Management and Tribal Leaders

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks traveled to New Mexico to connect with state and tribal leaders and discuss agency partnerships on preparedness, mitigation and response efforts as the region experiences continued increases in major wildfires.  

Hooks met with tribes and the state’s emergency management leaders to discuss the ongoing response to wildfires and other ongoing recovery projects in the state.

“I enjoyed discussing FEMA’s support and ongoing partnership opportunities with state and tribal leaders” said Hooks. “Wildfire mitigation, as well as preparedness and readiness efforts were priority topics, along with how FEMA can continue to better support underserved communities across both the state and the nation.”

Hooks met with Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Diego Arecon about the four declared Fire Management Assistance Grants in the state. A prolonged drought across the Western U.S. has raised the risk of wildfires in the region. The Southwest Coordination Center reported New Mexico wildfires had burned over 173,000 acres this year alone, a figure that is greater than seven of the last eight years.         

Hooks also met with tribal leaders from Santa Clara Pueblo, Santa Domingo Pueblo and Pueblo of Santa Ana and visited ongoing FEMA mitigation projects with the leaders that are meant to tackle flood control and wildfire prevention. FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks traveled to New Mexico to connect with state and tribal leaders and discuss agency partnerships on preparedness, mitigation and response efforts as the region experiences continued increases in major wildfires.  

Hooks met with tribes and the state’s emergency management leaders to discuss the ongoing response to wildfires and other ongoing recovery projects in the state. “I enjoyed discussing FEMA’s support and ongoing partnership opportunities with state and tribal leaders,” said Hooks. “Wildfire mitigation, as well as preparedness and readiness efforts were priority topics, along with how FEMA can continue to better support underserved communities across both the state and the nation.” Hooks met with State Director of Emergency Management, Diego Arecon about the four declared Fire Management Assistance Grants in the state. A prolonged drought across the Western U.S. has raised the risk of wildfires in the region. The Southwest Coordination Center reported New Mexico wildfires had burned over 173,000 acres this year alone, a figure that is greater than seven of the last eight years.         

Hooks also met with tribal leaders from Santa Clara Pueblo, Santa Domingo Pueblo and Pueblo of Santa Ana and visited ongoing FEMA mitigation projects with the leaders that are meant to tackle flood control and wildfire prevention.  

SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, N.M. -- FEMA staff and Santa Clara Pueblo tribal members in the Santa Clara Canyon during FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks recent visit to New Mexico. The team visited a hazard mitigation project that took a naturalistic approach to flood mitigation. (Front row from left) James Baca of the Santa Clara Pueblo, SCP Gov. J. Michael Chavarria, FEMA Deputy Administrator Hooks, Paula Gutierrez (FEMA), and Garrett Altmann and Daniel Tafoya from Santa Clara Pueblo. (Back row from left) Santa Clara Pueblo's Donald Suazo, Jude Chavarria and Tribal Sheriff Joseph Gutierrez (FEMA photo by Charles Shaw)

 

SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, N.M. -- FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks (center) surveys the Santa Clara Canyon with Santa Clara Pueblo Gov. J. Michael Chavarria (far left), Garrett Altmann (2nd from right) and FEMA’s Sash Goswami. (FEMA photo by Charles Shaw)

Original author: mayshaunt.gary
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