Thank you to everyone for attending today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing entitled, Emergency Preparedness:  Evaluating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Fourth Mission. 

On September 11, 2001, we witnessed one of the greatest tragedies in American history.  Still today, we all remember the horrific scenes of these terrorist attacks.  Four years later, in 2005, the Gulf Coast was hit by one of the biggest natural disasters the region has ever seen, as Hurricane Katrina swept  through the region, killing thousands and  leaving many homeless and displaced. And sadly again today we see Gulf states struggling with yet another major disaster, as the oil continues to spill.  These types of events highlight the critical need for Federal agencies to proactively prepare to effectively execute their Federal obligations, especially when called upon during emergencies.

Today, we will evaluate and examine the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs emergency management, preparedness, security, and law enforcement activities to ensure the Department can perform the mission essential functions under all circumstances across the spectrum of threats, including natural disasters. With several health care facilities, and hundreds of doctors and health care professionals, the VA’s emergency preparedness posture, also known as the Fourth Mission, must be able to respond when needed and when called upon.

The Federal Response Plan (FRP) is an important mechanism for providing coordination of Federal assistance and resources to areas that have been overwhelmed by disaster and emergency situations, while supporting the implementation of the Robert Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.  The VA’s Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness (OSP) is responsible for directing and providing oversight for the Department’s planning, response and security programs in support of the FRP.

I am looking forward to hearing from the VA their emergency preparedness plans and how they coordinate and communicate with other agencies such as FEMA and HHS, who are here today, to carry out their Fourth Mission.

Every day, we are reminded of the potential threats that are out there that may disrupt the American way of life and the freedoms we enjoy each day.  The VA must be prepared to respond to these threats and offer their full support and resources to ensure that their role in the Federal Response Plan is integrated with other agencies to execute its mission.