“There are probably no two more experienced and knowledgeable people on Earth when it comes to dealing with natural disasters, either before or after they occur,” Jimi Grande, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) senior vice president of governmental affairs, said according to a NAMIC release. “The case that former administrators Paulison and Fugate made for strengthening our pre-disaster mitigation programs and statewide building codes was compelling, and NAMIC strongly urges Congress to follow through on their recommendations to better strengthen and prepare Americans for natural disasters.”
Their testimony focused on the role FEMA could play in mitigating the threats of natural disasters through incentives for adopting modernized building codes, which could reduce both property damage and the loss of lives.
“We’ve seen the number of disaster declarations skyrocket over the past few decades, regardless of which party is in power, along with an unsustainable growth in how much of the recovery is paid for with taxpayer dollars,” Grande said. “As insurers, NAMIC member companies know that the best recovery plan is to prevent losses before they happen. A FEMA that is focused on mitigation and resiliency will be better able to serve our communities before and after natural disasters.”
Paulison is a senior adviser to the BuildStrong Coalition, of which NAMIC is a founding member.
Alerts Sign-up