Press Release: FEMA Administrator Statement on the Passing of Preparedness Advocate John Solomon

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate issued the following statement today on the passing of John Solomon, a leading advocate for strengthening community and personal preparedness for disasters.  Solomon was also the founder of a leading emergency management blog, “In Case of Emergency” and a volunteer with his local Community Emergency Response Team in New York, which helps prepare communities for emergencies.

“Sheree and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Solomon, a critical voice within our emergency management community.  Like many of us, John knew the value of a prepared public, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the need to prepare our families, neighbors, workplaces, and communities for all hazards.  Through his blog, he was able to deliver this message far beyond his own community, encouraging citizens to get involved and sharing key resources and opportunities for them to do so.

“John was both an important ally and critic of emergency managers.  I always appreciated his willingness to offer candid assessments of where we stood as a country as far as preparedness, and respected his honest feedback about our work here at FEMA.  He pushed all of us to always do more to engage and prepare the public – and set the standard for what it meant to be part of our nation’s emergency management team.  Sheree’s and my thoughts are with John’s family and friends during this sad time.  We will continue to do everything we can to honor what John stood for and carry on his fight – to create a prepared and resilient public.”