Last Thursday, a group of IAEM Region 1 members from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut traveled to Washington D.C. to engage in critical emergency management policy discussions and stress the need for federal support of this field. Our visit consisted of Capitol Hill visits with committee staff from the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and our respective congressional member offices.
During our visit, we built relationships with key staff, discussed current and emerging threats, and advocated for legislation supporting the advancement of emergency management.
Additionally, we had the chance to meet up with members from IAEM-USA Region 3 at a networking event on Thursday night and tour the House Sergeant at Arms Operations Center, U.S. Capitol, and DC's new impressive Emergency Operations Center. Thanks to Region 3 for welcoming us with such generosity.
I'm excited about the advocacy opportunities that lie ahead and grateful to the IAEM members who joined us for their time and invaluable insights. Please feel free to reach out if your region is interested in replicating these efforts.
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Christian Cunnie
Director of Emergency Management
Suffolk University
Boston MA
(781) 626-3942
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