Suncoast News: Bilirakis brings FEMA oversight role to Pasco

NEW PORT RICHEY - When U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis was touring emergency response agencies in the area, his first stop was the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management.

Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, was gathering facts after being named chairman of the House Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Subcommittee, which oversees operation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Not only is Bilirakis concerned about the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, but he was curious to see how local offices are ready to handle terrorism threats or other disasters.

The fact-finding mission yielded several insights that Bilirakis shared with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. ...

Read the rest of the story in The Suncoast News:

Bilirakis brings FEMA oversight role to Pasco
By CARL·ORTH
The Suncoast News
Published: February 23, 2011