ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association on Monday applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency for including a private sector seat as a part of the National Response Coordination Center and recruiting external affairs specialists for each of the 10 FEMA regions.
“This partnership is a welcomed announcement, and we applaud FEMA for their outstanding leadership and commitment to working with the private sector on response and recovery efforts,” said Lisa LaBruno, vice president of loss prevention and legal affairs, in a statement.
“Retailers pride themselves on providing effective and reliable support during times of crisis,” she added. “Through the contribution of this new private sector position and the 10 external affairs specialists, the retail industry, federal government and its state and local partners will have the ability to work together and be better prepared when disaster strikes.”
External affairs specialists will be responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies designed to enhance relationships with FEMA stakeholders — with a primary emphasis on private sector and stakeholders.
FEMA has created a private sector seat in the National Response Coordination Center that will serve as a private sector position within FEMA for three month rotations. The candidates will serve both the NRCC and the Private Sector Division through coordination, communication and collaboration with industry and retailers.
Through the work of the RILA Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Committee, which consists of retail executives charged with ensuring that their company is prepared to respond to a crisis, retailers remain informed with pertinent information from the Department of Homeland Security.
