Former First Responder Named Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman

Sept. 27, 2005
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) has been appointed chairman for the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology.

"As a former first responder, Dave Reichert brings real-life experience and dedication to the Committee that is unmatched," said House Homeland Security Chairman Peter T. King (R-N.Y.). "The devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita underscores the need for robust preparedness and response capabilities in the event of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. No one is more qualified to lead this effort than Dave Reichert."

As subcommittee chairman, Reichert will lead the primary oversight panel for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (OSLGCP), Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) terrorism preparedness and response missions.

"I look forward to continuing the excellent work this subcommittee has done. aking sure the American people are safe is our top priority. Effectively preparing our first responders and emergency response systems takes care of all of our families, and I will work to see they continue to have the necessary resources," said Reichert.

Before he was elected to Congress, Reichert served as a police officer for 33 years, including 8 years as the King County, Washington sheriff. Reichert also serves as vice-chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!