Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) Director Elton Lewis was named vice chair of the National Emergency Management Agency ((NEMA) Pacific and Territorial Caucus at the NEMA 2014 Mid-Year Policy and Leadership Forum, which was held this week in Alexandria, Va.
Lewis joins newly-appointed caucus chairperson Doug Mayne of Hawaii in representing NEMA members outside of the contiguous United States. In addition to Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Pacific and Territorial Caucus represents Puerto Rico, Alaska, and the Pacific territories of American Somoa, Guam, Palau, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands and Micronesia.
As vice chair, Lewis will address issues that are important to caucus members and coordinate with NEMA Board of Directors and policy committees.
“I’m honored to have been named vice chair of the Pacific and Territorial Caucus,” Lewis said. “As U.S. territories, we all face similar challenges in managing disasters because of geographic location. My goal is to continue developing policies that promote the most effective and comprehensive approach to managing a disaster when assistance may not be immediately available.”
NEMA is a nonprofit association dedicated to enhancing public safety by improving the nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all emergencies, disasters and threats to the nation’s security. It is the professional association of and for emergency management directors from all 50 states, eight U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. NEMA provides national leadership and expertise in comprehensive emergency management, and serves as a vital emergency management information and assistance resource.