This year’s attendees include some big hitters – including Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff. Charlotte County Emergency Management Director Wayne Sallade says Chertoff’s presence is no surprise – following last year’s record breaking hurricane season and greatest natural disaster- dollar wise - in American History.

“those of us who have been in the business for a long time know there was a significant lack of attention to natural disasters after 9-11 – and a lot of our natoin’s focus went to terrorism prepardness and so many people as evidenced by what we saw in the upper gulf states apparently weren’;t paying attention when fl was hit by four storms in six weeks in 2004.

Chertoff outlined ways the government will streamline relief efforts this year. The government is assigning federal disaster responders to 13 states. The idea is to have them standing by to deliver aid and supplies quickly to victims following an emergency. In addition, FEMA will appoint top level disaster officials to oversee federal response in five regions where hurricanes are most likely to strike.