Pitt's Center for National Preparedness to Host FEMA Administrator For Lecture on Federal Emergency Management March 5

PITTSBURGH-Whether through acts of nature or man-made terror, Americans are always susceptible to life-altering occurrences. In an effort to provide insight into the nation's preparation for such unforeseen events, the University of Pittsburgh's Center for National Preparedness (CNP) will host a lecture by Jonathan Sarubbi, an administrator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III, at 3 p.m. March 5, 528 Alumni Hall, 4227 Fifth Ave., Oakland. The lecture, part of the CNP's 2008-09 Seminar Series, is titled "Federal Emergency Management."

As a regional administrator, Sarubbi coordinates FEMA's emergency preparedness, mitigation, and disaster response and recovery activities. His talk will focus on the mission of FEMA and the unique challenges found within Region III, which comprises the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. He also will discuss anticipated changes to FEMA's policies under the Obama Administration.

Before coming to FEMA, Sarubbi was the vice president of maritime operations for the International Registries, Maritime, and Corporate Administrators of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 26 years, where he specialized in marine safety, port security, and pollution response.

Sarubbi has been awarded numerous honors and distinctions during his more than 30 years of government service. He is a recipient of the Department of Transportation Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement as well as the Port of Philadelphia Maritime Society's "2005 Person of the Year." He also has received the Meritorious Service Medal, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and two Commandant Letter of Commendation Ribbons.

Pitt's CNP is a broad, multidisciplinary collaborative enterprise that engages the University's scientists, engineers, policy experts, and clinical faculty. Members of the center possess expertise in biomedical research, public health, medicine, national security policy, engineering, and information technology. The center communicates the innovative research of the University's faculty to the broader public through educational and training programs, including this seminar series.

A reception will follow the talk. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. For more information or to register, visit www.cnp.pitt.edu or call

412-624-8291.

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