"He is one of the most respected emergency managers in the nation, and the work he's accomplished in Florida serves as a model for other states to follow," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
In October 2001, Fugate was appointed the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management by Gov. Jeb Bush. After the events of 9/11, the division was tasked with the role of managing the federal homeland security funding and developing Florida's domestic security strategy with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The program has since been recognized as a model for other states.
In September 2003, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first such program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.
Fugate led the response to some of the worst hurricanes in Florida's history in 2004 and 2005, and he has helped the state cut response times to impacted communities during recent hurricanes.
In addition to the response to hurricanes Dennis and Wilma, 2005 saw Florida's largest mutual aid response after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Over 7,000 responders from Florida state and local agencies provided assistance to local communities in Mississippi and the state of Louisiana.
In addition to his leadership at the state level, Fugate spent 15 years in local government as a volunteer firefighter, a paramedic, a lieutenant with Alachua County, Fla., Fire Rescue, as well as serving 10 years as the emergency manager for Alachua County.
"I'm confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated," Obama said.
Ellen Gordon had also been considered for the job.
The White House said in a press release that Fugate will join Napolitano for an event in New Orleans tomorrow.
