WASHINGTON – FEMA will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m. EDT with manufacturers and distributors of critical healthcare and medical equipment and resources to discuss collaboration with the federal government in response to COVID-19 and improve readiness for future pandemics.
Any comments or questions can be emailed before noon on Monday, Oct. 12 OB3I@fema.dhs.gov. Media or members of the public interested in the meeting can visit this link which will be live shortly before the meeting begins and will be limited to the first 450 participants.
The meeting will provide an overview of a five-year voluntary agreement that FEMA established on Aug. 17 as part of the Defense Production Act to enhance coordination and cooperation between the federal government and private industry for national security and preparedness.
FEMA introduced a draft of the agreement at a public meeting in May. It was also published in the Federal Register at that time.
The first hour of the meeting will be public and include how various private sector companies can work with the federal government to facilitate the manufacturing and distribution of critical healthcare and medical resources when needed.
The second hour will be open only to private sector companies who are signatories to the voluntary agreement for more detailed discussions and action plans to be used in the future for COVID-19 or other pandemics.