FEMA ANNOUNCES PERMANENT FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR RECOVERY OPERATIONS
IN PUERTO RICO
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/fema-announces-permanent-federal-coordinator-recovery-operations-puerto-rico]


Release Date: 
Out 31, 2020 

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO – Today, FEMA announced that Mr. José G.
Baquero Tirado, Esq. will serve as Federal Disaster Recovery
Coordinator, or FDRC, for disaster recovery operations in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Baquero will permanently lead
disaster recovery coordination and collaboration between the federal
interagency and the Government of Puerto Rico, the private sector and
voluntary, faith-based and community organizations. 

“Our partnership over the last year with mayors, COR3 and the
Government of Puerto Rico has paved the way for the island’s
long-term recovery. Mr. Baquero’s permanent appointment is another
indicator that our mission on the island is on track and that the
operation is ready for the road ahead,” said the current Federal
Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Alex Amparo.

For the past 15 years, Mr. Baquero led the Transportation Security
Administration office for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Throughout his career he has also worked as a private attorney, and at
the local and federal government level. Mr. Baquero is born and raised
in Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico
School of Law.

For his part, Mr. Baquero added that “it is a privilege to serve my
Island in this capacity. I look forward to being part of this historic
recovery mission and to carry on with the outstanding work done by Mr.
Amparo and the team as our efforts to help rebuild for the benefit of
the people of Puerto Rico continue.”

Both Mr. Amparo and Mr. Baquero will work together in the coming weeks
to ensure an effective transition of duties.

Mr. Amparo returns to support FEMA’s mission in Washington, D.C. His
role on the island was pivotal in leading the disaster recovery
efforts for Hurricane María as well as the response missions for the
earthquakes, COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storms Isaías and Laura.

To date, over $7.2 BILLION has been obligated under FEMA’s Public
Assistance program for costs related to hurricanes Irma and María,
including projects to help rebuild infrastructure throughout Puerto
Rico.

For more information on Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María,
visit fema.gov/disaster/4339
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339] and recuperacion.pr
[http://www.recuperacion.pr/]. Follow us on our social networks
at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico
[http://www.facebook.com/femapuertorico], Facebook.com/COR3pr
[http://www.facebook.com/cor3pr] and on Twitter @COR3pr
[https://twitter.com/cor3pr].

 [Mr. José G. Baquero raising his hand in front a 3 flags ] 
SAN JUAN, PR (August 31, 2020) – FEMA announced that Mr. José G.
Baquero Tirado, Esq. will serve as Federal Disaster Recovery
Coordinator, or FDRC, for disaster recovery operations in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Baquero will permanently lead
disaster recovery coordination and collaboration between the federal
interagency and the Government of Puerto Rico, the private sector and
voluntary, faith-based and community organizations.