FEMA moves to Alaska

July 10, 2007

By John R. Moses / Frontiersman

MAT-SU - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a new area office for Alaska, run by a familiar face - television meteorologist and Coast Guard Reserve Capt. Robert Forgit.

Many recognize Forgit, on-air personality for KTUU-TV in Anchorage since 1993, from his on-air appearances and off-air emcee work for such charitable events as the Talkeetna Bachelor's Auction. He was promoted to captain on July 5.

&#8220I'm looking forward to the opportunity,” Forgit said. &#8220It's the same kind of work I'm doing now, just with a different hat.”

Alaska's FEMA region is also made up of Idaho, Washington State and Oregon, meaning resources can be pooled in the event of a catastrophe, Forgit said. Going to work off the air when a crisis strikes isn't new to the award-winning broadcaster. He was called to active duty six years ago and left the news desk behind, keeping viewers up on Alaska's weather as a part-time gig he said FEMA will let him continue.

Forgit previously served on the federal on-scene coordinator's staff for the Exxon-Valdez oil spill and was the chief of port security in Western Alaska after the terrorist attacks of September 11. He continues to serve on active duty as the 17th Coast Guard District liaison officer in Anchorage until September.

&#8220Regional offices help us build strong relationships and open lines of communication before a disaster strikes,” FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said. &#8220A permanent regional presence is an essential part of our effort to build the foundation for FEMA's future activities in Alaska.”

The new regional office came to Anchorage at the urging of an Alaska senator.

&#8220I am pleased FEMA has chosen such a capable Alaskan to run its new office,” Sen. Ted Stevens said. &#8220Capt. Forgit has proven himself in emergency situations, and Alaskans will greatly benefit from his leadership.”

Stevens strongly supported an amendment to the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act directing FEMA to open an office in Alaska.

FEMA's Alaska Area Office will also serve as a field office for pre-disaster preparedness and planning, as well as a staging and work area for Preliminary Damage Assessment teams. It is located in the Anchorage Federal Building Annex.