WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday stressed the role of local governments in preparing the U.S. to better withstand natural disasters.

"I do believe that the key to resiliency is at the local level of government, not with FEMA," the agency's administrator, Brock Long, said at an event. "If you’re depending on FEMA to make your community resilient, well, that’s the wrong approach."

He noted that much of the work the agency is equipped to focus on is reactive to disasters, as opposed to preventive.

“We don’t pass building codes and land use planning," Long added. "That’s done at the local level.”

Long made his remarks during a panel discussion, which was part of Infrastructure Week—an annual program that involves industry groups, state and local government associations and nonprofits.

Austin, Texas Mayor Steve Adler was also on the panel. Route Fifty asked afterwards if he agreed with the administrator's sentiment about local governments taking the lead on resiliency efforts.

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