 Fugate inducted into National Guard Hall of Fame
By Staff Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa Florida National Guard Public Affairs JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The National Guard Association of Florida inducted Florida Director of Emergency Management William “Craig” Fugate into its Hall of Fame, during the organization’s annual state conference held in Jacksonville, June 24. Mr. Fugate was named the 2006 Inductee into the Hall of Fame during an evening banquet attended by Florida National Guard leadership and Gov. Jeb Bush. A plaque noting the distinction was presented to Mr. Fugate during the event by Commander of the Florida Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Joseph Balskus. This is the second year the prestigious award has been given; in 2005 Gov. Bush was inducted into the National Guard Association of Florida Hall of Fame. During the past two hurricane seasons Mr. Fugate and the Florida Division of Emergency Management worked closely with the Florida National Guard, successfully responding to hurricane relief efforts across the state. During an address to members of the association earlier in the day, Fugate lauded the Florida National Guard for its active participation during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, and called the State of Florida Emergency Management “one of the best teams in the nation.” “We recognize our strengths, we know our weaknesses,” he explained. “And we have built a system that maximizes our capabilities. Most importantly, one that maximizes our citizen-Soldiers.” He noted the effectiveness of the Florida National Guard in responding to a variety of emergency missions since 2001, including airport and seaport security, and response to natural disasters. Because of the Florida National Guard’s willingness to respond at a moment’s notice to provide emergency relief, “the most effective use of our taxpayers’ dollars is our citizen-Soldiers” Mr. Fugate said. Fugate oversees an agency with 132 full-time staff, and his agency coordinates disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state's 67 counties and local governments. | 
