Israeli Defense Forces Commander Major General Golan and FEMA Administrator to Co-Chair Emergency Management Workgroup

Why are there so many FEMA exercises lately, especially ones where we are working in connection with foreign nations? If it's not the NLE 09 drills, then there are drills and groups like below:

The top Federal Emergency Management Agency official met with Major General Yair Golan, commander of the Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command, in Washington, DC last week as part of an effort to create a working relationship with Israel by sharing information on the emergency management practices of both nations, according to a Homeland Security Department report to police and law enforcement organizations including the 14,000-member National Association of Chiefs of Police

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and General Golan now serve as co-chairs of an emergency management workgroup designed to discuss problems and issues and to exchange information on a variety of topics such as long-term community recovery, exercise programs, emergency and disaster policies and procedures, terrorism and other subjects.

Source: Examiner.com