CNN has hired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore as an Emergency Preparedness Contributor for all shows. Honore is best known for his role as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

"Everyone needs to be prepared for unexpected and uncontrollable events, and CNN is an ideal platform to inform and educate," said Honore in a press release, which you can read after the jump.

Lt. Gen. Honore Joins CNN as Emergency Preparedness Contributor

Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, best known for his service as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, has joined CNN as the emergency preparedness contributor to CNN Worldwide, it was announced by Nancy Lane, senior vice president of newsgathering for CNN/U.S. He appeared on CNN most recently amid the network's coverage of Hurricane Ike.

In this role, Honore lends his expertise and inside knowledge while assessing government efforts amid crises and recovery efforts. Through his reports and assistance, CNN will continue to keep government officials accountable in those situations.

He also contributes his expertise on disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities to CNN's leading reports throughout the hurricane season and other potential crisis situations. His reports appear across CNN's numerous networks and services including CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com, CNN.com Live, CNN Radio and CNN Newsource. They provide viewers with practical tips for preparing for and surviving disasters as well as keep government officials and agencies honest when it comes to dealing with large disasters and crisis's.

"General Honore brings to CNN's global audience an intimate knowledge of managing crises and executing emergency preparedness," Lane said. "After Katrina, the general was universally viewed as a hero, and our viewers will no doubt trust and connect with him as he contributes to our up-to-the-minute coverage."

As commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré led the Department of Defense’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, which included the operations of more than 22,000 military personnel, 200 aircraft and 20 ships.

Additionally, as vice director for operations for the Joint Staff and as commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command, Honoré’s focused his work on defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense. For four of the past six hurricane seasons, he supported the Department of Defense’s planning and response for hurricanes on domestic and international soil.

"I'm delighted to be able to join CNN and take advantage of the network's vast resources and services and be able to address the audience in those areas affected," Honore said. "Everyone needs to be prepared for unexpected and uncontrollable events, and CNN is an ideal platform to inform and educate."

In a previous role as commander of First Army - the command responsible for mobilizing and training National Guard and Reserve troops - Honore oversaw the training and deployment of more than 500,000 military personnel across all services. This effort comprised the largest military deployment since World War II and focused on the Army's combat medical capability, as well as the overall medical readiness of all personnel mobilized in support of operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.
After retiring from the Army earlier this year with 37 years of active service, Honore now speaks and consults nationally about emergency preparedness.

A native of Lakeland, La., Honore was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry after earning his bachelor's degree in vocational agriculture from Southern University and A&M College. He also holds a master’s degree in human resources from Troy State University and honorary doctorates from Southern University and A&M College and Stillman College.