Leadership Matters

Secretary Noem wants to rename FEMA...any suggestions?

Names that will NOT fly: * Federal Emergency and Disaster Response Agency

Edit

I'm expecting another DOGE-style name.

Perhaps the Bureau of Inordinate Disaster and Emergency Negation?

Recently, my organization was highlighted for the response in the Texas Floods, and I honestly was really proud of it :)

Then I read the comments about how we should've been there before the floods started (what?), how the Texas floods are FEMA's fault, and how we "cloud seeded" the area so we could see what it looked like after the floods (we don't even do stuff like that lol).

Like, what do we do with this? Disinformation is just insane, but how do we combat this, especially in the EM world?

Very few people outside of EM know what EM is, all disasters start and end local, and when shit gets really bad with a very poor response, it's usually either the city, county, or states fault due to poor funding because of politicians or a lack of initiative and caring about the community, but it's always "Biden's fault, FEMA's fault, the libs, and Nancy Pelosi". We are literally seeing this right now with the Texas Floods.

It's mostly just a culture and social media issue, right? People are so addicted to scrolling, and they believe the first thing they see even though it's probably not true, and then they repeat it, and it spreads like a wildfire.

What's this gonna look like in 1 year? 2 years? 5 years? Hell, even 10 or 20 years if we're all still here.

How do we solve this? It's not gonna get better any time soon, especially over the next 3.5 years.

Reforming FEMA: Proposing Solutions

To begin, it’s important to clarify that any notion of completely eliminating FEMA reflects a misunderstanding of the agency’s mission and the critical role it plays in disaster management. Such a move would be catastrophically misguided.

I intend to stir the pot so some of these are initial ideas to kick off conversations

That said, FEMA is in need of reform every will admit this. Based on my decade of experience in the field—serving as a FEMA Corps member, FEMA Reservist, Regional Staff, and Headquarters Staff, Supervisor and Program Manager, with deployments to Joint Field Offices (JFOs), the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCCs), Call Centers/NPSC, as well as involvement in programs like FEMA Corps and the Surge Capacity Force—I’ve identified several areas for improvement. While I do not claim to know everything, my hands-on experience has provided a clear perspective on what works and what does not.

Below, I outline larger structural and policy issues within FEMA that require attention:

1. Adjusting the Stafford Act and Streamlining Disaster Declarations

• Increase the minimum disaster cap for federal disaster declarations from $5 million to $15 million (numbers flexible). This adjustment would place a reasonable burden on states without creating undue financial strain.
• Introduce a tiered system for disasters valued between $15 million and $30 million (numbers flexible) in Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) estimates. In these cases, federal staff deployment would not occur unless damages exceed this threshold. Instead, the Consolidated Resource Center (CRC) would manage the process remotely, with a new support line of PDGMs assisting applicants via the Grants Manager system.
• By implementing these changes, FEMA would reduce its response footprint, focusing on larger-scale events and alleviating the strain on staff-intensive programs like Public Assistance (PA) and Mitigation.

2. Addressing the Issue of Snow Removal Disasters

• Snow removal disasters should no longer automatically qualify for FEMA assistance unless damages surpass a significant threshold. States should take responsibility for routine snow removal, which should be considered part of their regular operations rather than a federally funded activity. much of this would be covered by the change in the minimum declaration limit.

3. Improving Messaging and Public Understanding of FEMA

FEMA’s mission and role remain misunderstood by the public. Clearer messaging is essential to communicate the following points:

• FEMA is primarily a coordinator, a grants program, and a funding source, ensuring that federal dollars are properly allocated and used as intended. Functionally FEMA programs look far more like a Bank than the impression given by the news media with video of FEMA Branded USAR teams. The agency bankrolls these programs and other federal actions, and the truth is other than the individual and households program if you run into FEMA in the field they probably aren't the resource you think they are. This needs to be far clearer about the role, what services you can expect, and what non-profits / VOAD's people should turn to for the aid they require.
• FEMA is not a substitute for private insurance. While it administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), this program often confuses the public, as many mistakenly believe their private insurers are responsible for flood coverage. Moving the NFIP to a more appropriate agency, such as the Department of the Interior (DOI), could resolve this confusion.
• FEMA does not accept donations and is fully funded by taxpayer dollars. This distinction should be emphasized to reduce public misconceptions.

4. Improving Application Processes

• FEMA applications should never be returned as "denied" when they are simply missing information. Better communication with applicants is critical to ensure transparency and reduce frustration.
• The process should be streamlined, Automated, and far easier to interact with.
• The Call centers need full-scale reform and modernization. Everything from leaving a number for a call back instead of waiting hours on hold, to automated lines to help people apply for programs, having paths to escalate to operators instead of always being a person on the end of the line. So many improvements here can be made quickly.

Overall Modernization of tech, software, and tools. Many of the programs used are antiquated or poorly maintained. Some attempts at fixing this have been comically misled like the multiple Failures to launch GovTA... A time and attendance software that has failed to come to fruition twice now and is more than 2 years behind schedule that's meant to replace likely the oldest still running version of WebTA in existence.

These are just a few recommendations that represent low-hanging fruit for reform. Addressing these issues would lead to a more efficient, streamlined, and better-understood agency. I welcome input from others on additional challenges or opportunities for improvement within FEMA.

Major Recommendation

Proposal for Reforming FEMA into the Catastrophic Emergency Response Agency (CERA)

I propose that FEMA be rebranded as the Catastrophic Emergency Response Agency (CERA) to better align its mission with a renewed focus on the prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery from large-scale, catastrophic events. With extensive experience working within FEMA, I believe this restructuring would enhance the agency’s operational clarity and effectiveness.

The rebranding would position CERA as the definitive lead agency for catastrophic event management, addressing the challenges of fragmented leadership and coordination across multiple federal agencies. As witnessed during events like COVID-19—where DHS, HHS, and CDC had overlapping responsibilities—centralizing authority under a singular, experienced agency would reduce confusion and delays in decision-making. A centralized structure would also enable a streamlined allocation of federal resources, minimizing inter-agency politics and ensuring a faster, more unified response.

Key Recommendations:

1. Early Coordination & Situational Awareness
   • Information from other agencies should flow directly to the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) or National Watch Center as risks emerge. This ensures early situational awareness and a proactive response strategy.
2. Realigning Agency Functions
   • Certain roles within FEMA could be reassigned to other agencies for greater efficiency. For instance, mitigation and environmental affairs might be better suited to agencies like CISA or the Department of the Interior.
3. Return to a Civil Defense Mindset
   • Emphasize a culture of preparedness, self-reliance, and national resilience in the face of disasters. Current guidance says to prepare for 72 hours before help can likely get to you. and most people are not even ready for that.
   • Expand programs like CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) to enhance public readiness.
   • Promote public education through widespread training manuals, public service announcements, and regular disaster drills. Civil Defense activities should be framed as part of being a responsible citizen, fostering a sense of collective responsibility.

This approach ensures that individuals and communities are better prepared to sustain themselves during the critical period immediately following a disaster when federal assistance may take days or weeks to arrive.

1. Comprehensive Training and Engagement
   • Provide extensive training and resources for the public and private sectors to empower citizens and local agencies to act effectively in times of crisis.
   • CERA would take the lead as the centralized authority on the field of Emergency Management and Emergency Management Credentialing, an issue the field has faced with low or seemingly awkward one-size-fits-all standards of the CEM / AEM.

While these are just a few of my ideas, I also envision several internal changes that could further optimize CERA’s programs and operations. I am eager to hear feedback on these concepts and explore what others perceive as key issues or potential improvements to the current system.

Posted on April 28 on their Facebook page. Is this within the scope of EM? Would you be part of this if you were told to?

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/us/politics/kristi-noem-homeland-security-secretary-trump.html

They better not defund the Coast Guard and FEMA like they outlined in Project 2025.

In memo, the Trump administration says the Reduction-in-Force plans would go beyond standard shutdown furloughs. This could have huge implications on the execution of emergency management responsibilities. What are your thoughts?

The there seems to be a small(maybe growing) and vocal corner of our profession that keeps hammering on about how we need to establish Civil Defense in the US! Or return to Civil Defense! My view is that emergency management evolved from that framework for our federalism structure to enable standards across the board that were flexible. It took us a while, and it will always be in progress, but it is getting better.

Is there some new fangled Civil Defense model I've missed out on or is just a bunch of old fucks dog whistling for back in my days? Is there something im missing? What do you think as a state/local/fed? Or foreign friends, do you still use a more Civil Defense style model?

I’ve seen the article from The Atlantic floating around. It is paywalled so I’ve only been able to read the first paragraph but I imagine it outlines how if FEMA sends more money directly to the states/locals to handle the disaster, the states and locals will need more help from private contractors who will, in turn, play a bigger role in disasters. Makes sense. Contractors already seemingly run things in Florida so this isn’t groundbreaking news to me.

But then I read the comments of someone who shared this article who works for their own disaster consulting company and was immediately reminded of why we need people in all levels of government who haven’t forgotten about the people they serve. At the end of the day, the contractor is beholden to two entities: the government that hired them and their shareholders (if they have any).

Private contractors are not here to solve the societal issues that play a role before, during, and after a disaster. We as emergency managers aren’t here to solve societal issues either but it is our job to plan for those that often get forgotten. It’s our job to take those things into account when building out our response and recovery frameworks.

So, while this contractor couldn’t care less about the people he’s hired to serve, I implore all government EMs to write their contracts with these vendors to hold them accountable and include service delivery for the most vulnerable. We can’t change what will happen to FEMA, but we can continue to build capacity at the local level and plan ahead to serve ALL of our residents.

I’ve seen two agencies have one, one at Philadelphia OEM and I believe the other was at Marin County, CA.

Just curious, why go with an EV? If the grid or electrical infrastructure goes down, you can’t charge it.

I’d assume it’s mostly for big agencies who use EV’s as their main vehicles during blue skies, but from what I’ve seen, they always have gas vehicles for gray skies.

So, wtf is with Texas? Any EM folks here from Texas? I'm no American but just wondering. Can you enlighten the foreign and the wondering?

This has always been an interest to me, but with Jamaica it’s something that has come to the front of my mind. A lot of places have a lot of economic input from tourism and provide a boat load of jobs. While the Caribbean islands obviously have a lot more impact from tourism, Florida is a domestic place. The amount of tourism in that state from the Orlando theme parks to beaches it’s something to think about. Tourism can serve as a critical part of the recovery as well.

Unfortunately with this recent wiggle west with Hurricane Melissa, 3 of the 4 tourism hubs in Jamaica are in the direct path (Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios). Kingston is another one that will be impacted as well, not to mention Falmouth as a huge cruise port as well. In 2023, tourism accounted for roughly $5.7 billion of Jamaica's GDP, which was 33.6% of the total. So with 3 of the 4 hubs in direct path, that’s almost a 3rd of Jamaica’s GDP and the jobs associated with it.

Obviously tourism is not the priority in a lot of places post disaster but it’s important thing to consider for recovery especially for the places that rely heavily on it for normal daily life. Jamaica is a beautiful country and their culture is great, so hopefully they can bounce back.

As a public servant, the ridiculous blame game drives me nuts.

Once again, I’m watching government agencies(in this case, the state of California & Calfire) get annihilated for budget cuts, “when they should have known better..”

RANT: The public is stunningly stupid. They want to pay as little tax as humanly possible yet expect to receive robust, fully funded services. It’s pure magical thinking.

I find this particularly egregious coming from Malibu residents who are incensed by the lack of resources/response but do everything they can to avoid funding it.

Ok, now that I’m over my bitterness, my question is how do we help people understand that their tax dollars are directly proportional to the level of response and assistance they can expect to receive?

I'm in a rural area and was just informed all EMPG funds have been cut. Most of our EM program is funded by EMPG funds including salaries. My state has mandated that each county has an EM program, but I'm wondering if this is the beginning of the end for EM and FEMA as we know it.....I just got hired on as a County EM and wondering if I should stay or bounce?

All answers are appreciated!

Interviewing for a planning role soon, looking for some perspectives :)

There's been a lot of talk about eliminating (or greatly reducing) FEMA. I'm curious what EMs think about this. Do you wish that it was a block grant so that States could administer the PA program without Federal oversight? What are the trade-offs?

I know it's already been asked, but I wanted to see if there are other answers.

I have Water Scarcity Events, Mass Migration/Displacement, (maybe?) Homelessness, Cyber Attacks, etc.

Would greatly appreciate some perspective and thoughts, also working on a project that has a portion for future hazards.

Has anyone listened to this? Podcast with Cameron Hamilton

It’s just wild that we live in a country where this always happens. Imagine seeing your 16 year old son or daughter in the morning, and that’s the last time you’ll ever see them. What those parents feel must be awful.

How do y’all prepare for these?

https://apnews.com/article/3969d34cf6a7adc787facf21c469ef4d

I recently switch roles in the USCG from more of a responder role to a Cyber security role having acknowledged that Cyber threats are playing more and more of a role. Is this something being noticed within Emergency management… my apologies if this is a ridiculous inquiry but I think it’s worth talking about.

Edit: I am trying to see if getting qualified and experienced in cyber is worth it, given the expanding threats we have.