Future of FEMA: Perspectives from the Emergency Management Community

Summary

The Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Management Technology convened its first hearing of the 119th Congress to assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) current role, expanding mission set, stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and coordination with state and local governments in disaster recovery and response . The discussion highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, emphasizing the critical need for an effective and resilient emergency management system .

Themes

FEMA's Expanding Mission and Resource Strain

FEMA's mission has significantly expanded beyond its traditional role of preparing for and responding to disasters . This includes tasks such as assisting with unaccompanied alien children (UACs) from the southwest border, supporting Afghan refugee resettlement, and administering funds for humanitarian relief efforts for migrants . Concerns were raised that this "mission creep" may be exhausting the agency's resources and workforce, potentially hindering its ability to effectively complete its core mission . Some members advocated for FEMA to return to its primary disaster response function, divesting from non-core activities like housing and immigration assistance .

Calls for FEMA Reform and Efficiency

There is a widespread call for reform within FEMA to enhance efficiency and better support those on the ground and disaster survivors [ 00:32:33-00:32:38 ]

. President Trump's executive order to establish a FEMA review council to propose reforms was applauded [ 00:32:42 ] . Suggested improvements include adjusting funding, redefining and streamlining priorities, and taking a holistic look at redesigning the emergency management system . Specific issues, such as the mishandling of $4.8 million in COVID-19 funeral assistance funds, underscored the need for better stewardship [ 00:34:02-00:34:14 ] . Structural changes, like making FEMA an independent agency outside of the Department of Homeland Security, were also discussed as a way to improve efficiency and operational capabilities [ 00:34:50-00:35:08 ] .

Importance of State/Local Capacity and Burden Sharing

Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery are fundamentally local endeavors, requiring strong coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local entities . States are seen as critical to successful operations, and it was suggested that a state emergency management director should be part of the FEMA review council . States like Alabama have successfully piloted state-managed disasters, demonstrating that such approaches can be more efficient and reserve FEMA's resources for catastrophic events . The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) was highlighted as a proven framework for state-to-state mutual aid, which can reduce reliance on federal resources .

Workforce Morale and Funding Challenges

Concerns were voiced regarding perceived "attacks" on FEMA, including the firing of over 200 employees and the departure of 800 more, which is seen as reckless and undermining disaster response [ 00:41:42-00:42:01 ]

. The indiscriminate firings and funding freezes are believed to have a detrimental effect on FEMA's morale, operational capacity, and ability to fulfill its mission . Speakers noted that funding cuts to FEMA grants would negatively impact state readiness and operational capabilities [ 01:13:04-01:13:12 ] . A significant increase in supplemental funding allocated to FEMA in recent years, reaching 50% last year, also raised questions about the agency's growth and efficiency [ 01:19:06-01:19:18 ] .

Resilience and Mitigation

FEMA's role was envisioned as not merely a federal "ATM" but rather the nation's risk manager, with a focus on pre-disaster preparedness, mitigation, and insurance . Hazard mitigation programs are crucial for long-term risk reduction, offering a $6 return for every $1 spent . The Public Assistance Program was criticized for potentially disincentivizing resilience by acting as a de facto insurance policy, while programs like Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) were praised for encouraging proactive measures . The private sector, particularly finance, insurance, and real estate, was encouraged to incentivize resilience investments .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was largely concerned and urgent, reflecting the speakers' deep worries about FEMA's current state and its capacity to handle increasingly frequent and severe disasters [ 00:41:42 ]

. While critical of FEMA's shortcomings and some administrative actions, there was also an underlying appreciation for the agency's vital role in past disaster responses [ 00:32:20 ] . The discussions were primarily reform-oriented, with various stakeholders proposing specific changes to improve FEMA's efficiency and effectiveness [ 00:32:52 ] . Despite some partisan critiques regarding specific policy decisions, there was a general call for collaborative, bipartisan solutions to strengthen the nation's emergency management system .