The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we have 10 regional offices located across the country. We leverage a tremendous capacity to coordinate within the federal government to make sure America is equipped to prepare for and respond to disasters. FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters, and our core values and goals help us achieve it. (from the fema.gov website)
The current numbers may be different. According to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), there has been a loss of about a third of the workforce from mandated cuts. To make matters even worse, many who left were the most experienced workers and served in critical management positions.
According to FEMA materials, its core values are compassion, fairness, integrity and respect.
The U.S. Congress first stepped up to help citizens following disastrous events in 1803. A fire had wreaked destruction in the seaport of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Aid was provided to local merchants by suspending bond payments for a period of time to help them recover.
FEMA itself was formed by two executive orders by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. Its mission was conceived of as both emergency management and civil defense.
Ronald Reagan was President in 1988 when Congress passed the Stafford Act, which gave explicit direction for emergency management and recovery from disasters and tied it to Presidential disaster declarations.
In 2002, President George W. Bush signed Congress’ Homeland Security Act, which called for a combination of FEMA and 21 other organizations under the new Department of Homeland Security. It demonstrated a recognition that natural disasters and acts of terrorism both pose a dire threat to the nation.
Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy both stretched FEMA’s capabilities and importance. In 2017, Congress enacted the Disaster Recovery Act of 2018 which provided FEMA with expanded authority and resources to develop “a culture of preparedness…(and) commitment to increasing investments in mitigation and building the capabilities of state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. “ (from fema.gov/about/history)
It seems that FEMA’s response to the recent Texas floods has been hurt by cuts to the agency. Reports indicate delays in search and rescue operations, insufficient staffing levels, and difficulties in handling the volume of calls from affected residents. These issues have been attributed to factors like administrative burdens, cost-cutting measures, and a potential scaling back of FEMA’s role.
According to the New York Times and The Equation- Union of Concerned Scientists, FEMA search and rescue teams were reportedly deployed days after the flooding began, a significant departure from the typical response time of hours.
With climate change contributing to storms of increased intensity, and changing patterns of rainfall in particular contributing to floods, and drought, causing greater susceptibility to fire, it seems that we need FEMA even more than in the past. I urge all to write or call their state and congressional leaders to urge the restoration of FEMA’s full strength and capability.
Rev. Dr. Aline Russell
Member of Public Witness