Overview:
Former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, in front of a panel of House Democrats, voices her concern for the Trump administration's withdrawal from FEMA. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Kristi Noem prepare to shift the responsibility of disaster relief from the federal government to the states, possibly inhibiting the disaster response of FEMA. Cuts to staff both in FEMA and the agencies that work with FEMA, such as the IRS and NOAA, have raised concerns from Criswell that a major storm could damage the safety of American citizens.
As President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem prepare to withdraw from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the responses to emergencies could be affected.
In a panel hosted by House Democrats on Thursday, former FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell discussed the importance of FEMA and the negative effects of transferring the responsibility of emergency response to the states.
“FEMA has a very simple and profound mission statement: to help before, after and during disasters,” Criswell said. “But that mission is only as strong as the trust the public has in FEMA and the resources that they have to meet the moment.”
FEMA is currently being led by David Richardson, who has no prior experience in disaster management.
As the transition period goes from responsibility primarily at the federal level down to the state level, many believe there are risks.
States must build emergency funds and create infrastructure in the middle of hurricane season, which is slated to last until November.
Cuts to Federal Agencies
The cuts to FEMA are not unique. To cut federal spending, President Trump has made cuts to the workforce.
The Internal Revenue Service, which assists with FEMA during emergencies, has seen 26,000 employees being shed since Trump took office. Those employees are likely no longer available to support disaster victims.
“Do they have the staff to do that anymore? I don’t know. Not likely,” Criswell said.
“It’s about building stronger, safer communities in the first place,” Criswell said. “This kind of proactive work only occurs if we continue to fund and support FEMA. We’re talking about the future of our nation’s infrastructure.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also been the victim of cuts to spending, with hundreds of employees being fired.
The agency’s ability to respond to emergencies surrounding hurricanes and weather has been impacted by these cuts. The NOAA also works directly with FEMA.
What’s Next?
The dismantling of federal disaster response agencies means the responsibility goes to the states. Noem said governors are already being briefed on the issues that need to be coordinated.
While the transition has already begun, Noem and Trump expect the full transition to take 6-18 months. Noem believes FEMA is still ready in the short term to respond to any possible disasters that occur.
The main issue is the shortage of staffing that could affect the government’s response to major storms during storm season. If FEMA can properly manage natural disasters in the short term, Americans might not be as affected.
