From Taxpayer.net: Government Watchdog Dings FEMA for Staff Reductions and Lack of Planning

Earlier this month the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress’ nonpartisan investigative arm, released a new report regarding recent workforce reductions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The GAO found that these were done without using strategic workforce planning and risk leaving the agency incapable of effectively responding to disasters now and in the future.

FEMA leads the federal government’s response to disasters that overwhelm the resources and capabilities of state and local governments, including distributing federal funds, providing on-the-ground expertise and equipment, and coordinating activities between communities, states, and the federal government.

Recent disasters exemplify the need to ensure FEMA’s workforce can effectively and efficiently respond to disasters. In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Southeast less than 2 weeks apart. FEMA responded by deploying 13,500 employees—the highest number of employees deployed in the agency’s history. Wildfires in Los Angeles several months later strained FEMA’s staff capacity even further. GAO auditors found that at one point FEMA had just nine trained employees nationwide to help Los Angeles wildfire survivors file for aid.