This topic first surfaced in June at the Higher Education Conference at FEMA’s Training Academy. The opposition was almost immediate. It has been spearheaded by Carol Cwiak and Samantha Montano.

See this posting for details and suggestions for action:

Post from Carol:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carol-cwiak-20652410_emergencymanagement-fema-professionalization-activity-7234216073707802625-pKGx?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

And this is the blog post from Samantha she is talking about
https://disasterology.substack.com/p/disasterology-june-2024

Your comments are invited.

General Accounting Office Report on Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Homeland Security (35 pp) A very detailed report.

New from the Congressional Research Service: Emergency Management in the U.S., Sharing the Costs. This document has a Unique graphic format.

From NBC News: FEMA has run out of money in the middle of hurricane season. Here’s what that means.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has run out of disaster relief funding for the second year in a row before the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season has even arrived.

The agency, which is funded by Congress, uses the disaster relief fund to aid state and local governments in preparing and recovering from natural disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes. The DRF also provides financial assistance for the Individuals and Households Program which helps eligible disaster survivors with funding for temporary housing and other disaster-related expenses.

The United States has already faced 19 climate disasters this year with losses exceeding $1 billion each, according to FEMA.

From TheConversation: How back-to-back hurricanes set off a year of compounding disasters for one city − and alarm bells about risks in a warming world

From RollCall.com: Storms and wildfires swamp FEMA as disaster funds dry up
Pace of declarations and disasters prompts ‘immediate needs’ mode

From the WashPost: The Los Angeles earthquake hit a fault system that could pose a massive threat. Here’s what to know. This fault could pose a bigger risk to populated areas of the city than the notorious San Andreas fault.

“The 4.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted the Los Angeles area this week hit in the area of a fault system that could pose an even greater threat to parts of the city than the notorious San Andreas fault. The Monday quake and recent smaller earthquakes in the vicinity have placed renewed attention on the Puente Hills fault and the dangers it could bring.”

The University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center has just posted some of the main sessions from their recent conference.

From CBRCA: Does Canada need a national emergency response agency?
Questions swirl amid federal response to the Jasper wildfire

See the newly revised guide titled: Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide“

“FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that protect life and property from future disaster damage to build a more resilient nation.

FEMA has released the 2024 HMA Program and Policy Guide (HMA Guide). This release reflects policy changes and stakeholder feedback received since the 2023 HMA Guide publication.

The HMA Guide provides helpful information for prospective applicants and subapplicants from state, local, tribal and territorial governments on the application and grant processes for four hazard mitigation grant programs.”