‘Closing the chapter’ on Fema: Trump panel seeks to weaken disaster response amid climate crisis
Council’s plan will leave Federal Emergency Management Agency ill-equipped to respond to extreme weather events, experts say
TL;DR
- A Fema Review Council, appointed by Donald Trump, recommends a fundamental overhaul of the agency, aiming to reduce federal disaster spending and push responsibility to states and local governments.
- The council's report, titled 'Disaster response should be locally executed, state or locally managed, and federally supported,' suggests Fema should play a more supportive role.
- Experts warn that these proposed changes could weaken the US's ability to handle increasing extreme weather events driven by the climate crisis, noting the report's minimal focus on climate change.
- The recommendations include requiring states to meet higher thresholds for disaster declarations, leaving evacuation and shelter to local levels, and capping payouts to homeowners.
- Fema has already experienced significant staff reductions and funding cuts under the Trump administration, leading to concerns about its current capacity to respond to disasters.