Future of FEMA – Preparedness or Politics?

Throughout its history, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been subjected to periods of criticism – notably, its response to Hurricane Katrina – sprinkled with peaks of praise – notably, its handling of Hurricane Sandy. As currently articulated, FEMA’s primary purpose is to better prepare states and local entities to respond to disasters by mitigating the consequences of those disasters and helping to start the recovery process. If first responders cannot adequately handle a situation, then federal operational assistance led by FEMA would come into play. FEMA is now on the proper path toward meeting realistic expectations of its role as the federal agency in charge of leading and coordinating efforts to ensure that the nation is well prepared to cope with natural disasters, accidents, and terrorist attacks. However, political forces have always buffeted FEMA. Within the politically charged atmosphere of the forthcoming presidential election, questions of whether FEMA should once again become independent are emerging, with hints of the more extreme suggestion that the agency be abolished. FEMA’s goal of continuing to effectively meet its disaster relief responsibilities can be reached only if political influences are not allowed to complicate and perhaps even halt its progress.