ICYMI: SOS Slams Trump's FEMA Review Council Report Ahead of Hurricane Season
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump's FEMA Review Council released its long-delayed "FEMA Readiness Report," recommending a sweeping overhaul of the agency — including shifting disaster response responsibilities to states. Sabotaging Our Safety pushed back forcefully, making clear the report papers over the real damage done to FEMA under the Trump administration.
Read coverage below.
The Guardian: ‘Closing the chapter’ on Fema: Trump panel seeks to weaken disaster response amid climate crisis
"The Trump administration spent over a year dismantling FEMA piece by piece, and now their own handpicked council is endorsing the wreckage," said Rafael Lemaitre, a former director of public affairs at FEMA and an SOS advisory council member. "You cannot cut your way to a capable disaster response agency."
The New York Times: Trump Panel Calls for FEMA Overhaul
"This report ignores the real issue: If we expect FEMA to show up for families after hurricanes, floods and fires, then the Trump administration needs to stop starving the agency of qualified leadership and meaningful funding," said Rafael Lemaitre.
NOTUS: Advocacy Group Gives FEMA ‘F’ Grade Ahead of Review Council Report
The organization Sabotaging Our Safety, which is made up of disaster recovery experts and former FEMA employees, issued a report first reviewed by NOTUS that gave the agency “F” ratings for its leadership, workforce, strategic planning and hurricane preparedness.
NOTUS: FEMA Task Force Report: Disaster Relief States
Disaster advocates were skeptical that the council's findings would reflect the real issues at the agency. Sabotaging Our Safety gave FEMA failing grades for its leadership, hurricane preparedness, and workforce in its own report card ahead of the meeting.
Medill News Service / Fulcrum News: FEMA Review Council Proposes Long List of Reforms to Federal Disaster Assistance
"The agency Americans rely on when disaster strikes is measurably less prepared than at any point in recent memory," SOS said. "Slashing the workforce in half and putting the burden of disaster recovery on the states would not save money. It would cost lives."
Mississippi Today / Tippah County News: FEMA review panel urges states to take lead in disaster response
Disaster advocates expressed skepticism ahead of the council's meeting, with Sabotaging Our Safety giving FEMA failing grades for leadership, hurricane preparedness, and workforce in its own report card.
Hawaii Tribune-Herald: Trump Panel Calls for FEMA Overhaul
"This report ignores the real issue: If we expect FEMA to show up for families after hurricanes, floods and fires, then the Trump administration needs to stop starving the agency of qualified leadership and meaningful funding," said Lemaitre.
