Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, has vowed to “eliminate” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Her promise has raised concerns from disaster experts, who warn that this could put vulnerable communities in danger.
Noem recently announced plans to get rid of FEMA, but she didn’t explain what that would involve. Representatives from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, have not commented on whether the agency’s services would be completely removed or reorganized.
President Donald Trump has also said he would consider “getting rid of FEMA.”
Carrie Speranza, president of the USA Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers, expressed concern about the idea of eliminating FEMA, saying it could make the upcoming hurricane season more dangerous.
She said, “You’re talking hundreds of thousands of people that will be impacted with very little resources to help.”
FEMA provides essential support before, during, and after disasters. This includes helping communities prepare for storms, conducting search-and-rescue operations, and providing funding to rebuild after a disaster.
Pete Gaynor, who led FEMA under the Trump administration, explained that FEMA’s help is visible when the agency goes door-to-door to ensure people are registered for individual assistance. However, he noted that FEMA is involved much earlier in the disaster response process.
Gaynor argued that FEMA could be improved, but should not be eliminated. “If we’re not doing it, I’m not sure who does it,” he said, emphasizing FEMA’s role in coordinating various agencies during emergencies. “FEMA is that glue that holds it all together,” he added.
Experts warn that getting rid of FEMA could be risky, especially for states that aren’t well-prepared for disaster response. Speranza agreed, saying that without FEMA, emergency responses could be slower, which could cost lives. “If you don’t have a coordinated mechanism … then it’s going to take longer, and people are going to be perishing more,” she said, referring specifically to search-and-rescue efforts.
Gaynor also suggested that FEMA could be reformed to improve its long-term recovery efforts, including offering incentives for states to keep costs down and making them cover any extra costs, rather than the federal government.
Before Noem’s comments, Trump signed an executive order asking the Homeland Security Secretary to propose changes to FEMA. The order called for better communication between federal, state, and local governments but did not suggest eliminating the agency.
Shana Udvardy, a climate resilience expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists, pointed out that the law passed in 2006 created FEMA as a separate agency, meaning it cannot be eliminated easily. However, she expressed concern about ongoing cuts at FEMA, including staff dismissals.
“We should take the president at his word. He says he wants to eliminate FEMA, and I think that’s a huge concern,” she said.
