Should the United States government decide to disestablish FEMA or significantly reduce its funding, the implications for disaster response and recovery would be profound. FEMA is a cornerstone of the nation’s emergency management system, responsible for coordinating, funding, and leading response efforts during disasters. Without FEMA, the burden of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation would shift almost entirely to state governments, often without the financial or logistical support that FEMA currently provides. This guide is intended to assist governors and state leadership in crafting comprehensive resilience strategies to address this potential reality.
FEMA’s Role in Disaster Management
FEMA’s contributions to disaster response are expansive and multifaceted. The agency provides essential services that would have to be assumed by states or other entities if FEMA were dissolved. These services include:
- Coordinating Federal Response: FEMA serves as the primary entity that unites federal, state, and local resources during emergencies. It orchestrates the deployment of personnel, equipment, and funding across agencies and jurisdictions.
- Disaster Funding: FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) programs allocate billions of dollars to rebuild infrastructure, assist disaster survivors, and support community recovery efforts.
- Emergency Preparedness and Training: FEMA offers training programs for first responders, emergency managers, and government officials, ensuring that states and localities are prepared for various disasters.
- Logistics and Resource Deployment: FEMA operates logistical hubs to pre-position critical supplies, such as water, food, and medical equipment, for rapid deployment to disaster zones.
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): FEMA manages the NFIP, providing insurance coverage for flood damage and reducing financial burdens on individuals and communities.
- Mitigation Grants and Programs: FEMA administers grants for hazard mitigation to reduce the long-term risks of disasters, such as retrofitting infrastructure or purchasing flood-prone properties.
- Incident Management Teams (IMTs): These teams support state and local governments in disaster response, offering expertise and manpower in managing complex incidents.
Existing State-Level Coordination in Mutual Aid
States already engage in significant levels of coordination through mutual aid agreements and regional collaborations. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), for example, facilitates the sharing of resources, personnel, and expertise across state lines. However, without FEMA to provide overarching coordination and federal support, states will face challenges in:
- Prioritizing resources during multistate disasters.
- Ensuring equitable distribution of aid.
- Avoiding duplication of effort or resource shortages.
Protectorates and territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will also face unique challenges due to their geographic isolation and limited local resources. States must account for these non-state governance entities in their planning, recognizing their reliance on external support during major disasters.
Responsibilities States Would Assume
If FEMA were disbanded, states would need to assume these functions, many of which currently fall outside their typical scope. States must prepare to:
- Develop and maintain their own comprehensive disaster response and recovery plans.
- Establish state-level logistical hubs and supply chains for pre-positioning and deploying critical resources.
- Fund disaster response and recovery independently or through state-specific programs.
- Create and administer insurance programs analogous to the NFIP.
- Invest in extensive training programs for emergency personnel.
- Establish inter-state agreements for mutual aid, particularly for large-scale or multistate disasters.
- Strengthen relationships with private-sector entities that can provide resources and expertise during emergencies.
Federal Agencies That Remain Active
The absence of FEMA would not eliminate the roles of other federal agencies that provide disaster assistance. However, without FEMA’s coordinating mechanisms, their activities might become fragmented. Key agencies include:
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Conducts search-and-rescue missions, enforces maritime safety, and provides logistical support.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): Manages water resources, conducts flood risk management, and supports infrastructure restoration.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): This agency oversees public health responses and disease control during disasters. It may also be cut back or disbanded.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): This agency coordinates medical and public health resources. It may also be cut back or disbanded.
- National Guard: Provides personnel and equipment for immediate response efforts under state control.
- American Red Cross and Other NGOs: Offers shelter, food, and emotional support to disaster survivors.
- Department of Transportation (DOT): Ensures the restoration of transportation infrastructure.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): This agency addresses hazardous materials and environmental hazards. It may be significantly cut back or curtailed.
- Small Business Administration (SBA): Provides low-interest loans for disaster recovery.
- Others as needed.
Multistate Disaster Management and Coordination
In large-scale disasters that span multiple states—such as hurricanes or wildfires—the absence of FEMA’s coordinating role could create significant challenges. States within the disaster zone may be overwhelmed and unable to manage broader coordination. To address this, governors should consider the following strategies:
- Establish a Third-Party Coordination Entity: States could jointly fund and staff a regional disaster management organization. This entity would operate outside the immediate disaster area to provide neutral coordination and resource allocation.
- Leverage Mutual Aid Agreements: States should expand existing agreements, such as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), to ensure rapid deployment of resources and personnel across state lines.
- Engage the Private Sector: Companies with expertise in logistics, technology, and supply chain management can supplement government efforts, particularly in disaster coordination and recovery.
- Standardize Communication Protocols: States must agree on interoperable communication systems to share information and coordinate efforts efficiently during multistate disasters.
Action Items for States
Should FEMA be disestablished, states must take immediate action to prepare for the transition. Key steps include:
- Update Incident Response and Resilience Plans: Revise all disaster response plans to reflect the absence of FEMA’s coordination and funding roles. Ensure plans are comprehensive and include contingencies for multistate disasters.
- Revise Contact Lists and Communication Protocols: Replace FEMA contacts with state-level or regional counterparts. Ensure all stakeholders are aware of updated protocols.
- Establish Hard Deadlines: Recognize the urgency of the transition, particularly with the June 1 start of hurricane season. Prioritize actions that must be completed before this critical date.
- Enhance Training and Preparedness Programs: Expand state-led training programs for emergency personnel to compensate for the loss of FEMA’s training resources.
- Secure Funding Mechanisms: Identify alternative sources of funding for disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. This may include state-level emergency funds, public-private partnerships, or new taxation measures.
- Strengthen Mutual Aid Agreements: Formalize and expand agreements with neighboring states and territories to ensure resource sharing and coordination during disasters.
- Engage Territories and Protectorates: Include entities such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in planning and coordination efforts to address their unique challenges.
Conclusion
The potential disestablishment of FEMA would present unprecedented challenges to state governments, requiring a fundamental rethinking of disaster response and recovery. Governors and state leadership must act proactively to fill the gaps left by FEMA’s absence, leveraging partnerships, building capacity, and fostering resilience at all levels. By adopting comprehensive strategies, updating plans, and enhancing coordination mechanisms, states can protect their citizens and communities, even in the absence of federal leadership in disaster management.
Note: I’m not going to argue whether this is a good idea or not. I am more interested in thinking through if something is going to happen, and then what do you do? This is just some thoughts off the top of my head this evening as I was thinking through the next hurricane season.