Latest news with #U.S.FederalEmergencyManagementAgency
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FEMA senior officials exit en masse as Trump targets agency
By Ted Hesson and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the departure of 16 senior executives on Wednesday, a significant shakeup of its leadership ranks less than two weeks before the start of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season. Those leaving include MaryAnn Tierney, a 26-year emergency management veteran who until May 9 had been the agency's acting No. 2, as well as key people in finance and disaster response, according to internal emails seen by Reuters. The agency, which coordinates the federal response to natural disasters, has been roiled by the loss of hundreds of staff and low morale since finding itself targeted by President Donald Trump. Trump wants FEMA to be shrunk or even abolished, arguing that many of its functions can be carried out by the states. The changes have, however, disrupted the agency's planning for the hurricane season, stoking concern that it will be ill-equipped to deal with any disaster. The departures unveiled on Wednesday follow the abrupt firing of FEMA's then-acting administrator Cameron Hamilton earlier this month. The agency's new leader, David Richardson, has vowed to "run right over" staff who resist reforms. In emails to staff, acting FEMA chief of staff Julia Moline thanked the departing executives and announced several replacements, including the appointment of Cynthia Spishak as acting deputy administrator, the role Tierney held. FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The mass departure of senior talent represents a significant loss of institutional knowledge that will further degrade FEMA's capacity to respond to disasters, said Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff under the administrations of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Coen called Tierney, a regional administrator who has managed over 100 disaster and emergency declarations for an area that includes Pennsylvania and Delaware, a "leader of leaders" and said she "will be the most significant loss." Tierney said her decision to resign was not easy. "FEMA is not a job, it's a calling," Tierney said in a statement to Reuters. "It was a privilege to serve alongside a team of people who dedicate themselves to helping their fellow Americans on their worst day." Other departing executives include acting chief financial officer Monroe Neal; Eric Leckey, who was responsible for human resources and other management support functions; and Leiloni Stainsby, a high-ranking executive in the agency's office overseeing response and recovery operations. Forecasters have predicted a busier-than-average Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1. Representative Bennie Thompson, the senior Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee with oversight of FEMA, said in a statement that the exit of so many senior executives exacerbated his concerns about the agency. "Decimating FEMA's leadership will do nothing to help the agency prepare for the upcoming hurricane season," he said. Richardson has promised the agency will be prepared. Earlier on Wednesday, he sent a memo to staff rescinding the agency's strategic plan for 2022-2026 because it "contained objectives that bear no connection to FEMA accomplishing its mission." Richardson said in the memo that a new strategy for 2026-2030 would be developed this summer.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
FEMA senior officials exit en masse as Trump targets agency
* FEMA informs staff of departure of 16 senior executives * Departing execs include MaryAnn Tierney, recently agency No. 2 * Departures come ahead of start to hurricane season on June 1 WASHINGTON, - The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the departure of 16 senior executives on Wednesday, a significant shakeup of its leadership ranks less than two weeks before the start of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season. Those leaving include MaryAnn Tierney, a 26-year emergency management veteran who until May 9 had been the agency's acting No. 2, as well as key people in finance and disaster response, according to internal emails seen by Reuters. The agency, which coordinates the federal response to natural disasters, has been roiled by the loss of hundreds of staff and low morale since finding itself targeted by President Donald Trump. Trump wants FEMA to be shrunk or even abolished, arguing that many of its functions can be carried out by the states. The changes have, however, disrupted the agency's planning for the hurricane season, stoking concern that it will be ill-equipped to deal with any disaster. The departures unveiled on Wednesday follow the abrupt firing of FEMA's then-acting administrator Cameron Hamilton earlier this month. The agency's new leader, David Richardson, has vowed to "run right over" staff who resist reforms. In emails to staff, acting FEMA chief of staff Julia Moline thanked the departing executives and announced several replacements, including the appointment of Cynthia Spishak as acting deputy administrator, the role Tierney held. FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The mass departure of senior talent represents a significant loss of institutional knowledge that will further degrade FEMA's capacity to respond to disasters, said Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff under the administrations of former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Coen called Tierney, a regional administrator who has managed over 100 disaster and emergency declarations for an area that includes Pennsylvania and Delaware, a "leader of leaders" and said she "will be the most significant loss." Tierney said her decision to resign was not easy. "FEMA is not a job, it's a calling," Tierney said in a statement to Reuters. "It was a privilege to serve alongside a team of people who dedicate themselves to helping their fellow Americans on their worst day." Other departing executives include acting chief financial officer Monroe Neal; Eric Leckey, who was responsible for human resources and other management support functions; and Leiloni Stainsby, a high-ranking executive in the agency's office overseeing response and recovery operations. Forecasters have predicted a busier-than-average Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1. Representative Bennie Thompson, the senior Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee with oversight of FEMA, said in a statement that the exit of so many senior executives exacerbated his concerns about the agency. "Decimating FEMA's leadership will do nothing to help the agency prepare for the upcoming hurricane season," he said. Richardson has promised the agency will be prepared. Earlier on Wednesday, he sent a memo to staff rescinding the agency's strategic plan for 2022-2026 because it "contained objectives that bear no connection to FEMA accomplishing its mission." Richardson said in the memo that a new strategy for 2026-2030 would be developed this summer.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FEMA cancels in-person National Fire Academy classes in Emmitsburg, disrupting travel, training
On Friday night, Frank Davis, the mayor of Emmitsburg, received a phone call from an employee of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. The call was to let Davis know that FEMA was canceling all in-person classes at the National Fire Academy on Seton Drive, effective immediately. The academy, which opened in 1974, offers free specialized courses and advanced management programs to thousands of people across the country. Its classes are on its Emmitsburg campus, off-campus across the U.S., and online. Davis, a retired federal fire chief, said he was told on Friday that students at the campus would be sent home the next day. 'Unfortunately, I wasn't totally surprised. With the happenings all across the nation, I figured that we would be affected in some way,' he said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. 'I was hoping they'd forget about us, but they didn't. ... I was just hoping that it's very short-lived.' On Friday, FEMA sent an email to instructors and students that all in-person classes are canceled, but some virtual classes would continue, according to The Washington Post. FEMA sent another email to instructors saying that virtual classes that don't have an instructor and that don't need funds will continue. Davis said he's still trying to get a copy of the cancellation email. He said the FEMA employee he spoke to indicated the agency planned on keeping the classes suspended for several weeks. When The Frederick News-Post called the number listed online for the academy's superintendent on Monday, the voicemail message said the suspension of classes is 'legitimate,' any travel plans for those courses should be canceled, and further information will be forthcoming. On Feb. 20, reported that an annual Women in Fire training seminar slated for May 17 and 18 in Emmitsburg was canceled. FEMA's decision to suspend in-person classes comes amidst executive orders from the Trump administration aiming to dramatically cut down the federal workforce and federal spending. President Donald Trump has said he wants to get rid of FEMA and ordered in January the creation of a council to evaluate the agency. The executive order alleges the agency is inefficient, and there is 'political bias.' FEMA did not respond to requests for comment Monday about the cancellations and when the courses may resume. The National Fire Academy's courses cover topics such as fire investigation, hazardous materials, various areas of fire prevention, emergency medical services and emergency responses to terrorism. In fiscal year 2021, the academy trained over 98,700 students through more than 2,200 courses, according to the academy's website. As of Monday afternoon, the course catalog website showed that some on-campus and off-campus class sessions had been canceled, but not every course was marked as canceled. None of the online classes was marked as canceled. Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Fire Chief Tom Coe said Monday afternoon that DFRS members registered for courses had not received cancellation emails. He said they suspect their classes may be scheduled far out enough that they haven't been canceled yet. U.S. Fire Administration spokesperson Teresa Neal did not respond to requests for comment Monday asking how many courses were canceled and how many are continuing. Bill Delaney, a spokesperson for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, did not respond to requests for comment on whether the course cancellations would impact the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend events in May. Marc Bashoor, a former fire chief in Maryland and emergency services director in West Virginia, told The Associated Press that the National Fire Academy isn't a luxury, but a necessity. He said the academy was about to welcome a new set of fire safety officers for training. 'It is the one avenue we have to bring people from all over the country to learn from and with each other,' Bashoor said. 'If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.' Davis echoed Bashoor's sentiments — he said the academy's courses are 'some of the top training for the national fire leaders from all across the country.' He said he was trained through the academy, and that training helped him have a successful fire service career. He said that if the suspension is short-term, there likely won't be significant consequences, but a long-term suspension could notably impact 'the nation's fire service.' For fire prevention professionals, it could impact their career development and their chances to move into higher professional roles. For volunteers, participating in academy courses may be the only training they receive. Davis also said the academy 'employs so many people, and the business communities would be affected in such a negative way.' 'Even the town would be affected because the academy is one of our largest water consumers, so that would affect the income to the town itself,' he said. Davis said he reached out to state and federal elected officials asking them to keep the town informed of any updates. U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney released a statement on Monday calling on FEMA to reverse the cancellations. 'From wildfires in California to residential structure fires in communities across the nation, my constituents and all Americans face an ongoing and dangerous threat to life and property,' she said in the statement. 'The Trump administration's order to pause lifesaving training in Emmitsburg not only flies in the face of a judge's most recent demand to resume all federal spending, but also weakens the level of preparedness for our first responders across the nation.'
The Hill
07-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promises help in her first visit to Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged Thursday to help Puerto Rico in her first visit to the U.S. territory as it struggles to rebuild from catastrophic hurricanes amid chronic power outages. Noem spoke briefly with reporters during her one-day trip to the island, saying she would look into how the federal government can cut some of the permitting and requirements of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency 'to make sure that people are going to get the help that they need and that they were promised.' FEMA has been funding much of the reconstruction after Hurricane Maria slammed into the island as a Category 4 storm in September 2017, but Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González recently criticized the agency, saying it has not yet released $18 billion slated for the power grid that was razed. Noem said that she and González talked 'extensively' about energy and how the federal government could help streamline efforts to update energy sources on the island. She did not provide further details and did not take questions from the press. Under the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Energy invested millions of dollars in solar projects across Puerto Rico, generating more than 1,200 megawatts of new renewable capacity. Some $6 billion in federal funds have been obligated to help rebuild the power grid, with FEMA approving 200 of more than 440 projects submitted to the agency to repair and strengthen the grid. Of those approved, at least 125 are under construction. González, who is a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, said she and Noem also talked about ways to strengthen Puerto Rico's border security, and how the island can beef up relations with federal security agencies. 'We want to dismantle all those criminal organizations hitting our shores,' González said, adding that Noem's visit 'demonstrates how important Puerto Rico is in this fight.' Noem traveled to Puerto Rico for a ceremony honoring Michel O. Maceda, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was killed in November 2022 during a shootout at sea with suspected drug traffickers. Three other agents were wounded. Her visit comes weeks after federal agents in Puerto Rico began arresting people believed to be undocumented immigrants, a move that has been widely criticized on the island. Noem said González is willing to build partnerships with the federal government 'not only for the betterment of her people, but also for the United States of America. The mission of the Department of Homeland Security is to protect the American homeland, but to do it with integrity and honor as well.' González met with Noem days after traveling to Washington D.C. to push for U.S. statehood, a central goal of her New Progressive Party.
Washington Post
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem promises help in her first visit to Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged Thursday to help Puerto Rico in her first visit to the U.S. territory as it struggles to rebuild from catastrophic hurricanes amid chronic power outages . Noem spoke briefly with reporters during her one-day trip to the island, saying she would look into how the federal government can cut some of the permitting and requirements of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency 'to make sure that people are going to get the help that they need and that they were promised.' FEMA has been funding much of the reconstruction after Hurricane Maria slammed into the island as a Category 4 storm in September 2017, but Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González recently criticized the agency, saying it has not yet released $18 billion slated for the power grid that was razed. Noem said that she and González talked 'extensively' about energy and how the federal government could help streamline efforts to update energy sources on the island. She did not provide further details and did not take questions from the press. Under the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Energy invested millions of dollars in solar projects across Puerto Rico, generating more than 1,200 megawatts of new renewable capacity. Some $6 billion in federal funds have been obligated to help rebuild the power grid , with FEMA approving 200 of more than 440 projects submitted to the agency to repair and strengthen the grid. Of those approved, at least 125 are under construction. González, who is a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, said she and Noem also talked about ways to strengthen Puerto Rico's border security, and how the island can beef up relations with federal security agencies. 'We want to dismantle all those criminal organizations hitting our shores,' González said, adding that Noem's visit 'demonstrates how important Puerto Rico is in this fight.' Noem traveled to Puerto Rico for a ceremony honoring Michel O. Maceda, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent who was killed in November 2022 during a shootout at sea with suspected drug traffickers. Three other agents were wounded. Her visit comes weeks after federal agents in Puerto Rico began arresting people believed to be undocumented immigrants, a move that has been widely criticized on the island. Noem said González is willing to build partnerships with the federal government 'not only for the betterment of her people, but also for the United States of America. The mission of the Department of Homeland Security is to protect the American homeland, but to do it with integrity and honor as well.' González met with Noem days after traveling to Washington D.C. to push for U.S. statehood , a central goal of her New Progressive Party.
