FEMA chief says states must handle most disasters on their own
FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton said states must build up cash reserves and their own skills to handle most disasters without federal help, according to Politico. He spoke Tuesday to state disaster chiefs at a private event in Arkansas. A FEMA report found that many state offices lack staff and money.
FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton said states must handle most disasters on their own, according to Politico. He said they need bigger financial reserves and stronger emergency capabilities. He spoke Tuesday to state disaster leaders at a private conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Politico got a recording of the speech.
"Every state must have the appropriate financial reserves" so recovery can start right away, Hamilton said. He said recovery should "not necessarily be held up simply because of the federal [disaster] declaration process."
Hamilton said changes could begin "in the next six months," Politico reported. He described a plan for "national mutual aid," in which states would help each other recover. He also said FEMA would seek to waive some federal reviews of rebuilding projects.
Hamilton argued that states could start cleanup and repairs "much faster" on their own. Applying for federal aid can take weeks or months. "Federal dollars should be building greater capability, not creating greater dependency," he said.
Others warn that many states lack the money. A FEMA report released Friday found that state disaster agencies "are typically understaffed and underfunded," Politico reported. Many rely heavily on federal funds.
Eric Holdeman once ran disaster planning in King County, Washington. He wrote on LinkedIn on Monday, responding to an earlier Hamilton memo, that some states have "slim rainy-day funds." He wrote that they cannot make up for lost federal aid.
President Donald Trump threatened to abolish FEMA early in his current term, Politico reported. The White House has not announced any changes. It has kept approving disaster aid. FEMA did not immediately respond to Politico's request for comment.
What we know: Hamilton says states should handle most disasters themselves, with changes possibly starting within six months.
What we don't: How states with small reserves would pay for recovery. Only Politico has reported this so far; NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.
Where outlets agree The details come from Politico's report, based on a recording of Hamilton's speech, which also cites a FEMA report and an outside emergency management expert.
Where they differ Hamilton says states could recover "much faster" without waiting on federal declarations, while Eric Holdeman wrote that many states have slim reserves, and FEMA did not respond to Politico.