Trump Directs Disaster Preparedness to State and Local Authorities
The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday, aiming to transfer disaster preparedness responsibilities from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to state and local governments. This move is part of a broader effort to reform FEMA's operations.
The order, which was initially revealed by the White House on March 10, mandates a comprehensive review of infrastructure, continuity, and preparedness policies to modernize and streamline federal strategies. It emphasizes the importance of state and local governments making "common sense" investments to mitigate risks such as wildfires, hurricanes, and cyber threats, though it does not specify the nature or funding of these investments.
According to the order, effective preparedness is best managed at the state, local, and individual levels, with federal support being competent, accessible, and efficient. Empowering states to make informed infrastructure decisions is said to benefit taxpayers.
The order also calls for a revision of critical infrastructure policies to focus on specific assessed risks rather than a broad "all-hazards approach." A "National Risk Register" will be established to identify and evaluate risks to national infrastructure, aiming to simplify federal processes and enhance collaboration between states and the federal government.
Earlier in January, Trump initiated a review of FEMA, stopping short of dismantling the agency. A White House official clarified that the new order is not intended to close FEMA.
Rob Moore, director of the flooding solutions team at the Natural Resources Defense Council, criticized the administration for weakening the nation's disaster readiness. He pointed out the reduction of 1,000 FEMA staff and the withholding of funds from local and state governments engaged in risk reduction projects.
Shana Udvardy, a senior researcher at the Union of Concerned Scientists, expressed concern that the order represents a "dangerous step" that could leave communities with fewer resources for disaster preparation. She noted that the executive order shifts most disaster preparedness responsibilities to state and local governments, requiring them to make costly infrastructure investments without clearly defining the federal government's role.