As the Trump Administration begins its efforts to reform the nation’s homeland security framework and makes changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Fire Chief Josh Waldo, the IAFC President and Board Chair, established a task force to provide recommendations on how the administration’s efforts can meet the needs of local fire and emergency departments.
On January 24, President Trump issued his Executive Order 14180, Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The order created a council to conduct a “full-scale” review of FEMA. The council would have no more than 20 members and be chaired by the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security. The council will hold its first meeting on May 20. The council is directed to submit its final report 180 days after the council’s first public meeting.
Furthermore, on March 18, President Trump issued Executive Order 14239, Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness. This order revises the whole homeland security framework. It requires the development of a National Resilience Strategy within 90 days. It also develops a National Critical Infrastructure Policy, which shifts the focus from “all-hazards response” to “risk-based response.” The Administration will develop a National Risk Register within 240 days. In addition, the Trump Administration will revise the founding documents and other national preparedness and response policies of the homeland security framework (HSPD-5, PPD-8) within 240 days. Within one year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tasked with revising the Emergency Support Functions and other FEMA policies.
The federal transition from all-hazards response to a risk-based response and the potential elimination of FEMA could have major effects on the fire and emergency service. Chief Waldo appointed Chief Jim Schwartz (Ret.), the former fire chief of the Arlington County (VA) Fire Department and former chair of the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee, to lead a 10-person task force to review the Administration’s plans. The task force also will provide input to the FEMA Review Council and other Trump Administration efforts to change the homeland security system.
The scope of the task force is to answer the following questions:
- What recommendations does the IAFC have for reforming or reorganizing FEMA?
- How can FEMA’s operations be improved to meet the needs of local fire departments?
- What recommendations does the IAFC have for revising the homeland security framework?
- What are the key components of HSPD-5; PPD-8, and other homeland security documents that the IAFC thinks should be changed or maintained?
- How should DHS revise the ESFs, National Essential Functions, Primary Mission Essential Functions, and other policies?
- As the Trump Administration transitions from a focus on all-hazards response to risk response, how will that affect local fire and EMS agencies?
- How will grant programs or training at the National Fire Academy be affected?
- What steps can the IAFC and local fire and EMS departments take as the Trump Administration continues to make radical changes to the U.S. government?
- How will the Trump Administration’s policies affect all-hazards response, like hazmat and wildland fire response?
The IAFC DHS/FEMA Reform Task Force will update the IAFC membership on developments in Washington.