Today, the IAFC released its white paper about reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The report includes recommendations for the federal FEMA Review Council, which was created by President Trump’s Executive Order 14180, Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Chief Josh Waldo (IAFC President, 2024-2025) created the IAFC task force to provide recommendations to the federal FEMA Review Council. As the Trump Administration proposes changes to FEMA and the nation’s homeland security framework, the task force was created to develop recommendations for reforming FEMA and improving its operations to meet the needs of local fire departments. Chaired by Fire Chief Jim Schwartz, the task force included representatives of the following IAFC components:
- EMS Section
- Metro Chiefs
- Volunteer & Combination Officers Section
- Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee
- Emergency Management Committee
- Urban Search and Rescue Committee
- Communications Committee
- Wildland Fire Policy Committee
- Hazardous Materials Committee
The task force highlighted the need for FEMA to continue to assist local fire and EMS departments as they prepare for all-hazards. Their report explains that local fire and EMS departments are the first to arrive on scene at an incident and the last to leave. FEMA’s role is to support local responders and provide resources to produce an effective response to all hazards.
The report highlights the importance of the U.S. Fire Administration through its ability to record and process data through systems like the new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) and prepare a new generation of senior leaders through the National Fire Academy. Because of the important role that EMS response plays in fire departments’ missions, the IAFC task force recommends consolidating federal EMS programs, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Emergency Medical Services, within the USFA. The report also recommends elevating the position of U.S. Fire Administrator to the role of Deputy FEMA Administrator.
In addition, the report also discusses the role that FEMA plays in response. It highlights the need to maintain the National Urban Search and Rescue System, which plays a major role in responding to disasters and national emergencies. The report also discusses the importance of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in providing a standardized controlling framework and terminology for harnessing multiple agencies and disciplines to provide an effective response. Also, the paper discusses the need to improve the national mutual aid system to improve coordination and deploy the closest available resources to an escalating disaster to save lives. Importantly, the report emphasizes the need to improve reimbursement of local agencies when they provide staffing and equipment to respond to incidents outside of their states and jurisdictions.
The report also emphasizes the need for grants like the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, including the Fire Prevention and Safety grants, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. These programs build the emergency response capabilities in local fire departments that are deployed to all hazards. The State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) programs provide investments in training, equipment, intelligence, and specialized response capabilities to help fire and EMS departments prepare for acts of terrorism. As the Trump Administration emphasizes the responsibilities of state and local governments in responding to disasters, it must fund these grant programs to fund the resources that allow local fire and EMS departments to meet this challenge.
Chief Schwartz previewed this report at a federal FEMA Reform Council listening session in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 22. This report was approved by the IAFC Board of Directors and transmitted to the federal FEMA Review Council’s staff on October 24. The IAFC will continue to advocate for the needs of local fire and EMS departments as the FEMA reform process continues.
Upon release of this IAFC report, Chief Schwartz said, “FEMA is an essential partner with fire and EMS agencies across the country before, during, and after a disaster. While much of the current discussion has been on disaster aid, we cannot ignore the crucial investment in preparedness as a major contributor to our effectiveness.”
“Fire and EMS departments are the backbone of the nation’s emergency response system. I created the IAFC DHS/FEMA Reform Task Force to make sure that local fire and EMS chiefs have a voice in the Trump Administration’s efforts to reform FEMA. I thank Chief Schwartz and the members of the task force for developing recommendations that we can take to our elected leaders in Washington,” said Fire Chief Josh Waldo, the IAFC President (2024-2025)
“As the Trump Administration considers FEMA reform, it is important that any changes they propose meet the needs of the nation’s fire and EMS departments. FEMA provides essential training and funding to local fire departments and provides NIMS as a framework for the response to national emergencies. Resources like the National US&R System and the U.S. Fire Administration must be preserved. I look forward to taking the FEMA Reform task force’s message to the Trump Administration and Congress to make sure that local fire and EMS departments voices are heard in this national dialogue,” said Fire Chief Trisha L. Wolford, the IAFC’s President and Board Chair.
Recommendations for FEMA Reform