disaster zone podcast: Examining the Changes at FEMA with Craig Fugate

“Who’s on first? What’s on second” is an old comedy routine. Today it feels similar to the situation we are in today, where we are trying to discern the future for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and we keep talking past one another. At this writing, the future is indeed uncertain. In this podcast we have a discussion with Craig Fugate, perhaps the most well-known former FEMA Administrator, having served in that role for eight years. You can listen to what his ideas are for the future of FEMA. Disaster Zone Podcast: Examining Changes at FEMA with Craig Fugate

The podcast description is below:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been predominantly in the news for many months. Most recently as both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished. More recently a 20-person council has been established to examine how best the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished. There are rumors that this council will not be constituted and indeed, no mention of its membership has been announced. This then is the topic for this podcast.

Craig Fugate the podcast guest served as President Barack Obama’s FEMA Administrator from May 2009 to January 2017. Previously, he served as Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s Emergency Management Director from 2001-2007 and Governor Charlie Crist from 2007-09.

Fugate led FEMA through multiple record-breaking disaster years and oversaw the Federal Government’s response to major events such as the Joplin and Moore Tornadoes, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Matthew, and the 2016 Louisiana flooding.

FEMA’s effectiveness in dealing with more than 500 Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies under Fugate’s leadership restored the faith of the American people in the Federal Government’s ability to respond to disasters.

Prior to his tenure at FEMA, Fugate was widely praised for his management, under Governor Jeb Bush, of the devastating effects of the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma). Craig provides senior level advice and consultation in disaster management and resiliency policy through Craig Fugate Consulting LLC.