two state directors finalists for fema administrator

I was told, way back when, that after the Hurricane Katrina debacle, Craig Fugate was approached to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He “reportedly” declined to be considered. Later, he led FEMA for the entire Obama Administration.

Now today Politico has this article, Trump zeros in on two state officials as FEMA finalists  As the article states, both candidates, one from Florida and one from Texas have the requisite experience to hold that position. While being FEMA Administrator is the pinnacle of our profession for public service as emergency managers, I would recommend the candidates talk to Craig Fugate and get his advice.

Here’s what I’m thinking. These are not normal times, nor is this a “typical” administration. Decisions are not being made on facts and if you factor in DOGE, you might just be on the tail of decision making. Previously I had this Disaster Zone Blog post: draft ofm memo on budget cuts in which I shared what might be a “normal” approach to having a reduction in force. That would be “normal” and what we have seen across the federal government is “not normal.”

When you assume any position of leadership, you have a boss, and it is your responsibility to be loyal to that boss. You can argue in private about courses of action and recommend those you believe are the best for your agency. Once the boss makes a decision, even one that you believe is faulty and outright wrong, then it is your responsibility to support that decision and act on it as if it was your own idea.

Whoever takes the job of administrator will have to go out and defend the actions of the administration. I don’t know if Marco Rubio is defending the idea of using military action to “take Greenland” but he may have to in his position of Secretary of State if it comes to that.

The article above alludes to the idea that FEMA should be relocated outside of Washington, D.C. That is the type of thing you will have to defend. Or, perhaps eliminating some of the ten FEMA Regions—defend that and a myriad of other decisions that reduce the ability of FEMA to accomplish its goals and duties. Your first and foremost duty will be the “defender of all actions taken by those above you.” Personally, I think it will be a terrible job and one that only brings stress and disappointment.  Lastly, who will get the blame if after all these changes are made and disaster response or recovery fail? It won’t be the President or the Secretary of Homeland Security. I always told others that if we had a catastrophic disaster that did not go well, it would be my head on a pike outside the King County Courthouse as a warning to all that enter.

One of the potential candidates for the FEMA job is Nim Kidd, pictured in the story. I had the opportunity to interview him on my Disaster Zone Podcast: Texas Emergency Management He is a very experienced and competent leader. If he or Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management the agency are selected, the agency will be in good hands. My concern is that those hands will be tied with really stupid decisions that destroy the federal emergency management system that we know, and it is not replaced with something better.