FEMA Workforce Reductions
Thousands of contract workers across the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are expected to lose their jobs this year. Supervisors have informed staff that multiyear contracts, even for those actively involved in rebuilding efforts, will not be extended. Some divisions within FEMA could experience a reduction of half their workforce if current policies remain in place.
FEMA and the White House have not issued public statements regarding the reasons for these personnel changes or their potential impact on the agency's disaster response capabilities. Previous statements from President Trump expressed a belief that FEMA is ineffective.
Agency Structure and Role
FEMA relies on a substantial number of employees on two-to-four-year contracts, a system designed to adjust staffing levels in response to demand after major disaster events. These Cadre of On-Call Response/Recovery Employees (CORE) comprised nearly 9,000 workers as of 2022.
CORE employees frequently serve as initial responders on the ground at disaster sites, assisting survivors with immediate needs such as housing, food, and clothing. They also help survivors apply for funds for home repairs and collaborate with local governments on long-term rebuilding efforts following events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
Concerns Regarding Impact
Former senior FEMA officials have expressed concerns regarding the workforce reductions. Michael Coen, who served as FEMA chief of staff, stated that the cuts could adversely affect FEMA's ability to respond to disasters and help communities recover. Jeremy Edwards, a former FEMA press secretary, noted a lack of plans to retain personnel in critical positions, such as those working directly with disaster survivors or assisting local governments with hurricane preparedness.
Deanne Criswell, who led FEMA under the Biden administration, indicated that these changes will likely cause extended recovery times for communities affected by disasters. Specific areas mentioned as potentially impacted include western North Carolina, Kerr County (Texas), Florida, Vermont, Kentucky, and regions affected by wildfires in Maui and Los Angeles.
Legal and Political Context
A law passed after Hurricane Katrina prohibits the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, from making cuts that would significantly hinder the agency's disaster response capabilities. Thirteen House Democrats have sent a letter to the White House, asserting that the planned workforce reductions may violate this law.