3 big changes are proposed for FEMA. This is what experts really think of them

"Preliminary recommendations by that council would "eliminate FEMA as we know it today," according to a draft of its report obtained by NPR. The 89-page draft dates from December, when the FEMA Review Council was scheduled to adopt final recommendations, but the council's final meeting was abruptly canceled. The final report is now expected in late March and could differ substantively from the December draft, although there have been no further public meetings of the council in the intervening months."

"In the draft report, responsibility for disasters would largely shift to states, which have long relied on the federal government to help survivors when a flood, hurricane or wildfire hits. FEMA's workforce, already hit hard by staff reductions since President Trump took office, would be cut in half, compared to its size at the end of the Biden administration. Still, some of the suggested reforms have been discussed by emergency managers and disaster policy experts for a decade or more, including ideas that are included in a bipartisan reform bill currently being considered by Congress."

"The White House referred questions from NPR about the council's proposed reforms to FEMA. FEMA did not respond to questions. An emailed statement from the Department of Homeland Security, which includes FEMA, says that the FEMA Review Council is still working on its final report, and that it is "an iterative process." NPR asked half a dozen disaster experts, including former FEMA staff, about the proposed reforms and what they believe could help protect communities from disaste"

President Trump initiated a major overhaul of FEMA through a 12-person review council that proposed sweeping changes. A December draft recommended eliminating FEMA "as we know it today" and anticipated final recommendations, but the council's final meeting was canceled and the final report is expected in late March and could differ. The draft would shift primary disaster responsibility to states and proposes cutting FEMA's workforce by half relative to its size at the end of the Biden administration. Several proposed reforms have been debated by emergency managers and are part of a bipartisan reform bill; some changes would require congressional approval. DHS described the council's work as an iterative process.

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