"More than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed the letter sent to the FEMA Review Council and Congress on Monday critiquing recent cuts to agency staff and programs, and warning that FEMA's capacity to respond to a major disaster was dangerously diminished. Thirty-five signed their names while 141 signed anonymously for fear of retribution. The Associated Press has confirmed that at least two of the signatories received notices Tuesday evening informing them they would be placed on leave indefinitely, with pay."
"The dissent letter contained six "statements of opposition" to current policies at FEMA, including an expenditure approval policy by which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem must approve contracts exceeding $100,000, which the signatories said reduces FEMA's ability to perform its mission. It also critiqued the DHS decision to reassign some FEMA employees to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the failure to appoint a qualified FEMA administrator as stipulated by law, and cuts to mitigation programs, preparedness training and FEMA workforce."
More than 180 current and former FEMA employees publicly opposed recent cuts to agency staff and programs and said FEMA's capacity to respond to a major disaster was dangerously diminished. Thirty-five employees signed openly while 141 signed anonymously citing fear of retribution. At least two signatories were placed on administrative leave Tuesday evening with pay and indefinite duration, according to notices; they were required to check in daily confirming availability. The notices stated the decision was not a disciplinary action and not intended to be punitive. The opposition cited six statements of opposition including a policy requiring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to approve contracts over $100,000, reassignments to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, absence of a qualified FEMA administrator, and cuts to mitigation, preparedness training, and workforce.
Read at Fortune
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]