disaster zone podcast: destroying FEMA

With the Texas flash flooding dominating disaster news for the last several weeks, numerous emergency management topics have been in the media. They have included flood planning, issuing of warnings, warning methodologies, emergency management responsibilities, at the city, county and state, zoning, land management, permitting, search and rescue, etc. The list includes FEMA’s performance in the response.

Check out the most recent  Disaster Zone Podcast, Destroying FEMA

Part of the podcast is explaining the role and function of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the a discussion on where we are today with all that has transpired and dare I say “threatened” concerning the abolishment of FEMA and remaking its functions. I do have to say that Trump Administration officials, including the President have been very complimentary of FEMA’s performance with the Texas response. If they did so well in that event, what is it that needs to be changed?

Podcast Description:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been in the news for months. Both President Trump and the Secretary of Homeland Security have made remarks that FEMA should be abolished, perhaps moved out of DHS and physically out of Washington, D.C. A council has been established to examine how the federal response and recovery efforts to disasters should be accomplished moving forward. The current status and future of FEMA is the topic of this podcast.

The podcast guest is Michael A. Coen Jr. who has been a right-hand advisor to three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) directors and administrators, to include: James Lee Witt, W. Craig Fugate and Deanne Criswell. He recently served as Chief of Staff to Deanne Criswell during the Biden administration. Most recently is has been an outspoken advocate for FEMA’s mission of creating a disaster resilient United States. He is an outcome-oriented executive with proven management and leadership experience. A track record of accomplishment in managing during times of crisis, implementing strategic vision, leading organizational change, building coalitions, fostering collaboration and communicating during crisis. Michael effectively and comfortably operates in high-profile politically charged environments.