no fema representatives at nema

The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) held its annual meeting a couple of weeks ago in Chyenne, Wyoming. But…there were no Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives in attendance. The number one reason is likely the government shutdown that is continuing at this writing. However, even if there was no shutdown, it is possible that there still would not have been any FEMA representation at the meeting—because attendance at such events were declared “verboten” early in the Trump Administration.

I asked one attendee what it was like, given all the proposed changes to FEMA and statements made by Trump Administration officials, including the President. I guess it was not discussed publicly. More of the elephant in the room, present, but not addressed. Certainly, Republican State Emergency Managers could not say anything negative. Evidently, nothing was said. 

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) will host their annual meeting coming up in November. It will be interesting—should the shutdown be over—if FEMA will have representatives in attendance. In the past these two associations had multiple senior FEMA representatives come, speak and participate in panel discussions. Time will tell!