
abandoning work to address equity issues in disasters
Elections have outcomes and therefore we are in a new era of ignoring social science and any past practice that recognized that minority and disadvantaged communities suffer more from disasters than their more affluent and white neighbors. It is just a fact that has been thoroughly researched time and again. The “equity” that is being sought now is to be sure that whites, especially white men, are not being discriminated against by rewarding resources to others who might be more in need. It is a sad place to be…but, here we are.

is cross border disaster cooperation possible today?
One of my big fears is how the current federal administration is changing the relationship between the United States and Canada. In treating Canada as the enemy or at least something to be desired as the 51st state has alienated much of the population of Canada. Previous work that has been done to provide for cross border cooperation during a disaster is likely in jeopardy going forward. People are people and not immune to hard feelings when they are treated less than equals or what they thought to be friends.

emi reopens
I guess this “old dog” has not kept up with the times. I now see that EMI is now “National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU) in Emmitsburg, Md.” Am I the last to know this?
See this brief announcement, FEMA Reopens National Fire Academy and Other National Schoolhouses

disaster zone podcast: Predicting Damages Before a Disaster
New technologies are encouraging organizations to look more proactively about predicting disaster damages. That is the topic of this Disaster Zone Podcast: Predicting Damages Before a Disaster This a thoughtful discussion on what is possible today and what might be more possible in the future.

At FEMA: turmoil and lack of preparedness
This CNN story describes the current situation at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Exclusive: FEMA is ‘not ready’ for hurricane season, internal agency review shows

Another Indicator of the Future with FEMA
I just did a blog post on the value of “in-person” training and after shooting it off to be posted to the Disaster Zone Blog, I read the following on LinkedIn from someone attending the Florida Hurricane Conference. Note that the link calls it the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, but the state is not there!

FEMA cutting back on training
The real question that comes from this article, FEMA cuts emergency training under Trump as hurricane season looms is about the value of “in-person” training.

congress weighing in on FEMA restructuring plan
All the conversation that the Trump Administration has created about the future for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has energized others to “get in the game,” Congress counters Trump with massive FEMA restructuring plan

dhs ends remote work
In my mind we have our entire federal government functions in “reverse gear” and moving backward as fast as possible. One example of that is this, DHS abruptly ends flexible work agreements

is the national weather service ready for hurricane season?
Almost all federal agencies have been impacted by staff reductions. The National Weather Service (NWS) has not been exempted from those reductions. See this CNN story, US weather forecasting is more crippled than previously known as hurricane season nears

even iowa is thinking about cuts to emergency management
I found this opinion piece of interest, Changes to FEMA are yet another disaster Iowans shouldn’t have to facebe felt everywhere.

republican governors want fema
Disasters can make for strange bedfellows, or not. With the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) still in question, disasters continue to pile up—especially in the South with many Republican states getting hit hard by spring storms

fraud, waste and abuse
We have heard a great deal about fraud, waste and abuse in 2025. As those who seek fraud in the federal government have found, it does not exist in any great quantity. Some of the numbers tallied as “fraud” are for programs that were funded by congress that the current administration finds objectionable.

AmeriCorps Staff Going Away
It would seem that the AmeriCorps program is going to be discontinued. See this AP story, Most of AmeriCorps staff members have been placed on leave after DOGE cuts

Disaster Zone Podcast: Volunteers Assets or Liabilities
Check out the latest Disaster Zone Podcast: Volunteers Assets or Liabilities We have many different people and organizations to thank when it comes to all our volunteer individuals and groups

space weather warning seminar
I don’t think most people understand the totality of the threat we face from space weather. A “direct hit” on North America would take us back to the stone age—technologically. There are two opportunities to learn more about this threat.

flight safety in fighting wildfires
Every organization I know will always tout safety as of the utmost importance. The question is—is that really true?

dhs offers buyouts to staff
This is likely getting to people a bit late, since the date to reply to reduction offers is April 14th. I would expect that all employees got the memo already, but it is good for the rest of us following developments to stay abreast of the actions and news. See this item: Noem offers buyouts to DHS workers

climate change? what climate change?
Weather patterns are vacillating all over the world. I recall where jolly old England now has a thriving wine growing industry! And then today, Britain faces extreme fire risk through the weekend Britan with a fire risk in April! Did you say climate change? What climate change?

total damages vs. uninsured damages
I have to say I’ve been impressed with AccuWeather’s forecasts on extreme weather. They, along with the National Weather Service (NWS) were ringing the bell early on the stream of storms that caused significant damages across a southern swath of the United States. There was record rain and flooding, along with many tornados in the areas that were predicted to be impacted.
