FEMA Plans Decentralization, Regional Office Changes

FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton says the agency should reduce unnecessary centralization in Washington and give states, regional offices, field leaders and front-line personnel a larger role in disaster response. A separate October 6 memo from senior officials proposes closing or reorganizing several offices, moving national continuity staff, creating a mitigation grants division and consolidating flood-insurance functions; it is unclear whether the proposals will be implemented. The changes align with the Trump administration’s push for states to take on more disaster-preparedness and recovery responsibilities and for the federal government to shoulder less of the cost. The proposals come as FEMA faces criticism over staffing losses and delays in disaster assistance, while the administration’s effort to sharply reduce the workforce was blocked by a judge.