Changing the FEMA Landscape

Priorities of the plan include building a culture of preparedness, readying the nation for catastrophic disasters and reducing the complexity of FEMA. However, this Strategic Plan isn’t just for FEMA. It’s a strategic plan for the nation, and something we should all embrace.

Building a true culture of preparedness begins at every level of government, which spreads throughout our communities, and eventually reaches every person. During a disaster, individuals in affected communities are the first responders. We must empower individuals with lifesaving skills to help speed response and recovery efforts. We must also encourage our citizens to be financially prepared for disasters.

Closing the insurance gap, which is the difference between what is currently insured and what is insurable, is another priority. We need to double the amount of flood insurance coverage we have in the country, because any home can flood, and homeowners, renters and businesses recover more quickly when insured. Mother Nature doesn’t recognize flood zone maps, and we currently have too many people at risk. And it’s not just flood insurance, it’s insurance against high winds in hurricane and tornado-prone areas, and earthquake insurance to protect your investment. 

Everyone should have the right insurance coverage for the hazards they face.

Only by using every tool at every level will we be able to shift this paradigm. How we communicate about risk is also of primary importance. Reducing risks to people and property helps build more resilient communities and saves taxpayer dollars. Developing resilient communities ahead of an incident reduces the loss of life and economic disruption.

As always, FEMA remains ready to support when catastrophic disasters occur, but all disasters should be federally supported, state-managed and locally executed. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), damages in 80 percent of presidentially-declared disasters fall below $41 million. We are looking at innovative approaches to allow states, tribes and territories to manage these incidents themselves. FEMA will continue to fund recovery for smaller disasters, while state, local, tribal and territorial governments play a much larger role in managing their own recovery programs.

Finally, FEMA is committed to simplifying our recovery processes and making our programs more user-friendly.  More than 15 federal agencies have assistance programs to help survivors. FEMA will work with its federal partners to consolidate programs and streamline activities, to bring help to survivors in a more efficient manner. 

Local leaders are some of the most trusted in government. It is critically important that your constituents hear from you early and continuously. Your role and influence in your communities are instrumental in building a safer and more resilient nation. It is at your level that conversations should begin about a community’s vision and commitment to its own preparedness, resilienceand recovery strategies in the case of major events.

I ask that you support this Strategic Plan, and adopt these goals as your own, so we can work together to build a better, safer and more resilient nation. Thank you for the work you do every day to make our country safer and stronger.

Sincerely,

Brock Long

FEMA Administrator