The NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force was launched in November 2024 to strengthen our nation's disaster mitigation, response and recovery capabilities. This will be achieved by modernizing federal disaster policies; strengthening intergovernmental partnerships; and enhancing local disaster mitigation, response and recovery capacities. As disasters intensify across the country, county governments play a crucial role on the frontlines of emergency management and recovery. 

With a commitment to advancing federal policies that foster collaboration between counties, federal agencies and other intergovernmental partners, the Task Force builds on years of county-led efforts to enhance disaster policies and practices, driving improved outcomes nationwide.

Become a Friend of the Task Force | Download the Task Force Scoping Document | Download the One-Pager

In 2023:

Counties are not merely stakeholders in this conversation but a part of the federal-state-local-tribal partnership of governments that together share the responsibility of protecting our nation and our residents from all types of disasters. 

849

counties experiences at least one federally declared disaster

720

counties had at least one disaster declaration

312

counties had at least one emergency declaration

2000-2023 Number of Major Disaster Declarations

Click here to view in a new window

About the Task Force

Through advancing county policy priorities, elevating local strategies, and amplifying county voices, the Task Force will: 

  • Ignite a national focus on disaster resilience by fostering strong intergovernmental partnerships and emphasizing the need for systemic reform to improve the nation’s preparedness, response and recovery capabilities. 
  • Highlight the critical roles, innovations and challenges faced by county governments in disaster management, ensuring that counties remain integral partners in federal and state disaster policies and practices
  • Achieve public policies that strengthen county capacity to mitigate, respond to and recover from disasters. Key policy goals include streamlining federal disaster funding, improving access to technical assistance and training and enhancing support for long-term recovery initiatives that address the growing frequency and severity of disasters. 
  • Align a cohesive national and intergovernmental strategy for disaster reform, focusing on building more resilient communities through collaboration among federal, state, tribal and local governments, with special attention to underserved and vulnerable populations. 

Membership for this Task Force was appointed by NACo President James Gore in November 2024. 

Co-ChairS 

Hon. Adrian Garcia, Commissioner, Harris Co., Texas | Chair, NACo Justice & Public Safety Policy Steering Committee 

Hon. Cynthia Lee Sheng, Parish President, Jefferson Parish, La.  

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Hon. Paul Anderes, Commissioner, Union Co., Ore.  

Hon. Barry Anderson, Supervisor, Clay Co., Iowa  

Hon. Dakkia Bradshaw, Commissioner, Telfair Co., Ga. 

Hon. Ken Burke, Comptroller, Pinellas Co., Fla.

Hon. Ron Burrows, Commissioner, Rogers Co., Okla. 

Hon. Paula Dance, Sheriff, Pitt Co., N.C. 

Hon. Allen Dodson, Judge, Faulkner Co., Ark. 

Hon. Lena Fowler, Supervisor, Coconino Co., Ariz. | Chair, NACo Rural Action Caucus 

Hon. Heidi Hall, Supervisor, Nevada Co., Cali. 

Hon. Dwayne McFall, Commissioner, Fremont Co., Colo. | Second Vice President, NACo Western Interstate Region 

Hon. Sharon Green Middleton, Councilmember, Baltimore City, Md. | Vice Chair, NACo Large Urban County Caucus 

Hon. Tamara Paltin, Councilmember, Maui Co., Hawaii  

Hon. Jessica Pyska, Supervisor, Lake Co., Calif.

Hon. Dave Somers, County Executive, Snohomish Co., Wash. 

Hon. Bill Truex, Commissioner, Charlotte Co., Fla.  

Hon. Mark Poloncarz, County Executive, Erie Co., N.Y. 

Hon. Larry Waters, Mayor, Sevier Co., Tenn. 

Hon. Frank Williams, Commissioner, Brunswick Co., N.C. | Chair, NACo Resilient Counties Advisory Board 

COUNTY EXPERTS & STATE ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS

Pat Alesandrini, Assessor, Hillsborough Co., Fla.

Nick Crossley, Director, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Hamilton Co., Ohio

Jeff DuVall, Director, Dept. of Emergency Management, Sonoma Co., Calif.

Judd Freed, Director of Emergency Management, Ramsey Co., Minn.

Jim Henderson, Executive Director, Kentucky Association of Counties

Matt Machado, County Engineer, Santa Cruz Co., Calif.

Monica Nino, County Administrator, Contra Costa Co., Calif.

Eric Poole, Executive Director, Institute for County Govt., Florida Association of Counties

Cody Powell, Emergency Management Coordinator, Wise Co., Texas 

Task Force Federal Policy Priorities

Provide recommendations for reforms and best practices for essential federal programs that improve disaster mitigation at the county level, including direct technical support, reduced administrative burdens and public accountability.

  • Assess how federal assistance can better support pre-disaster mitigation projects at the county level, including multi-benefit projects.
  • Explore lessons learned with mitigation programs like FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Public Assistance – Mitigation, HUD’s CDBG-Mitigation Program, and USDA Watershed Protection.  

Enhance the existing framework for federal, state, tribal and local partners to collaborate in a transparency and trusted manner in disaster response efforts.

  • Improve the coordination of federal and state disaster response resources with county-level emergency management efforts, including combatting mis-and-dis information.
  • Address barriers counties face in accessing federal resources in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and identify solutions to expedite funds, particularly for rural and under resourced communities.  

Expand access to the FEMA Public Assistance Dashboard, allowing county officials to track and address quality control and accountability issues with reimbursement claims.

  • Streamline recovery programs and increase transparency on reimbursements to reduce administrative burdens and speed up assistance to affected counties.
  • Enhance training and capacity building of county officials of FEMA rules and procedures.
  • Analyze the impact of delays in federal disaster recovery funding on local communities.

Strengthen the capacity and skills of county officials to plan for and respond to disasters.

  • Identify training and technical assistance opportunities for county officials.
  • Secure national-level partnerships to offer and sustain capacity building programs and resources for county officials, including covering the fundamentals of federal resources. 

Thanks to our Sponsors

Thank you to Hagerty Consulting, the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) and Pew Charitable Trust for partnering with NACo and sponsoring the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force.

Hagerty Consulting

As a leading emergency management consulting firm, Hagerty’s commitment to helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters aligns with NACo’s mission to strengthen counties nationwide. We’re grateful for their support and expertise in driving innovative disaster response and recovery strategies. Learn more about Hagerty Consulting.

IBTS

As a national nonprofit and trusted advisor to local, state and federal governments, IBTS supports counties through innovative solutions in federal grants management, disaster preparation and recovery, resilience planning and more. Their commitment to strengthening counties aligns with NACo’s mission to empower local governments nationwide. Learn more about IBTS.

Pew Charitable Trust

Pew is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. We apply a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life. Learn more about Pew

Connect and Share Your Story

Stay up-to-date on Task Force activities and share your county story. Highlight your county's story in the "Your Message" field.

Want to get involved? Membership for this Task Force was appointed by NACo President James Gore in November 2024 and is now closed. However, those interested in the Task Force's work can sign up as "Friends of the Task Force" to receive member communications and attend select open meetings.

Have photos or videos to share?
Email bmattson@naco.org with the subject line "Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force."

Task Force Contact

Image of Brett-Mattson.jpg

Brett Mattson

Legislative Director, Justice & Public Safety

Related News

Jeff Davis, left, embraces homeowner Houston Rea, who suffered a total toss of his home, after a tornado tore through his neighborhood in Laurel County, Ky. Photo by Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal
News

Deadly tornadoes pummel counties across the South

Southern Kentucky counties bore the brunt of a May 16 tornado outbreak, with at least 17 fatalities confirmed as of last week in Laurel County alone. 

Female firefighter and group of firemen with fire trucks
Advocacy

Fire and emergency response grants now open for counties

On May 20, FEMA announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program and the Fiscal Year 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, which support fire departments and firefighter organizations in increasing staffing and improving safety nationwide.

THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png
Advocacy

County Countdown – May 19, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features reconciliation bill advancement, a FEMA reform proposal and more.

FEMA
Advocacy

House draft bill text proposes FEMA reform package with major wins for counties

This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee released draft bill text for a sweeping Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform package aimed at improving disaster response, streamlining aid and increasing local flexibility—reflecting many long-standing county priorities.

THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png
Advocacy

County Countdown – April 21, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features the ARPA reporting deadline, a budget reconciliation update and more

Upcoming Events

Image of Flood_2.jpg
Webinar

Eyes on the Surge: Harnessing AWARE Flood Sensors via NACo PPP–Safeware for Hurricane Readiness & Rapid Recovery

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Discover how counties can deploy the AWARE Flood System—rugged, solar-powered IoT sensors available through the competitively bid NACo Public Promise Procurement Safeware contract—to turn rising water into actionable intelligence. We’ll show how each lightweight node tracks depth, temperature and barometric pressure, pushes real-time alerts over cellular or Iridium satellite link, and keeps reporting for seven days even without sunlight. Learn the simple “piggy-back” procurement steps inside Public Promise Procurement (PPP), funding streams that pair with FEMA categories and see a live dashboard demo that lets EOCs map flood conditions before, during and after landfall.
 

Image of Levers-Technology_1.jpg
Webinar

Faster, Smarter Disaster Relief: How LA County Used AI & Geospatial Mapping to Deliver $20M in Aid

Key Takeaways:

  • Strategies for incorporating geospatial technology in disaster planning and response.
  • Techniques for using identity verification tools to balance security and accessibility.
  • Best practices for building public-private partnerships in times of crisis.