Union officials criticize Bush’s choice for FEMA director

Labor union officials say that the nomination of acting Federal Emergency Management Agency director R. David Paulison to fill the job permanently is prompting an exodus of managers.

"We have mid-level managers flying out the door [at FEMA]," said Charles Showalter, president of the American Federation of Government Employees' National Homeland Security Council. "Any time you put a political appointee over public safety and operational issues, it scares the hell out of people."

Leo Bosner, a 27-year FEMA veteran and union representative, said Paulison's 30 years of fire and rescue experience in Florida do not necessarily qualify him to lead FEMA, and called for someone with broader disaster management expertise. Bosner also was critical of Paulison's support of FEMA remaining within DHS.

Before the nomination was made public, reports surfaced that several other candidates for the job asked that they be removed from the running. While union representatives urged a broader search, some legislators have banded together to support Paulison's nomination. Lawmakers have pointed toward the June 1 start of the hurricane season, suggesting that another disaster where FEMA suffers a lack of leadership could be detrimental to the agency.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, praised Paulison last week following the announcement of his nomination, saying he has "a good understanding of first responder issues." Other Republicans have voiced support.

But Democrats are reserving their opinions for his confirmation hearing, the date of which has yet to be announced.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, lauded Paulison's experience in emergency management, but said he would prefer to have FEMA independent of the Homeland Security Department.

"I intend to wait until the [Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee] has conducted a thorough review of Mr. Paulison's background before deciding whether I support his nomination," Akaka said.

He added that filling empty seats must be a priority, regardless of who runs FEMA. "DHS cannot run effectively with so many senior-level vacancies," he said.

Rep. Martin Olav Sabo, D-Minn., ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, said he expects Paulison will be confirmed.

Sabo, like other legislators, praised Paulison's work as chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. But he argued that FEMA should be returned to Cabinet status. "It's strapped in stature," Sabo said of the agency.

Union officials said they do not view Paulison's nomination as a step in the right direction for FEMA.

"I want to be as hopeful and as optimistic as I can," Bosner said. "But I'm not very hopeful, and I'm not very optimistic."