Workforce
FEMA Is Losing Employees at an Alarming Rate
Burnout is leading to attrition as disasters spike, but watchdog also blames agency for poor workforce management.
Management
NOAA to Improve Storm Surge Predictions Ahead of 2023 Hurricane Season
The agency upgraded its system to improve modeling and forecasting for storm surges and related flooding.
Management
The Federal Government Accidentally Burned down Their Houses, Then Made It Hard to Come Home
FEMA told survivors of the largest wildfire in N.M. history that it aimed to put temporary housing on their land. But because of its strict, slow bureaucracy, that has happened only twice.
Management
FEMA Wants to Confront Growing Challenges With More Personnel
The Biden administration is expecting unique challenges this disaster season, and FEMA wants to do more with more.
Oversight
Federal, State Officials Weigh Plans to Increase Rail Safety
The Rail Safety Act was mentioned as part of a plan to prevent further disasters in Ohio and nationwide.
Oversight
The Ohio Train Crash Happened While The Hazardous Material Regulatory Agency Had No Permanent Leader
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the derailment and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which has no nominee to lead it.
Oversight
A Norfolk Southern Policy Lets Officials Order Crews to Ignore Safety Alerts
In October, months before the East Palestine derailment, the company also directed a train to keep moving with an overheated wheel that caused it to derail miles later in Sandusky, Ohio.
Management
When Disasters Hit, Governments Need to Mobilize
Marc Mancher joins the podcast to discuss crisis communication centers.
Oversight
After Substation Shooting, Federal Regulator Orders Review Of Security Standards
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to review existing “physical security” rules for the components of the power system.
Management
The Federal Program to Rebuild After Hurricane Katrina Shortchanged the Poor. New Data Proves It.
For years, low-income residents of New Orleans have said the state’s Road Home program paid them less to rebuild their homes compared to wealthier residents. They were right.
Management
A New Law Requires Agencies to Better Prepare for Natural Disasters
Supporters say the law is more important than ever given the growing frequency and severity of storms.
Management
FEMA Explores Outsourcing Much of the $2.5B Program for Northern New Mexico Fire Victims
A contract document gives new details on how the agency plans to run the program
Management
More than 60% of Puerto Ricans Seeking FEMA Aid After Hurricane Maria Had Their Applications Denied – Will The Agency Approve More This Time?
Within two weeks of Hurricane Fiona, FEMA had accepted most Puerto Rican housing aid applications. Nearly all those early approvals cover only $700 in assistance and won’t pay the tab for rebuilding.
Management
Agencies Across Government Are Sending Help as Hurricane Ian Slams Florida
FEMA says it has sufficient resources to handle the potentially catastrophic storm even as it tackles several crises simultaneously.
Management
Federal Agencies Are Sending Hundreds of Employees to Puerto Rico to Help With Hurricane Response
FEMA already had a significant presence on the island due to ongoing recovery efforts.
Workforce
Deployed FEMA Responders Will Receive New Job Protections Now That Congress Has Passed Much Hailed Reform
Officials say the change will help retain key personnel and avoid staffing crises.
Defense
Do Some 9/11 Responders Have a New Kind of Dementia?
World Trade Center responders who have PTSD may have a new, specific form of dementia, a new study suggests.
Oversight
After FEMA Overhaul, Hundreds of Thousands of Americans Are Forgoing Federal Flood Insurance
The total number of National Flood Insurance Program policies has decreased nearly 9 percent since last fall.
Workforce
Floods, Park Closure Contribute to Decrease in Yellowstone National Park Visitors
Park officials expect to open roads to North Entrance and Northeast Entrance by mid-October
Management
How Polio Crept Back Into the U.S.
U.S. public health agencies generally don’t test wastewater for signs of polio. That may have given the virus time to circulate silently before it paralyzed a New York man.
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