Emergency Response

Biden looks to ramp up federal involvement in extreme heat response

Amid record heat waves and calls for more federal action, FEMA will host an extreme heat summit next week.

A small transportation safety agency is struggling to keep pace with growing responsibilities

Faced with “extremely limited resources" and the same staffing level it had 20 years ago, the NTSB is trying to do more with less.

Hundreds of federal employees deploy to Hawaii to assist in wildfire response

Agencies with offices and personnel on the island are also scrambling to accommodate staff and provide continuity of services.

Biden requests $40B to boost funding at select agencies

Border security, federal firefighter pay and Ukraine aid are part of the emergency request.

FEMA has so far paid out less than 1% of what Congress allocated for victims of New Mexico wildfire

The emergency management agency has paid just $3 million in claims out of $3.96 billion Congress allocated, and the bulk of the payments went to the city of Las Vegas, N.M., rather than individual fire victims.

Deer Park chemical fire in 2019 could have been prevented, federal investigation finds

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that the ITC tank farm lacked crucial equipment to warn workers about the failure that led to the three-day fire.

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.

VA Paid for But Didn't Deploy an Emergency Communications System

Despite spending over $8.5 million on a new emergency communication system contract, a new report has revealed that the Veterans Health Administration failed to establish the network by a deadline that passed more than three years ago.

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.

Puerto Rico Storm Victims Report Waits of Over 5 Hours on Calls to FEMA

Long hold times contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency are just one challenge emerging as the nation responds to Hurricane Fiona, which swamped the commonwealth last month, along with Hurricane Ian’s devastating hit to Florida.

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.

A Bipartisan Bill Aims to Create One Disaster Recovery Assistance Application

Simplifying the application process would remove the burden on disaster survivors seeking federal assistance in the wake of hurricanes, floods, wildfires and more, lawmakers say.