Management

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.

Management

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.

Management

Biden requests $40B to boost funding at select agencies

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

Management

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.

Oversight

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.

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.

Tech

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.

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.

Management

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.

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

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.

Workforce

FEMA Chief Says Her Top Priority Is to Ensure the Agency has Adequate Staffing for Upcoming Emergencies

Employees and managers alike continue to warn lawmakers about the impact that growing demands will have on the agency's ability to respond to disasters.

Management

DOE Shares the Playbook for Energy Emergencies

The Energy Emergency Response Playbook for States and Territories is designed to help state officials respond to threats to the energy infrastructure from cyberattacks, man-made damage and weather-related incidents like drought, flooding, storms, extreme heat or earthquakes.

Management

Biden Says Agencies Will Be Ready for Hurricane Season. But a Watchdog Is Warning of Shortfalls

Federal responders will have what they need, president says. GAO says the government should do more to help local communities prepare.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: How Congress is Trying – and Not Trying – to Prepare for the Next Pandemic

As funding is absent in the omnibus, Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss new plans for federal preparedness.