Deanne Criswell, nominee for administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Capitol Hill on March 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (DREW ANGERER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
As wildfire season approaches at an alarming rate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking to boost its fiscal year budget to deal with upcoming threats.
During a meeting with the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell told lawmakers the Biden administration wants a boost of $1.9 billion in its budget for 2022. Criswell noted that FEMA doesn’t deal with just seasonal disasters that occur once in awhile, but rather year-round.
Criswell also highlighted FEMA’s mission, which is helping people before, during and after disasters in the face of unpredictable and ever-evolving threats and hazards that states are currently facing.
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— FEMA (@fema) June 30, 2021
“The threats that we’re facing continue to change. Our normal cycle of disaster response isn’t just in the summer anymore, it’s really year round.” said Criswell. “But we’re now taking a big look at what is it going to be for us in the future and how do we want to start to posture ourselves for this more year-round response.”
She added, the agency is also working on an assessment to determine if a new “readiness cycle” demands a different rotation of personnel throughout the year. “This rotation of readiness to make sure that our staff have the time to take for themselves and reset is a critical part of how we make sure that they are prepared and that we have a workforce that is ready to respond when needed,” commented Criswell.
She went on to say if the budget is enacted, it will allow FEMA to meet the challenges that lay ahead.
Source: One America News Network
