Trump to sign executive order "maybe getting rid of FEMA" (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

Most disasters in this country are at least 90% funded by the federal government - mostly through FEMA.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

Like having States with surplus have their own "disaster response agency or mitigation plan"?

Fugate, who ran FEMA during the Obama administration, tried to improve state preparedness by making disaster aid contingent on state-level disaster mitigation. But the plan died amid backlash from states and Congress.

To take this to next logical question. Has congressional Republicans ever considered increasing resources available to FEMA so that they may address the "mysterious" increase of strength of these recurring natural disasters? The same can be said about the local state governments.

 

[Dragon]

To take this to next logical question. Has congressional Republicans ever considered increasing resources available to FEMA so that they may address the "mysterious" increase of strength of these recurring natural disasters? The same can be said about the local state governments.

FEMA and local disaster preparation are like insurance: something we fund and sometimes question, thinking, "Why are we spending money on this when we’ve never really needed it?" — until the day we do.
When disaster strikes, all hell breaks loose if our "insurance" turns out to be the cheapest option, one that doesn’t cover much at all. That’s why investing in disaster preparation now is an investment in our future. It’s about spending money today to avoid far greater costs—both financial and in human lives—tomorrow.
With the climate changing and an uncertain future ahead, that preparation is like a critical insurance premium. It might literally save lives in ways we can’t yet imagine.

 

[superchuck500]

 

[coldseat]

These mf'er's don't give a crap about any Americans. This would devastate his chosen state. If they do this, hopefully the next Cat 5 will hit Mar-a-lago head on and destroy his golf course.

 

[Dragon]

At a time when the rest of the world is strengthening disaster preparedness, the U.S. is dismantling its own. Makes sense—oh wait, it doesn’t!

 

[TampaJoe]

At a time when the rest of the world is strengthening disaster preparedness, the U.S. is dismantling its own. Makes sense—oh wait, it doesn’t!

I believe the question is whether there is a better more efficient way to deliver disaster relief services.

FEMA in its present state is slow, highly bureaucratic and unwieldy. We need to figure out how best to put communities and peoples lives back together after disaster. So the question is whether we are better served by allowing state and local governments to play a bigger part in the recovery process and fund them directly.

It is a discussion we need to have.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I believe the question is whether there is a better more efficient way to deliver disaster relief services.

FEMA in its present state is slow, highly bureaucratic and unwieldy. We need to figure out how best to put communities and peoples lives back together after disaster. So the question is whether we are better served by allowing state and local governments to play a bigger part in the recovery process and fund them directly.

It is a discussion we need to have.

so where will the money come from? states do what they can, but they sure can't afford large disasters that are getting worse and worse. How will they have housing available? Will they have their own insurance companies? Think of the cost to the states to have everything they need for a disaster that may or may not happen. Trump is making the federal government do nothing to help the people.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

So the question is whether we are better served by allowing state and local governments to play a bigger part in the recovery process and fund them directly.

It is a discussion we need to have.

The discussion has already been had, that is why FEMA was created!

The "bureaucracy" you speak of is in place to weed out fraud, waste and abuse. Of course they will not catch all of it, but at least there are measures in place to mitigate loss of funds.

 

[efil4]

I believe the question is whether there is a better more efficient way to deliver disaster relief services.

FEMA in its present state is slow, highly bureaucratic and unwieldy. We need to figure out how best to put communities and peoples lives back together after disaster. So the question is whether we are better served by allowing state and local governments to play a bigger part in the recovery process and fund them directly.

It is a discussion we need to have.

So you think that the states would do a better job of spending Federal FEMA money than FEMA coming in and spending FEMA money post disaster?

And each State would need to have its own "Management agency" - so we are talking year round staffing and salaries that come with, not to mention the insane "ramping up" staffing post-event - meaning you would need to bring in 100or even 1000s of people to handle claims/ppwk that are completely unfamiliar with how Federal reimbursements actually work. Not to mention zero knowledge of post cat event work.

So do you keep that department fully staffed year round ? who pays for that?

I mean, FEMA, in its current iteration, is fully staffed and prepared. You think THEY are slow? Wait til you call 1-800-FLFEMA for assistance only to talk to a 25 yr old making $10/hr to take your information to begin a claim and ask "how long will this take" only to hear " oh sir, i just take the info, i have no idea"

This is yet ANOTHER example of READY, FIRE, AIM.

I just hope SELA isnt the guinea pig for this "test run" because its going to be a hot mess.

I am in commercial insurance for last 30 years here in SELA- i know first hand what the State can do and what the Federal Govt can do and its simply no contest between the two.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

i know first hand what the State can do and what the Federal Govt can do and its simply no contest between the two.

So does the States! That is why they seek Federal assistance through emergency declarations.

 

[efil4]

So does the States! That is why they seek Federal assistance through emergency declarations.

Its to take some of the onus OFF the State so they can focus their efforts elsewhere regarding recovery ( for one, tightening code enforcement to make sure contractors are properly licensed and vetted )

You saddle a State with the task of handling 100,000 disaster assistance claims...good luck. Look what happened after COVID and folks ran to file unemployment claims. Websites were crashing.

And thats assuming someone in a disaster area a) has electricity to power up computer and b) wifi/cell signal to connect.

There are so many aspects to running a recovery effort post-cat that folks arent even aware of.

They just hear how "cumbersome" this is and how "long" it took for this to happen and think " yeah there has to be a better way" - no there isnt. Some things just take time.

Part of the time too is rooting out what is legit and what isnt. To combat fraud.

What if i hook up with my 30 yr old friend who landed job of approving claims, and set up a fraud ring where i send in claims, they stamp approved and we split the $$$?

who oversees that?

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

Its to take some of the onus OFF the State so they can focus their efforts elsewhere regarding recovery ( for one, tightening code enforcement to make sure contractors are properly licensed and vetted )

You saddle a State with the task of handling 100,000 disaster assistance claims...good luck. Look what happened after COVID and folks ran to file unemployment claims. Websites were crashing.

And thats assuming someone in a disaster area a) has electricity to power up computer and b) wifi/cell signal to connect.

There are so many aspects to running a recovery effort post-cat that folks arent even aware of.

They just hear how "cumbersome" this is and how "long" it took for this to happen and think " yeah there has to be a better way" - no there isnt. Some things just take time.

Part of the time too is rooting out what is legit and what isnt. To combat fraud.

What if i hook up with my 30 yr old friend who landed job of approving claims, and set up a fraud ring where i send in claims, they stamp approved and we split the $$$?

who oversees that?

It the whole point of us being The UNITED States and having a government of, by and for The People! So that when there is a problem, you should be able to depend on that government to work to help solve the problem. It's like they do not understand the purpose of government!

 

[efil4]

It the whole point of us being The UNITED States and having a government of, by and for The People! So that when there is a problem, you should be able to depend on that government to work to help solve the problem. It's like they do not understand the purpose of government!

im all for having a discussion regarding FEMA.

I wont have a discussion with anyone regarding FEMA who doesnt actually know what FEMA is, does and provides the American people from Cali to FL to NE and everywhere in between.

If all the gripe is about FEMA is regurgitating the bloviating coming from the WH about a slow/bloated FEMA, then they are working from a very narrow angle with only one agenda in mind.

But im willing to engage @TampaJoe to see if he truly wants to have a discussion or is just stuck on the "but FEMA is a wasteful spending black hole".

 

[MT15]

Why engage with someone who has proven time and again that he has nothing to offer but right wing talking points and propaganda?

Just ignore - it’s blissful, actually.

 

[coldseat]

I believe the question is whether there is a better more efficient way to deliver disaster relief services.

FEMA in its present state is slow, highly bureaucratic and unwieldy. We need to figure out how best to put communities and peoples lives back together after disaster. So the question is whether we are better served by allowing state and local governments to play a bigger part in the recovery process and fund them directly.

It is a discussion we need to have.

To think that states, especially Republican run states are going to do any better is madness. They don't have the expertise or resources that FEMA and the federal government can bring. How about working to help FEMA function better instead of destroying every federal agency?

 

[Maxp]

Yall are worried about nothing. Trump will send a check with his name on it to pay for one case of bounty paper towels to all Republicans affected.

 

[fooferdoggie]

one good thing Florida will be history by the end of hurricane season. though I am sure he will write checks for that/ no one will be able to get house insurance there now.

 

[TampaJoe]

so where will the money come from? states do what they can, but they sure can't afford large disasters that are getting worse and worse. How will they have housing available? Will they have their own insurance companies? Think of the cost to the states to have everything they need for a disaster that may or may not happen. Trump is making the federal government do nothing to help the people.

I believe the thought is that the Fed will send the funds to the state. That was my understanding. There are states that are at higher risk of these types and size disasters.

The folks I have talked to that have worked with and thru FEMA don’t speak highly of the experience. Is there a better answer? I don’t know but I do believe the question needs to be addressed. We have people in Florida who are still waiting on resources and this state is probably better prepared than others. There is room for improvement.