Giving People the Wrong Impression about FEMA

FEMA may be called to action, based on the expected action by the president to declare an emergency. It will be very interesting how that happens. Normally, governors proclaim an emergency and then request federal assistance and a declaration when their state resources are exhausted. Might he proclaim one for the entire nation and all 50 states due to COVID-19 now having community spread?

Then later in this article, Trump is likely to make an emergency declaration on Friday afternoon the writer alludes to all the resources that FEMA can bring to bear, like transporting patients. Guess what, FEMA doesn't transport patients, they do actually very, very, very little service delivery. They are a coordinating agency that matches needs from states with "all of federal government" resources. You likely will never see anyone with a FEMA shirt or hat on in the field during a disaster response.

And, you have to love the president saying he has the Stafford Act memorized. After 30-plus years in the disaster business, I have not been able to accomplish that. I thought he didn't like to read briefing papers? I guess I was wrong.