Comment Submitted by Maryland Department of Emergency Management
AnonymousSupportGovernment
Summary: The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) supports the FEMA Review Council's efforts to modernize the national emergency management system but urges a phased implementation of its recommendations. They argue that transitioning responsibilities to state and local governments requires sustained federal investment in workforce development, funding, and technical capabilities to avoid fracturing national readiness and placing undue burdens on states.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the final report and recommendations of the FEMA Review Council. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) appreciates the Council’s efforts to examine the future of federal emergency management and identify opportunities to strengthen the nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impact of disasters.
As disasters continue to increase in frequency, complexity, and cost, it is essential that any reforms to the federal emergency management system reflect operational realities. In particular, MDEM wishes to provide specific feedback on the ten recommendations made by the FEMA Review Council. The attached document reflects a thorough review of the Council's final report and are informed by decades of collective experience in emergency management, disaster recovery, federal grants administration, intergovernmental coordination, and statewide incident management.