David Richardson, the new head of FEMA, announced a significant change in disaster response funding on Thursday. Starting soon, states will have to cover half the costs of responding to natural disasters, up from the current 25%. This shift comes as Richardson, who took over the agency just a week ago, aims to reform FEMA’s operations.
During a staff meeting, Richardson expressed his intention to streamline FEMA’s focus to align more closely with legal mandates. He emphasized that states would bear a larger share of the financial burden in disaster response, reflecting the priorities of the Trump administration. "FEMA 2 will look different than FEMA 1," Richardson said, indicating a stronger emphasis on state responsibility for disaster preparedness and recovery.
Richardson’s comments follow the abrupt removal of acting FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton, who was ousted after he publicly opposed the idea of eliminating the agency. Hamilton’s stance conflicted with the views of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump, who have both called for major changes within FEMA.
In his initial address to staff, Richardson made it clear he would not tolerate resistance to his reform efforts. He has already advised staff to inform governors about the upcoming changes in cost-sharing, suggesting that states should prepare for a 50/50 split in disaster funding. "If it doesn’t happen this year, it will very, very likely happen next year," he warned.
Richardson also acknowledged that there will still be situations where states require additional financial assistance from FEMA. His leadership comes at a critical time as the agency faces staff reductions while gearing up for a potentially busy hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
Concerns have also been raised about staffing levels at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is trying to reassign workers to key forecasting roles in hurricane-prone areas. A NOAA spokesperson stated that they are adjusting service standards to cope with the changes in personnel.
As Richardson settles into his new role, his proposed reforms could reshape the landscape of disaster response in the United States, placing more responsibility on state governments.