FEMA is authorized to designate major disasters.
President Joe Biden has signed legislation after it was finally passed in the Senate that requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate large wildfires as major disasters. FEMA has many tools to address other natural disasters, but has not responded nearly as quickly as wildfires grow to be a more pressing issue in the United States.
“FEMA’s expertise over the years has gotten good at anticipating and responding to hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes,” said co-sponsor Senator Alex Padilla of California. “Wildfire, not so much.”
President Biden stated, “The “FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022” or the ‘FIRE Act‘ … requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct various studies to improve wildfire preparedness and response, ensure that crisis counselors and case management workers are appropriately trained to address the impacts of major disasters on socio-economically disadvantaged communities, and allow Indian tribal governments to apply for grants to upgrade emergency operation centers.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and his administration as they implement regulations about wildfires.
- For FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to seek God’s guidance as she heads her agency.
- For members of Congress as they continue to wrap up federal business as the current term comes to a close.
Sources: The White House, Reuters
