we’re trying to achieve, and that’s to help the people that have been impacted by disasters,”Aymond said. State and city officials were rightfully nervous about making waves as it became clear that the Trump administration was determined to radically change FEMA, said Criswell.“Policy actually started changing rapidly. Then we moved into the next phase, which was staff turnover that started happening in the spring. And then by summertime, we saw regional administrators changing positions that had been in those positions for over 10 years and more.” The bright spot in all that turmoil, Criswell said, is that emergency management, which has “been kind of an unsung profession,” is taking the spotlight.“I’m personally thrilled to see emergency management get this much attention and have so much analysis on it. It brings a bright light to the future.” “EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL BE STRONGER” “Over the last year, we’ve seen a lot of unnecessary anxiety and a level of uncertainty, especially among FEMA employees and emergency managers across the country,” said former FEMA Chief of Staff Michael Coen. “FEMA is at a crossroads, but everybody in emergency management — these are the times we train for,” Coen said.“So, I do think that, in the end, emergency management will be stronger.” Emergency managers’ work “matters more profoundly now than ever,” Gaynor said. He urged them to set aside headlines and politics so they can focus on delivering help to disaster survivors, “the ultimate measuring stick.” “Stay steady, stay compassionate and stay missionfocused,” he said. “And really, thank you for serving, especially in these really, really hard days.” the budgetary and legislative capacities that states are going to need to develop to fill the gap,” Labowitz said. “There’s been a lot of conversation over this last year about pushing more responsibility down to the state and the local level,” said Danielle Aymond, disaster recovery and FEMA funding specialist at law firm Baker Donelson. “But let’s be clear, the states and the locals have always had the responsibility. That has not changed, and whatever happens here, that will not change.” Local governments should focus on partnerships — between local agencies, the private sector and the federal government — “to accomplish the goal that 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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