Storm Brewing Over Lack of FEMA Leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, demanding that key vacancies at FEMA be filled immediately.
“FEMA has been without a permanent Director for 7 months. Not knowing who will be in charge with the 2006 hurricane season less than sixty days away is alarming,” said Rep. Thompson.
“Experts announced this week that they expect a busier than normal hurricane season. The chance that the densely-populated East Coast will be hit is twice as normal. The Department must find someone immediately to take the helm at FEMA,” said Rep. Thompson.
Reports indicate that seven individuals have already declined the FEMA Director position, and that morale at the Agency is low, with acting Director Paulison being relegated to house-sitting the agency while a permanent director is sought. Outside its headquarters, three of FEMA’s ten regional directors are also serving in an acting capacity, two of which are on the East Coast. Acting Regional Director Kenneth Horak coordinates the New England area while Acting Regional Director Patricia Arcuri manages the mid-Atlantic region.
“It’s no wonder the agency is experiencing dissention within its ranks because its employees don’t know where to find consistent leadership. Chief Paulison, who came in to help the agency in its darkest hours, has been kept in a holding pattern while several others have been offered the director’s position. Staffing problems like this one exist throughout the agency,” said Rep. Thompson.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 226-2616.
