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After a long hiatus, the EOC Podcast returns with the first installment in a timely new series examining FEMA's past, present, and uncertain future. As the emergency management community grapples with unprecedented federal changes, understanding FEMA's evolution provides critical context for navigating what comes next.
From its formation in 1979 under President Carter to its current challenges, FEMA's journey reflects America's evolving approach to disasters. We trace how an agency initially focused on nuclear war preparation transformed through failures during Hurricane Andrew, achieved excellence under James Lee Witt in the 1990s, lost momentum after being absorbed into Homeland Security post-9/11, faced its darkest hour during Hurricane Katrina, and gradually rebuilt its capabilities leading up to COVID-19.
This comprehensive look at FEMA's trajectory reveals much more than organizational history – it illuminates the critical importance of federal emergency support as communities nationwide face increasingly frequent and severe disasters. As host Jeff Perkins notes, "FEMA is the E in the PACE plan" – the emergency option when all other resources are exhausted. With training programs disrupted, staffing reduced, and fundamental questions about federal disaster support unresolved, emergency managers must understand where we've been to navigate the road ahead. Join us for this essential conversation about the agency that serves as America's disaster safety net, and stay tuned for future episodes diving deeper into specific aspects of FEMA's operations and the challenges facing our profession.

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