FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Discusses Preparations for Hurricane Season

Strategic Insights -

As hurricane season officially begins on June 1, 2011, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate joins Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends" to discuss the agency's preparations and resources. Fugate reminds viewers that the agency has only $2 billion for disaster relief and will have to prioritize rebuilding efforts from previous disasters while also responding to new ones.

Key Takeaways:

  • FEMA has a tiered approach to disaster relief, with private insurance first, followed by SBA low-interest loans and FEMA grants.
  • The agency's focus is on initial response, with dollar figures for rebuilding to be determined later.
  • Fugate estimates that 2-3% of FEMA applications contain errors, which can result in duplication of benefits or requests for reimbursement.
  • The agency has procedures in place to minimize errors and work with applicants in hardship cases.
  • FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate joins the president for a briefing on the hurricane outlook, which is predicted to be worse than last year.
  • Fugate emphasizes that despite the forecast, the agency must be prepared for any land-falling hurricanes.

Statistics:

  • FEMA has only $2 billion for disaster relief.
  • The agency's error rate is approximately 2-3%.
  • Millions of dollars in duplicate benefits or reimbursement requests have been necessary due to errors in FEMA applications.

Sources:

  • Fox News Channel "Fox and Friends" interview with Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Federal News Service, Inc.