WASHINGTON — A group of FEMA employees has released a declaration and petition to Congress, raising concerns that recent changes within the agency could hinder its ability to respond to disasters, and support state and local partners.
The document, titled the “Katrina Declaration and Petition to Congress,” was issued on Aug. 25, just days before the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It outlines six areas of opposition, including staffing reductions, program cuts and delays in mission assignments, which employees say could weaken disaster preparedness and response nationwide.
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The letter, published by Stand Up for Science, a nonprofit organization formed in early 2025 following federal cuts to research funding and scientific programs, states the employees hope the warnings “come in time to prevent not only another national catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, but the effective dissolution of FEMA itself and the abandonment of the American people such an event would represent.”
Concerns over reduced disaster response capacity
According to the declaration, FEMA employees say recent policy shifts have slowed the agency’s ability to support local responders during major incidents. The document cites delays in July’s flooding response in Kerrville, Texas, where mission assignments were reportedly held up for up to 72 hours. FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue branch chief later resigned, referencing those delays.
The declaration also criticizes staff reassignments from FEMA to other federal agencies, a hiring freeze and voluntary workforce reductions, which employees say have reduced disaster response capacity. One-third of FEMA’s full-time staff have left the agency in 2025, the document states.
Impacts on training and preparedness programs
FEMA workers also voiced opposition to changes affecting preparedness initiatives. Programs such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the National Fire Academy, and the Youth Preparedness Council were cited as examples of resources that have been scaled back or eliminated.
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The declaration states that reducing support for preparedness initiatives limits the ability of state, local, tribal and territorial partners to effectively respond to disasters.
Mitigation efforts were also highlighted. FEMA employees say the elimination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the pause on Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding undermine efforts to reduce future disaster impacts.
Petition to Congress
The declaration petitions Congress to protect FEMA from what employees describe as interference and funding restrictions. Requested actions under the Lloyd-La Follette Act (5 USC §7211 include:
- Establishing FEMA as a cabinet-level independent agency
- Protecting FEMA’s mission authority from outside interference
- Safeguarding employees from politically motivated firings
- Demanding transparency on future workforce and program reductions
The declaration concludes with a dedication to disaster survivors, first responders and public servants who support communities before, during and after emergencies.
“We dedicate this Katrina Declaration and Petition to 1) every life lost from disasters, 2) to the survivors who endured and rebuilt, 3) to every first responder and public servant who places service above self, and 4) to all the federal partners who serve alongside us to deliver our mission. Their sacrifices and courage strengthen our commitment to speak the truth, sound the alarm, and defend our mission of helping people before, during and after disasters,” the declaration reads.
FEMA employees are calling on Congress to make FEMA a cabinet-level independent agency. Do you think this change would improve support for first responders during disasters? Why or why not?”
