FEMA under fire
Congress signed a continuing resolution that provides the agency’s Disaster Relief Fund with an additional $20 billion before next year’s budget is approved.
Response
A Tale of Two Hurricanes Finds More That Differs Than Is the Same
“Hurricanes no longer hit the coastline and then die,” said Beth Zimmerman, who led disaster operations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Obama administration, and is now a senior executive adviser with IEM, an emergency management consultant firm.
IEM Donates $100,000 to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts in North Carolina and Florida
October 14, 2024, Morrisville, NC – As part of our commitment to community resilience and recovery, IEM International, Inc., a recognized leader in emergency management and disaster recovery, donated $100,000 to state-led hurricane relief funds in North Carolina and Florida.
IEM Recognized as a “Best Place to Work” and “Best & Brightest” Company in 2024
October 10, 2024, Morrisville, NC – IEM International, Inc., a recognized leader in government management consulting, is pleased to announce that it was selected as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Baton Rouge for the tenth consecutive year and was honored as one of the 2024 “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation.”
Disinfo, lack of cash complicate storm response
POLITICO – FEMA officials have sought to reassure the public that the agency has enough money to meet its “life-saving” responsibilities. But Elizabeth Zimmerman, who ran FEMA’s disaster response office in the Obama administration, said Washington’s ability to pay for recovery after the hurricanes remains “a big concern.”
How misinformation and conspiracies are hampering Hurricane Helene recovery efforts
inews, October 8, 2024 – “When you’re not able to communicate with each other, it’s always very difficult to be able to get the word in, especially while the disaster is still continuing to impact,” says Zimmerman, now senior executive adviser at IEM, a North Carolina-based global consultancy firm.
US disaster programs are teetering. Milton could topple them.
POLITICO Energy, October 7, 2024 – Washington’s ability to pay for recovering from the back-to-back disasters is “a big concern,” said Elizabeth Zimmerman, who ran FEMA’s disaster response office in the Obama administration. She added, “It could be very devastating to the financial aspects of what the federal government has.”
As Major Hurricane Approaches Florida, FEMA Faces Severe Staffing Shortage
The New York Times, October 8, 2024 – It can also pull staff away from long-term recovery operations, such as helping communities rebuild infrastructure with federal money, according to Beth Zimmerman, who led disaster operations for FEMA during the Obama administration.
National Disaster Resilience Conference to Open November 20
The roundtable panelists include: Bryan Koon, President and CEO – IEM/FLASH Board Director.
After Flooding, FEMA Aid Is Arriving. But Some Are Still on Their Own.
The agency is responsible for ensuring that supplies like bottled water are stockpiled and available, according to Beth Zimmerman, who managed disaster response for FEMA during the Obama administration. But distributing those supplies, she said, was the job of state and local officials, and aid groups.
