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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell to ensure the agency is prepared for a potential workforce shortage ahead of the 2021 hurricane season. FEMA, which is currently deployed to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic, is also tasked with the crisis on the southern border. Hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends November 30. For more information on how to prepare for hurricane season, click here.

The Senators request a response to the following questions:  

• What is the state of FEMA’s current workforce posture? How many employees does the agency have on hand for emergencies?
• How does FEMA intend to handle a workforce shortage that could arise in the event of hurricanes and natural disasters?
• What steps has FEMA taken to ensure state and local governments are as prepared as possible for the upcoming hurricane season? 

The full text of the letter is below.  

Dear Administrator Criswell: 

We are grateful for the work that you and the employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) do to keep Americans safe and respond to disasters.  The last year presented significant challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic demanded an immense investment of time, resources, and staffing power.  All the while, natural disasters continued their course. While FEMA performed admirably under the difficult circumstances the past year presented, we are concerned by the strain that has been placed on FEMA and the potential impact on preparation and readiness for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1. 

FEMA has provided critical resources, expertise, and manpower to state and local governments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  This work continues as FEMA operates and assists in vaccination sites across the country to help reopen our economy fully and safely.  As you are aware, the Biden Administration has also activated FEMA to respond to the ongoing crisis on the southern border.  These demands add to FEMA’s heavy load that included significant wildfires in the West, severe weather in Texas, and tornadoes throughout the country. 

Given the extensive demands placed on FEMA’s workforce and capabilities, we ask that you provide Congress with information on the following questions: 

• What is the state of FEMA’s current workforce posture? How many employees does the agency have on hand for emergencies?
• How does FEMA intend to handle a workforce shortage that could arise in the event of hurricanes and natural disasters?
• What steps has FEMA taken to ensure state and local governments are as prepared as possible for the upcoming hurricane season? 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

ANTES DE LA TEMPORADA DE HURACANES, RUBIO BUSCA ASEGURAR QUE FEMA ESTÉ PREPARADA PARA LA ESCASEZ LABORAL

Washington, D.C. — Los senadores estadounidenses Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tim Scott (R-SC) y Roger Wicker (R-MS) le enviaron una carta a la administradora de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) Deanne Criswell, para asegurarse que la agencia esté preparada para una posible escasez de mano de obra antes de la temporada de huracanes del 2021. FEMA, que actualmente está desplegada para ayudar con la pandemia del COVID-19, también tiene la tarea de resolver la crisis en la frontera sur. La temporada de huracanes comienza el 1 de junio y termina el 30 de noviembre. Para obtener más información sobre cómo prepararse para la temporada de huracanes, haga clic aquí.

Los senadores solicitaron respuestas a las siguientes preguntas:

• ¿Cuál es la situación actual de la fuerza laboral de FEMA? ¿Cuántos empleados tiene la agencia disponibles para emergencias?
• ¿Cómo piensa FEMA manejar la escasez de mano de obra que podría surgir en caso de huracanes y desastres naturales?
• ¿Qué medidas ha tomado FEMA para garantizar que los gobiernos estatales y locales estén lo más preparados posibles para la próxima temporada de huracanes?

El texto de la carta en inglés está aquí.