As emergency managers, adapting to change is at the core of what we do. There are efforts underway to shift the federal government's role in disaster management, which many of us welcome. However, the speed of change and the tendency to start with the removal instead of reform creates the potential for a gap in capability due to a disruption of critical programs and services. 

While our mission remains the same – to ensure that the communities and organizations we serve are prepared for, able to respond to, and mitigate disasters – the shifting landscape requires coordinated advocacy and action.

Call to Action - What You Can Do

IAEM has identified a Key List of potentially influential legislative members who may be able to urge the administration to slow down these changes.

For IAEM members in districts and state identified on the Key List:

1. Please conduct outreach and provide information and resources to elected representatives, senators, or governors for them to share with the White House. Draft an email to the Staff Contact for the listed leader asking them to contact the president. Download and use this letter template.
2. Before sending the email, use this Template to create an individualize letter, and attach the Letter to the President template to the email. The ask is for a letter to be sent to the President on this issue using the suggested template.
3. To ensure we remain coordinated in this effort, please forward any responses to IAEMHelp@iaem.com.

For IAEM members who do not see their delegation represented, we ask you to engage in the following ways:

1. Identify Programs at Risk in Your Community – Assess which federal programs your community relies on.
2. Engage Local & State Leaders & Lawmakers – Advocate for local-, state-, or regionally-funded alternatives to maintain local resilience capabilities currently supported in part or wholly by federal grant programs.
3. Continue to Share Your Story – Take every opportunity possible to share the value your EM program adds to your community through as many channels as possible. Speak at community meetings, post on your agency’s social media, or even ask to provide an update at your next town meeting.
4. Share success stories with other IAEM members through IAEM Connect.

BRIC - Action Needed Now!

On April 4, 2025, FEMA announced the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the cancellation of all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020–2023. The cancellation will result in the return or redirection of $882 million in unspent funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This represents not only a significant financial loss but also a strategic setback for our nation’s ability to build long-term community resilience against disasters.

Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) drafted a letter to the White House requesting the reinstatement of BRIC and is seeking co-signers.

Act today to encourage the reinstatement of BRIC. Visit the IAEM's BRIC Call to Action page to learn how.

Some Recent IAEM Efforts

• Jan. 27: IAEM-USA sent a formal letter to the White House supporting FEMA and the need for national reform. Read the Letter.
• Jan. 27: In-Person meeting with the Stafford Act Coalition. During February and March the GAC Director has continuted to attend and Stafford Act Coalition Meetings.
• Jan. 27: IAEM members collaborated with the National Association of Counties with joint in-person meetings with White House representatives.
• Jan. 27: IAEM-USA sent a formal letter to the White House supporting FEMA and the need for national reform. The letter was also sent to the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees.
• Jan. 31, Feb. 28, and Mar. 7: Virtual and in person meetings with the Acting FEMA Administrator.
• Feb. 12: Community & Member Engagement  Call to Action for Targeted Advocacy. It includes a guide for getting started. Download the Message and Call to Action.
• Feb: Local EMs and IAEM members in North Carolina met with the elected representatives who are appointed to the FEMA Review Council.
• Mar. 4: IAEM-USA President Carrie Speranza, CEM, testified as an expert witness at the House Homeland Security Committee’s Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee hearing on the Future of FEMA on March 4.
• Mar. 26: IAEM-USA 1st Vice President Josh Morton, CEM, led a small contingent of IAEM-USA members to participate in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill on March 26.
• Jan-Mar: Multiple media interviews have been completed with Rolling Stone, Homeland Security Today, Politico, Bloomberg News, LA Times, Politico, Wired, and E&E News.
• Jan-Mar: Weekly in-person or virtual meetings have been held with senior staff directors fro the majority party on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
• Jan-Mar: In-person and virtual meetings have been held with congressional members of the House Homeland Security Committee, Transportation and infrastructure Committee, and the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee.

Member-Only Updates

• On May 8, 2025, the IAEM-USA Government Affairs Committee opened its regular meeting to all IAEM members and experienced a record attendance of more than 370. The theme was “what we know, what we do not know, and what we are doing” regarding changes to FEMA, grants, and disaster response and recovery.
  
  IAEM Government Affairs Director Thad Huguley presented a timeline of all administrative actions that might affect change in disaster response, recovery, and pre-disaster mitigation. IAEM-USA President Carrie Speranza, CEM, provided an update on all activities that leadership, staff, and members have advanced, including visits with legislators and members of the administration, joint letters, advocacy campaigns, social media, inclusion in multiple news articles, and more. A Q & A session was held, and members were encouraged to continue contacting their local, federal, and state officials.
  
  Members may view the video and transcript HERE.

Upcoming Events and Efforts

June 25, 2025 - The Inaugural EM Hill Day - Stay tuned! Details will be coming soon!

August - National Emergency Management Awareness Month will include hometown visits.