WASHINGTON — Ken Pagurek, head of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue branch, resigned on July 21 amid growing frustration over the agency’s direction and delays in disaster response.
His departure follows a nearly three-day delay in deploying FEMA rescue teams to catastrophic flooding in central Texas, CNN reported, a holdup reportedly caused by bureaucratic obstacles from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA.
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According to two sources, Pagurek told colleagues the Texas response delay was the final straw after months of concerns over the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken the agency.
After more than a decade with FEMA’s search and rescue system, including a year as chief, Pagurek said in his resignation letter obtained by CNN that he’s returning to the Philadelphia Fire Department. The letter does not mention the Texas flooding.
“This decision was not made lightly, and after much reflection and prayer, it is the right path for me at this time,” Pagurek wrote. “I have been continually inspired by the unwavering dedication, unmatched courage, and deep-seated commitment we share for saving lives and bringing hope in the face of devastation.”
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its handling of the Texas floods, saying Secretary Noem initially deployed Coast Guard and Border Patrol teams, and later approved FEMA resources as needed.
In a statement about Pagurek’s resignation, a DHS spokesperson defended the department’s fiscal responsibility: “It is laughable that a career public employee, who claims to serve the American people, would choose to resign over our refusal to hastily approve a six-figure deployment contract without basic financial oversight.”
As reported by CNN, FEMA leaders were delayed in deploying key resources during the early hours of the Texas floods due to a new policy from Secretary Noem requiring her personal approval for all contracts and grants over $100,000.
FEMA has launched a new internal review process to accelerate approval of “lifesaving” resources during disasters, according to internal memos obtained by CNN. The agency recently created the Disaster Funding Adjudication Task Force to handle and monitor urgent contracts and mission requests during emergencies.
