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President Trump appoints new members to FEMA Review Council

The bipartisan FEMA Review Council, now co-chaired by Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth, will lead efforts in reforming and streamlining the nation’s emergency response system

FEMA Building Exterior

Washington, DC USA; August 3, 2024: Logo and FEMA lettering on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters Building

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has appointed several new members to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council, a bipartisan body responsible for overhauling and streamlining the nation’s emergency management and disaster response systems. The council will be co-chaired by Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

According to a press release, the FEMA Review Council’s mission is to improve operational efficiency and ensure that FEMA delivers swift, effective, and purpose-driven relief to Americans during times of crisis.

The appointed members are:

  • Co-Chair: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
  • Co-Chair: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
  • Greg Abbott, governor, state of Texas
  • Phil Bryant, former governor, state of Mississippi
  • Jane Castor, mayor, City of Tampa, Florida
  • Mark Cooper, former chief of staff, governor John Bel Edwards
  • Rosie Cordero-Stutz, sheriff, Miami-Dade County
  • Evan Greenberg, CEO, Chubb Limited
  • Kevin Guthrie, executive director, Florida Division of Emergency Management
  • W. Nim Kidd, chief, Texas Division of Emergency Management
  • Michael Whatley, chairman, Republican National Committee
  • Glenn Youngkin, governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Region 9 administrator and two-time acting administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

On Jan. 24, 2025, Trump established the Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency through Executive Order 14180. The FEMA Review Council is tasked with advising the president — through the National Security Advisor, the Homeland Security Advisor and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget — on FEMA’s current capacity to effectively and impartially respond to disasters in the United States. The council will also recommend reforms to ensure FEMA serves the national interest as efficiently as possible.

From natural disasters to homeland security, FEMA’s development tells the story of resilience, adaptation and innovation in emergency management
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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.