FEMA Search and Rescue Chief Resigns Amid Texas Flood Response Frustration
Ken Pagurek, the head of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue branch, resigned after a delayed response to the Texas floods, citing frustration with the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency. The delay in deploying FEMA’s resources was caused by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s requirement for personal approval of contracts over $100,000. This bureaucratic hurdle caused significant delays in the delivery of essential resources. FEMA is now rolling out a new internal review process aimed at speeding up the approval of “lifesaving” resources during disasters, although it is unclear if this will solve the initial problems.
John Q. Hosedrinker