The missing thanks to FEMA employees
The recent floods are the latest occasion for people to see the impact that FEMA makes during natural disasters. There are 1200 FEMA employees on the ground in North Carolina, initially to help with direct disaster relief but more importantly in the days and weeks ahead to help people get access to disaster assistance from the government. People can apply for immediate $750 emergency assistance, and for more extensive aid for rebuilding, using a downloadable app FEMA has fielded, by phone, or in person at a disaster relief center.
Obviously, FEMA is not the only federal entity helping out here. National guard and the Coast Guard are there as well. And, in a great American tradition, there are many volunteers on site, including people coming from outside the state (I read something in the Boston Globe about Bostonians who were travelling there.) But the FEMA employees are an important part of the effort. Sadly, there were reports today of armed thugs (self-described as a “militia”) attacking FEMA workers trying to help people. Former president Trump fueled these attacks by claiming FEMA was spending money to feed migrants. This is a sad commentary on political polarization in the country.
But I was also disappointed at the statement by President Biden. After thanking the Army and the Coast Guard for their efforts, he concluded by saying, “I want to thank you again to our brave first responders, powerline workers, state and local officials, and neighbors helping neighbors and so many more.”
No mention of FEMA civil servants. The only reference to FEMA as an organization came in a passing reference earlier in the statement about FEMA “clearing debris,” followed by several paragraphs on the Army and Coast Guard.
Needless to say, it is not popular to say nice things about civil servants. All the more reason, in my view, for President Biden to say something. Not doing so was a missed opportunity.
I at least want to say thank you to our FEMA feds.