Why FEMA Stopped Firing Disaster Workers Ahead of a Major Winter Storm
Quick Summary
In a sudden reversal influenced by an impending major winter storm, FEMA has halted its plan to terminate disaster workers whose contracts were set to expire. This decision was confirmed in an internal email shortly after the Homeland Security Secretary visited FEMA headquarters for a storm briefing, and it comes after about 300 employees were let go earlier in the month with very few contract extensions. The abrupt change occurs amidst a significant, larger shake-up at the agency driven by the Trump administration, which has seen FEMA's workforce reduced by nearly 9%, or about 2,000 employees, since 2024 through layoffs and buyouts. This is all part of a controversial administration plan, first proposed in June 2025, to dismantle the federal agency and transfer its responsibilities to state governments. Critics have been vocal, expressing strong concerns that such a move would overwhelm state and local agencies during a major disaster by removing their primary federal support system.
Why did FEMA suddenly stop letting go of disaster workers?So, FEMA suddenly decided to not fire all those disaster workers after all. Good thing, too, since a huge winter storm is heading our way.An...
Why did FEMA suddenly stop letting go of disaster workers?So, FEMA suddenly decided to not fire all those disaster workers after all.
Good thing, too, since a huge winter storm is heading our way.An internal email from Thursday, which CNN got a copy of, confirmed the agency won't be letting go of employees whose contracts were about to run out.People familiar with the situation told CNN that the storm coming our way was a big factor in why things stopped so suddenly.Just this month, about 300 disaster workers got let go, and barely any of them had their contracts prolonged.The decision to keep staff on board happened just hours after Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, visited FEMA headquarters to get an update on the storm.Big changes are happening at FEMA, really shaking things up.This sudden change of plans happened right as the Trump administration was really pushing for a big shake-up at FEMA.A lot of people have left the agency, some because of layoffs and others who took buyouts.So, since 2024, FEMA lost about 2,000 employees.
That's almost 9% of everyone who works there, if you look at the federal numbers.The administration officials actually tossed out this idea, which is part of a bigger plan, way back in June 2025.The idea was to get rid of FEMA in its current form and have the states take over its jobs.Some folks are really worried this idea would just swamp state and local agencies if a big disaster hit, since it means getting rid of the federal agency that usually helps out.
They've been pretty vocal with their criticism about it.