A White House review panel is seeking public input on experiences with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during disaster as part of a broader review of agency programs.
AASD encourages special districts to provide their feedback to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council – especially if a district has experienced a federally-declared disaster since January 2021 and has had direct interaction with Public Assistance/post-disaster recovery programs. Public comment is open through May 15, 2025.
The FEMA Review Council was established with a January 24, 2025, executive order and is tasked with reporting back to President Donald Trump on the “existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters occurring within the United States.” The Council sunsets in January 2026, when it will produce recommendations for “changes related to FEMA to best serve the national interest.”
The Council is posing five core questions as part of its public comment solicitation. Special districts providing their feedback are encouraged to answer these questions in five pages or less.
- Describe your experience with FEMA’s response to your request for assistance. Was FEMA’s response timely and efficient to assist in your recovery?
- Describe your overall experience with FEMA. Was your interaction with FEMA positive or negative? Please fully explain your experience.
- By what means did you apply for benefits—was it online, in person, or over the phone? Did you encounter any difficulties?
- Were local or state authorities or private groups able to provide assistance in a more timely or efficient way than FEMA? Please fully describe your experience.
- What recommendations would you like the Council to make?
Official guidelines for making your comment are here.
Address your Comment to:
Patrick Powers
Designated Federal Officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council
Office of Partnership and Engagement
Mailstop 0385
Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20032
Be sure to include in the heading of the comment document a reference to “Docket No. DHS-2025-0013”
Upload comment directly to the regulations.gov website here or email your comment to: FEMAreviewcouncil@hq.dhs.gov with subject line: “Docket No. DHS-2025-0013”