FSJA Red

FEMA confirms commitment to impartial disaster response

November 11, 2024

FEMA addresses employee misconduct following termination incident

A recent incident involving employee misconduct has led to termination and disciplinary review within FEMA.

This comes after a FEMA employee instructed her team not to assist homes displaying support for President-elect Trump, in direct opposition to FEMA’s core values, which mandate assistance to all individuals regardless of political affiliation.

Criswell underscored that this behavior does not reflect the agency’s commitment to providing unbiased support to disaster survivors.

Criswell stated: “This type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA, and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct.”

The statement reiterates the expectation that FEMA personnel uphold impartiality as part of their mission to aid communities affected by disasters across the United States.

Disciplinary measures include termination and referral

Following this incident, the employee involved has been terminated, and FEMA has referred the case to the Office of Special Counsel for further review.

This referral highlights FEMA’s adherence to accountability standards and its zero-tolerance approach to actions that compromise its mission.

Criswell emphasized FEMA’s dedication to maintaining impartial support in disaster response efforts.

The administrator clarified that FEMA’s disciplinary actions demonstrate a commitment to ethical conduct across all levels of the agency.

“We take our mission to help everyone before, during, and after disasters seriously,” Criswell noted, assuring the public of FEMA’s steadfast commitment to supporting all disaster survivors fairly.

Ongoing commitment to FEMA’s ethical standards

In her statement, Criswell reaffirmed FEMA’s dedication to impartiality and ethical integrity.

She noted the everyday commitment of FEMA’s 22,000 employees to serving communities without bias, acknowledging the sacrifices many make to support survivors of natural and man-made disasters.

The agency views this incident as an isolated case and stresses its continued focus on the welfare of disaster-affected populations.

FEMA’s corrective actions reflect the agency’s effort to preserve trust with the public.

Through enforcing clear ethical standards, FEMA seeks to prevent future violations and maintain its reputation as a reliable support system during emergencies.

FEMA upholds mission to serve all disaster survivors

As FEMA navigates this internal review, Criswell has reiterated her commitment to ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future.

She stated: “I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again.”

Her assurance signals FEMA’s ongoing work to strengthen its ethical practices and support for disaster survivors, reinforcing that the agency’s mission to aid those affected by disasters remains unwavering and inclusive.

FEMA confirms commitment to impartial disaster response: Summary

In a recent announcement, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed an incident of employee misconduct involving politically biased behavior, resulting in the termination of the employee involved and referral to the Office of Special Counsel.

Criswell stressed that this behavior contradicts FEMA’s core values, which are rooted in offering unbiased support to all disaster survivors.

She reassured the public of FEMA’s commitment to impartiality and ethical conduct, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to helping communities without discrimination.

FEMA continues to reinforce its standards, ensuring that its workforce aligns with its mission to serve all Americans in times of crisis.

Read Next

Subscribe Now

Subscribe