WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addressed the nation’s emergency managers today at the 2021 International Association of Emergency Managers conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. This was her first appearance as the FEMA Administrator at the event since she joined the agency in April of 2021.
Administrator Criswell’s speech focused on how climate change is transforming the disaster landscape, the ways FEMA is charting a course to combat climate change and how the role of the emergency manager is more important than ever.
“Across the country – and around the world – our communities are now facing hazards that have been historically low-probability events. The impacts are greater, do more damage and last longer,” said Administrator Criswell. “We need to broaden our reach and stretch our coordination across more organizations and neighborhoods. We need to leverage the lessons of the past, while also looking toward the future.”
The Administrator discussed how the field of emergency management is undergoing immense change, but the unending commitment to protecting communities remains the top priority. Climate change continues to present risks which are greater and deadlier than any other hazard the nation’s faced. In turn, emergency managers must adapt business practices to pave a way forward that will protect our communities now and in the future.
Visit FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell's Remarks to the 2021 IAEM Conference to read the full transcript of the speech given earlier today.
Last week, Administrator Criswell spoke to the National Emergency Management Association’s annual conference as well. To read the full transcript of her speech last week, visit FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell's Remarks to the NEMA 2021 Annual Forum | FEMA.gov.