President Obama Proposes W. Craig Fugate to Lead FEMA

March 6, 2009
President Barack Obama on March 4 announced his intent to nominate the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Craig Fugate, to be his FEMA administrator.

On the nomination of Fugate, Obama said, "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida’s emergency manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I’m confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.”

Fugate is the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, where he oversees 138 full-time staff members who coordinate disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state’s 67 counties and local governments. In September 2003, under Fugate’s leadership, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first state emergency management program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

Prior to working at the state level, Fugate had a 15-year career in local government, including positions of volunteer firefighter, paramedic, fire rescue lieutenant and emergency manager for Alachua County, Fla. The International Association of Emergency Managers United States Council (IAEM-USA), the nation’s largest emergency management professional association, said it supports Fugate’s nomination. “We are pleased that a seasoned and experienced professional emergency manager has been tapped to lead the nation’s emergency management agency,” stated IAEM-USA President Russ Decker, CEM. “We believe that this move is a strong and clear statement of the importance that the Administration places on having a fully functional FEMA led by top-notch professionals. IAEM looks forward to working with Fugate and FEMA to provide safety and security to all citizens and communities.”
About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!