1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,860 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:06,340 You know, we always like to dive deep into weather topics, 3 00:00:06,340 --> 00:00:09,200 but today we're kind of going off the beaten path, 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,700 thinking about something that really affects everyone, 5 00:00:11,700 --> 00:00:14,040 especially with all the crazy weather we've had. 6 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:17,000 We're gonna talk disaster preparedness. 7 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:17,840 All right. 8 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:19,040 And to really break it down, 9 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:20,880 we've got an expert in disaster response 10 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:22,040 and recovery with us. 11 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:23,360 Happy to be here. 12 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,080 So today's episode comes from a question 13 00:00:25,080 --> 00:00:26,840 that's been making the rounds lately. 14 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:27,680 Okay. 15 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:29,520 What if FEMA? 16 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:30,360 FEMA? 17 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,480 The Federal Emergency Management Agency 18 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:34,800 just disappeared, poof, gone. 19 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:35,640 Vanished. 20 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:39,040 Could states handle huge disasters all on their own? 21 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:40,600 Oh, that's a good question. 22 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:41,920 The answer might surprise you. 23 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,080 Yeah, it might. 24 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,000 So before we get ahead of ourselves, 25 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,200 can you tell us what exactly FEMA does 26 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:48,560 when a disaster happens? 27 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:52,640 So think of FEMA as like the nation's emergency lifeline. 28 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,480 You know, in a hurricane or wildfire, earthquake, 29 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,880 or any big disaster overwhelms the state. 30 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:00,200 FEMA steps in. 31 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:01,040 Okay. 32 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,680 They coordinate the whole federal response 33 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:08,680 and they bring financial aid, supplies, logistical support. 34 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:09,640 The whole shebang. 35 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:11,080 A whole nine yards. 36 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,320 So they don't like take over. 37 00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:15,160 You know, I've heard people say that too, 38 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:18,120 that FEMA just swoops in and takes control. 39 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:18,960 Exactly. 40 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:20,160 That's actually not true. 41 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:21,000 Okay. 42 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:21,920 What they do is they work closely 43 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:23,720 with state and local governments. 44 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:25,280 Oh, so everybody's on the same page. 45 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,080 Right, to make sure the resources are used properly. 46 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:28,840 Okay. 47 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:31,040 So for instance, Hurricane Ian FEMA 48 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,080 worked with Florida to set up centers 49 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:35,880 to give out food and water. 50 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:36,840 Right, the essentials. 51 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:38,440 To the people who needed it the most. 52 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:39,280 Yeah. 53 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,040 And with those wildfires in Maui, 54 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:43,440 they teamed up with agencies in Hawaii 55 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:46,720 to give people temporary housing and financial help. 56 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:48,040 Okay, that makes a lot more sense. 57 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:48,880 Yeah. 58 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:50,480 So they're not like calling all the shots. 59 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:51,320 Right. 60 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:52,160 More like. 61 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:53,000 Support. 62 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:53,840 Yeah, backup. 63 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:54,680 Yeah. 64 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:55,520 And making sure everyone's coordinated. 65 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:56,360 Exactly. 66 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:57,560 They're there to help when things get really rough. 67 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,200 All right, so let's play that what if game. 68 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:00,040 Okay. 69 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,720 Let's say FEMA is gone, 70 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:03,560 vanished. 71 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,960 What happens when disaster strikes? 72 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:06,960 It wouldn't be good. 73 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:07,800 Yeah. 74 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:09,000 And it would affect every state differently. 75 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:09,840 Okay. 76 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:10,920 Think about those states that get hit a lot, 77 00:02:10,920 --> 00:02:12,600 like Louisiana and Florida. 78 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:13,440 Right. 79 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,160 Every time a hurricane hits, 80 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:17,840 they're looking at huge costs over and over. 81 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:18,680 Should recover. 82 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:20,680 Yeah, recovery would take so long, 83 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,000 it would really set them back in the long run. 84 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:24,720 Makes sense, those places get hit hard. 85 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:25,560 Yeah. 86 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,120 But what about states that don't see big disasters 87 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:28,960 all the time? 88 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:30,680 The smaller states, 89 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,560 especially those without a lot of resources, 90 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,200 they probably have the hardest time 91 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:37,440 because they just wouldn't have the money 92 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,640 or the infrastructure to handle a big response 93 00:02:40,640 --> 00:02:41,960 by themselves. 94 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:46,560 Lynn Budd, who runs Wyoming's office of Homeland Security, 95 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,240 she said they depend a lot on FEMA, 96 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:53,080 trying to do what FEMA does at the state level. 97 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:54,440 Yeah. 98 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:55,920 That would be really tough. 99 00:02:55,920 --> 00:02:58,160 So it's not just about knowing what to do. 100 00:02:58,160 --> 00:02:59,000 Right. 101 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,800 It's about having what you need to do it. 102 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,760 And even states that think they can handle it, 103 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:06,280 might find themselves in over their heads 104 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,800 if a really, really big disaster happens. 105 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:09,640 Exactly. 106 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:12,720 Like the winter storm that messed up Texas in 2021, 107 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:15,880 their power went out, water system shut down. 108 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:16,720 It was bad. 109 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:18,400 It was a full blown crisis. 110 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,560 FEMA gave them millions in aid and a ton of supplies. 111 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:23,400 Right. 112 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,480 Do you think Texas could have handled that on their own? 113 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,800 Maybe, but it would have been a lot slower 114 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,720 and a lot harder for everyone. 115 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:33,880 Okay, so no FEMA equals trouble. 116 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:34,720 Got it. 117 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:35,560 Being trouble. 118 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,160 Are there ways around it? 119 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:38,960 Could states work together? 120 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:41,440 Well, that's the million dollar question. 121 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:43,360 And that's what a lot of people are trying to figure out. 122 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:44,200 Right. 123 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,640 Maybe states could team up, 124 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,320 share resources, help each other out. 125 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:50,680 Like a disaster response team. 126 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:51,920 Exactly. 127 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,040 But even then, it would be hard to coordinate everything. 128 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:55,880 Right. 129 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:58,280 And it wouldn't be as effective as a nationwide system. 130 00:03:58,280 --> 00:03:59,120 That makes sense. 131 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:00,640 And then there's the National Guard. 132 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:03,160 They're really important for that initial response. 133 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,720 Right, like search and rescue, clearing things out. 134 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:06,560 Exactly. 135 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,160 But they're not meant for the long haul. 136 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:10,040 The long term stuff. 137 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,040 Yeah, like financial aid or rebuilding homes. 138 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:14,640 Right, they don't have the resources for that. 139 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:15,760 No, they don't have the capacity. 140 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,040 So just shifting things around isn't really a solution. 141 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:20,440 It's not a quick fix. 142 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,320 Okay, so what about nonprofits? 143 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:24,160 Okay. 144 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:26,200 Community groups, can we just rely on them? 145 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,320 Those groups are amazing. 146 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:29,680 Oh yeah, they do amazing work. 147 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:30,960 They really do. 148 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,920 But they can't do what FEMA does on such a large scale. 149 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:35,480 Right, they don't have the resources. 150 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,360 And imagine if every time there was a disaster, 151 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,120 Congress had to approve the relief effort. 152 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,400 Oh, that would take forever. 153 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:43,720 Talk about a gridlock. 154 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:45,480 Yeah, things would grind to a halt. 155 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:46,600 Exactly. 156 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,680 FEMA has resources that are already in place. 157 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:50,520 Ready to go. 158 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:51,360 Ready to go. 159 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:52,200 Right. 160 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,160 Without it, it would all be so slow and complicated. 161 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:57,280 Okay, so it sounds like FEMA, 162 00:04:57,280 --> 00:04:58,800 even though it's not perfect, 163 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:00,200 feels a really important role. 164 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:01,040 It does. 165 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:02,240 But I have to bring up something else 166 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:03,280 that's been in the news. 167 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:04,120 Okay. 168 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,120 The Homeland Security Secretary 169 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:10,640 has been saying that they wanna get rid of FEMA. 170 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:11,880 Yeah, that's right. 171 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,440 And that reflects something we hear a lot, 172 00:05:14,440 --> 00:05:16,760 especially from some conservatives, 173 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:19,120 that FEMA is too slow. 174 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:20,680 Too much bureaucracy. 175 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,720 Right, and that local officials 176 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,240 should have more say in how the money is used. 177 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:26,240 That's right. 178 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,520 Are those fair criticisms? 179 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:32,040 Well, like any large organization, 180 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:33,960 FEMA has had its challenges. 181 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:34,800 Oh, okay. 182 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:36,720 But it's really important to look at the facts. 183 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:37,560 Right. 184 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:38,880 And not believe misinformation. 185 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,640 Because things can get pretty crazy after a disaster. 186 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:42,480 Absolutely. 187 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:43,960 People start saying all kinds of things. 188 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,320 Like during Hurricane Helene, 189 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,680 there were rumors that FEMA was out of money. 190 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:49,520 I remember that. 191 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,200 Because they were giving it all to undocumented immigrants. 192 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:53,120 That's not true at all. 193 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:54,680 No, those were just rumors. 194 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:56,760 Wow, people come up with some crazy stuff. 195 00:05:56,760 --> 00:05:59,440 It shows why it's so important to think critically. 196 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:00,280 Yes. 197 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:01,200 And check the facts. 198 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,120 Especially when things are chaotic. 199 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:03,960 Exactly. 200 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:07,000 So even if there are valid criticisms of FEMA. 201 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:07,840 Right. 202 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:10,720 Is getting rid of it really possible. 203 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:11,880 Not really. 204 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:12,720 Oh. 205 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:13,560 FEMA is the law. 206 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:15,200 Oh, so it's written into law. 207 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:16,880 Yeah, to get rid of it. 208 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:18,640 Congress would have to take action. 209 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:19,800 And that's not very likely. 210 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,280 Especially with the way things are politically right now. 211 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:25,240 OK, so we've established that getting rid of FEMA 212 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,040 probably isn't happening anytime soon. 213 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:27,440 Right. 214 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,160 But what are the key takeaways here? 215 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:29,600 OK. 216 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:31,720 Why should people care about all of this? 217 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:35,920 The biggest point is that FEMA is crucial for disaster 218 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:36,560 response. 219 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:37,560 OK. 220 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,680 Especially as we see more and more extreme weather 221 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:41,880 because of climate change. 222 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:42,200 Right. 223 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,960 The alternatives we talked about just aren't as effective. 224 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,200 And they could have some unintended consequences. 225 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:48,800 Exactly. 226 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:50,640 So here's a question for everyone listening. 227 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:51,160 All right. 228 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:55,160 How ready is your state for a major disaster? 229 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:59,520 Could you really get by without federal aid? 230 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:00,960 It's something to think about. 231 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:02,400 That is a great question. 232 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:02,880 It is. 233 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,000 And one we should all be asking ourselves. 234 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,280 Absolutely. 235 00:07:06,280 --> 00:07:08,160 Thanks for breaking all of this down for us. 236 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:08,760 No problem. 237 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:09,840 It's been really helpful. 238 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:10,800 Glad to help. 239 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:11,720 And remember, folks. 240 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:12,560 Yes. 241 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,360 If you want to stay updated on all the latest 242 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:16,480 weather news and analysis, you can 243 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:20,080 follow meteorologist Rob Jones on Instagram. 244 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:20,960 Meteorologist. 245 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,320 You know, TikTok, TV meteorologists. 246 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,800 And on YouTube, follow Rob Jones' Hurricane. 247 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:26,720 That's right. 248 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,040 Where you can also find the Meteorology Matters podcast 249 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:29,760 playlist. 250 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,720 We'll be back after a quick break. 251 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,200 It really is something we need to talk about. 252 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,600 Especially with climate change and its effects. 253 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:37,480 Exactly. 254 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:38,000 It's interesting. 255 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,440 When we think about weather and climate change, 256 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:43,640 hurricanes and wildfires usually come to mind first. 257 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,520 But the impact of those disasters, 258 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,680 it goes way beyond the immediate effects. 259 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:49,480 It really does. 260 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,120 Those wildfires in Maui, it wasn't just the fires 261 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:54,040 themselves. 262 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,200 It was people losing their homes for a long time. 263 00:07:57,200 --> 00:08:00,680 The economic damage, the emotional toll. 264 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:01,480 And the whole community. 265 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:02,520 The whole island. 266 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:05,560 FEMA was there helping with all of that. 267 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:07,640 It's like a chain reaction. 268 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:08,080 It is. 269 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,280 One event leads to a whole bunch of other challenges. 270 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:11,080 Outcast gate. 271 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,120 And speaking of chain reactions, 272 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,240 let's talk about money. 273 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:19,480 Without FEMA, wouldn't states have to pay for everything? 274 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:23,240 Right talking billions of dollars for disaster relief. 275 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:24,120 Billions. 276 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:25,560 And that's just the initial response. 277 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:26,280 Exactly. 278 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,360 And there's long term recovery, fixing infrastructure, 279 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,520 getting the economy back on track. 280 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,760 It adds up so fast for states that are already 281 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,440 struggling financially. 282 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:38,880 It could be a catastrophe. 283 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:40,360 It's like a double whammy. 284 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:41,600 The disaster itself. 285 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,320 And then the financial fallout that lasts for years. 286 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:45,960 For years. 287 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,400 Couldn't states use their emergency funds? 288 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:49,720 Well. 289 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:51,520 Don't they have money set aside for this kind of thing? 290 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,320 They do, but it's usually not a lot. 291 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:54,120 Oh. 292 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:55,560 It's like your own savings. 293 00:08:55,560 --> 00:08:57,320 You might have some for emergencies, 294 00:08:57,320 --> 00:08:59,640 but a big unexpected expense. 295 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:02,520 It's like a car accident or medical bills. 296 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:03,040 Yeah. 297 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:04,280 Could wipe it out pretty quick. 298 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:05,360 That's a good way to put it. 299 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:05,880 Yeah. 300 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:07,960 So states might have a little bit saved up. 301 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:08,520 Right. 302 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,520 But not enough to cover a really big disaster. 303 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:12,080 Exactly. 304 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,160 And these aren't one time costs either. 305 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:14,640 No. 306 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:17,080 Climate change is making these events happen more often. 307 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:18,480 More often, more intense. 308 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,160 So states could be facing these massive costs again and again. 309 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:23,760 That's not sustainable. 310 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,720 It sounds like a recipe for disaster. 311 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:26,600 It really does. 312 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:27,280 Pun intended. 313 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:27,880 Yeah. 314 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,560 So if FEMA disappeared, there would 315 00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:33,280 be a huge gap in our ability to respond. 316 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:34,320 A huge gap. 317 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:36,280 A big hole in our safety net. 318 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:36,880 I like that. 319 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:37,920 A gaping hole. 320 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:40,000 And that would have real consequences. 321 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:40,600 Oh, yeah. 322 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:41,960 Not just for states. 323 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:43,560 But for people in communities. 324 00:09:43,560 --> 00:09:44,240 Exactly. 325 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:48,200 Who would help people who lost their homes find a place to stay. 326 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:48,600 Right. 327 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,000 Who would help businesses get back on their feet. 328 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:51,240 Yeah. 329 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:55,160 Who would make sure people have food, water, and medicine. 330 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:56,400 Important stuff. 331 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:58,600 It's hard to imagine trying to figure all that out. 332 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,560 Without an agency like FEMA. 333 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:01,960 It would be chaotic. 334 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,360 And we can't forget about the human side of things. 335 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:05,200 No, we can't. 336 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,240 Disasters are incredibly stressful. 337 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:09,120 People go through so much. 338 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:09,560 They do. 339 00:10:09,560 --> 00:10:11,600 FEMA provides more than just stuff. 340 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:12,080 Yeah. 341 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,840 They also offer emotional support and counseling. 342 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:15,320 Right. 343 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,360 To help people cope and rebuild. 344 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:18,600 That's so important. 345 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:19,320 It is. 346 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:21,240 We often focus on the physical damage. 347 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:21,760 Uh-huh. 348 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:25,000 But the psychological impact can be just as bad. 349 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,360 Absolutely. 350 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,480 We've talked a lot about the downsides of not having FEMA. 351 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:30,440 Right. 352 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:33,520 But are there any potential benefits? 353 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:34,200 Hmm. 354 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:34,960 Interesting question. 355 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:36,280 Even if they weren't intentional. 356 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:36,840 Yeah. 357 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,360 Are there any good things that could come out of this? 358 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:41,120 One thing that might happen. 359 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:41,880 OK. 360 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:43,360 And it might not be a good thing. 361 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:43,720 Yeah. 362 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:46,640 Is that states might have to become more self-reliant. 363 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:47,840 When it comes to disasters. 364 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:48,240 Yeah. 365 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:50,640 If they knew they couldn't count on the federal government. 366 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:51,120 Right. 367 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,840 They might start doing more to prepare on their own. 368 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,400 Like a sink or swim situation? 369 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:56,000 Kind of. 370 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,000 It could push them to invest more. 371 00:10:58,000 --> 00:10:59,080 In what kind of things? 372 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,360 In things like early warning systems. 373 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:01,840 OK. 374 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:03,480 Evacuation plans. 375 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,320 Building codes that can handle extreme weather. 376 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:07,560 So they're ready for anything. 377 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:08,280 Right. 378 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,040 It might also encourage more cooperation between states. 379 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:11,520 Yeah. 380 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,600 If they realize they need to work together. 381 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:14,320 To fill the gap. 382 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:14,880 Exactly. 383 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:16,960 So there might be some positive outcomes. 384 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:17,680 Potentially. 385 00:11:17,680 --> 00:11:19,760 In terms of preparedness and collaboration. 386 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:20,520 Uh-huh. 387 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:22,400 But wouldn't there be a cost? 388 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:23,320 Oh, absolutely. 389 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,440 Wouldn't it create a huge difference between states 390 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:28,760 that are ready and those that aren't? 391 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:29,360 It would. 392 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:30,920 States with more money. 393 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:31,440 Yeah. 394 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,600 Would be able to adapt and bounce back much faster. 395 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:35,560 A lot faster. 396 00:11:35,560 --> 00:11:36,880 Than states that are struggling. 397 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:37,240 Right. 398 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,320 And that could make existing inequalities even worse. 399 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:40,800 Yeah. 400 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,160 And leave some communities constantly trying to recover. 401 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:45,360 It wouldn't be fair. 402 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:46,280 No, it wouldn't. 403 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,200 And it brings up some important questions. 404 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:49,400 It does. 405 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:53,280 About fairness and equality in disaster response. 406 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:56,760 Who gets help and who gets left behind? 407 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:58,120 That's a tough question. 408 00:11:58,120 --> 00:11:58,720 It is. 409 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,600 But it's one we need to ask. 410 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:01,160 Absolutely. 411 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaking of tough questions. 412 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:03,040 OK. 413 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:04,440 Let's talk about politics again. 414 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:05,200 Oh, right. 415 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:07,800 Even if everyone agreed that FEMA is important. 416 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:08,600 And they don't. 417 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:08,880 Right. 418 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:10,360 Which is clearly not the case. 419 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:11,200 Yeah. 420 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:13,680 Getting anything done in politics, 421 00:12:13,680 --> 00:12:17,000 especially when it comes to money, can be a nightmare. 422 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:17,640 It can. 423 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,680 FEMA's budget is a constant battle in Congress. 424 00:12:20,680 --> 00:12:22,120 It's a battleground. 425 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,200 People argue about how much money they should get. 426 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:26,440 How that money should be used. 427 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:27,000 Right. 428 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:28,400 Whether they're being effective. 429 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:29,080 Yeah. 430 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:31,560 With all the division in politics right now. 431 00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:32,200 It's hard. 432 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:35,040 It feels impossible to agree on these things. 433 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:36,160 It does. 434 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,560 So even if we all agree that disaster preparedness is 435 00:12:39,560 --> 00:12:40,320 important. 436 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:40,800 Yeah. 437 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:43,440 Getting the money to actually do it 438 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,360 would be another fight altogether. 439 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:46,360 Exactly. 440 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,080 It's not just about wanting to do the right thing. 441 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,640 It's about having the political will and the money 442 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:52,640 to make it happen. 443 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:53,600 That's the key. 444 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:54,640 It's all connected. 445 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,920 The science, the politics, the economics. 446 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:57,520 It's complex. 447 00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:58,520 The tangled web. 448 00:12:58,520 --> 00:12:58,880 It is. 449 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,280 And it gets even more complicated 450 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:02,760 when you think about climate change. 451 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:03,440 Right. 452 00:13:03,440 --> 00:13:04,800 It's a global issue. 453 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:05,320 It is. 454 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,640 Disasters don't care about borders. 455 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:08,120 They don't. 456 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:09,960 We've been talking about the US. 457 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:12,720 But other countries are dealing with the same challenges. 458 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:13,280 Absolutely. 459 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,120 When it comes to preparing for and responding to disasters. 460 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:17,600 They are. 461 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:19,560 What's happening in other parts of the world. 462 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:20,200 Well. 463 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,000 Are there any examples we can learn from? 464 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:23,720 There are. 465 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:25,320 If the US got rid of FEMA. 466 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:25,800 Yeah. 467 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,240 Wouldn't that go against what most countries are doing? 468 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:28,960 It would. 469 00:13:28,960 --> 00:13:32,720 Most developed countries have some kind of national agency 470 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:33,920 for disaster management. 471 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:34,760 They do. 472 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,560 And many are making those agencies stronger. 473 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:40,480 Investing more in preparedness because of climate change. 474 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:41,280 Right. 475 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:42,880 The European Union, for example. 476 00:13:42,880 --> 00:13:43,280 Yeah. 477 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,120 Has a pretty sophisticated system. 478 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:45,600 It does. 479 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,440 That coordinates assistance across all the member states. 480 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:49,120 That's right. 481 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,680 Countries like Japan and Australia 482 00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:54,880 have really advanced early warning systems and evacuation 483 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:55,320 plans. 484 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,280 For earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires. 485 00:13:58,280 --> 00:13:59,520 They're ahead of the game. 486 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:00,360 In a lot of ways. 487 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:02,240 So there's a lot we can learn from other countries. 488 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:02,880 Yes. 489 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:04,280 Both good and bad example. 490 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:04,960 Absolutely. 491 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:08,960 But even with the best plans and technology, 492 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,240 there's always uncertainty with disasters. 493 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:11,600 Right. 494 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:12,240 Always. 495 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,560 We can try to predict and prepare. 496 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:16,120 But there will always be surprises. 497 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,520 You never know what Mother New Jersey is going to throw at you. 498 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,640 That's why it's so important to have a strong disaster response 499 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:22,080 system. 500 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:23,160 So important. 501 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:24,680 It's about being able to adapt. 502 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:25,840 Adapt? 503 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:29,040 And respond effectively to whatever happens. 504 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:30,040 Whatever comes our way. 505 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:32,520 Whether it's a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake. 506 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:32,840 Right. 507 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,320 Or something we never even thought of. 508 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:35,120 Exactly. 509 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,200 Being flexible and adaptable is key. 510 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:37,640 It is. 511 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:39,120 We need to be ready for anything. 512 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:43,320 Because Mother Nature always has a few tricks up her sleeve. 513 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:46,400 All this talk about the consequences of not having FEMA. 514 00:14:46,400 --> 00:14:46,960 Yeah. 515 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:48,560 Makes me think about history. 516 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:49,040 OK. 517 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:53,000 Are there examples where not having a strong federal response 518 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,280 led to major problems? 519 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:56,800 Unfortunately, there are. 520 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:58,920 One that comes to mind right away. 521 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,560 Is Hurricane Katrina in 2005? 522 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:02,520 I remember that. 523 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:06,000 FEMA got a lot of criticism for how they handled that disaster. 524 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:06,680 What happened? 525 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:08,480 Especially in the first few days. 526 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:09,080 Yeah. 527 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:10,720 Aid was slow to arrive. 528 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:11,200 Oh, no. 529 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:14,200 There was confusion about evacuation orders. 530 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,680 And the federal, state, and local agencies 531 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:18,200 weren't working together well. 532 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:18,680 Oh, wow. 533 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:21,040 The consequences were devastating. 534 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:21,320 Yeah. 535 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:22,800 So many lives lost. 536 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:23,240 Right. 537 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:27,000 And the impact on those communities is still felt today. 538 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,520 It's a reminder that even with FEMA. 539 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:30,040 Yeah. 540 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:31,720 Things can still go wrong. 541 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:32,080 OK. 542 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:35,360 It shows how important it is to have an agency that's 543 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:38,600 well-funded, well-staffed, and prepared to respond. 544 00:15:38,600 --> 00:15:39,600 Ready to go? 545 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,760 FEMA has learned from Katrina and other events. 546 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:43,320 They have. 547 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,160 But we can't forget that any organization can get overwhelmed. 548 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,120 Especially with the disaster that big. 549 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,880 It's a constant process of getting better and adapting. 550 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:52,360 It is. 551 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:55,520 So we can't just assume that because we have FEMA, 552 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:56,520 everything will be fine. 553 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:56,920 Right. 554 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:58,000 We have to support them. 555 00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,040 Hold them accountable. 556 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,240 And make sure they have the resources they need. 557 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:02,120 To do their job. 558 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:03,400 To function effectively. 559 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,440 And that includes supporting policies 560 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:09,240 that address the root causes of climate change. 561 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:09,600 Yes. 562 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:13,000 Which is making these extreme weather events more common. 563 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:14,280 More common, more intense. 564 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:15,560 It's about being proactive. 565 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:16,160 Proactive. 566 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:20,000 And having a holistic approach to disaster preparedness. 567 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:20,680 Exactly. 568 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:24,480 It's about recognizing that we're all in this together. 569 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:25,000 We are. 570 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,400 We can't just wait for the next disaster to hit. 571 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:28,520 No, we have to be active. 572 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:32,080 We have to work together to create a safer and more resilient 573 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:32,840 future. 574 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:33,680 For ourselves. 575 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:35,560 And for future generations. 576 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:36,960 That's a powerful message. 577 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:37,400 It is. 578 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,880 And on that note, I think it's time to wrap up this discussion. 579 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:41,520 OK. 580 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:45,800 About disaster preparedness and the future of FEMA. 581 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:46,760 Sounds good. 582 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:48,840 We've covered a lot of complex topics. 583 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:49,320 We have. 584 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:50,160 And I've learned a lot. 585 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:50,720 Me too. 586 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,080 It's always interesting to explore these issues. 587 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:53,480 Yeah. 588 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:54,920 And see the different perspectives. 589 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:57,520 And I hope our listeners have a better understanding now. 590 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:58,480 I hope so too. 591 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,280 Of how important FEMA is. 592 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:04,040 And what could happen if it disappeared. 593 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:05,560 It would be a big loss. 594 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:07,160 And I hope they'll keep thinking about these things. 595 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:07,520 Yeah. 596 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:08,080 And talking about. 597 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:09,200 So we have more conversation. 598 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:10,520 And how we can work together. 599 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,960 To create a safer and more resilient future for everyone. 600 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:15,360 Because as we've talked about. 601 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:16,080 Yes. 602 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:17,520 It's not just about FEMA. 603 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:18,000 Right. 604 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:19,120 It's about all of us. 605 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:20,280 Well said. 606 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:21,400 We're back. 607 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:24,760 And this conversation has really got me thinking. 608 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:25,560 Yeah. 609 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,840 That's easy to just assume FEMA's always going to be there. 610 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:29,960 Right. 611 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:33,080 But when you really consider what could happen without them. 612 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:33,840 Mm-hmm. 613 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:34,680 It's a little scary. 614 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:35,160 It is. 615 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,080 It's like they say. 616 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:36,480 Yeah. 617 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:38,520 You don't know what you got till it's gone. 618 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:39,640 Exactly. 619 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:41,320 And if we lost FEMA. 620 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:42,920 That would be a hard lesson to learn. 621 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:43,360 For sure. 622 00:17:43,360 --> 00:17:44,560 It's like a fire extinguisher. 623 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:45,520 OK. 624 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:46,760 You hope you never need it. 625 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:47,280 Right. 626 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:48,560 But you're sure glad it's there. 627 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:49,080 If you do. 628 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:50,560 I see what you mean. 629 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,640 But even if we all agree that FEMA's important. 630 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:55,040 Yeah. 631 00:17:55,040 --> 00:17:57,720 There's still the question of how to make it better. 632 00:17:57,720 --> 00:17:58,560 Of course. 633 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:00,040 No systems perfect. 634 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:00,520 Exactly. 635 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:01,920 There's always room for improvement. 636 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:02,440 Right. 637 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:05,560 And one area where I think FEMA could do a lot better. 638 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:06,520 OK. 639 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:07,880 Is working with communities. 640 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:08,280 Mm-hmm. 641 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:10,000 Especially the most vulnerable ones. 642 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:10,440 Yeah. 643 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:11,720 Can you talk more about that? 644 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:12,400 Sure. 645 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,880 We know that disasters hit certain groups harder than others. 646 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:16,320 Right. 647 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:17,960 Low income families. 648 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:19,040 Communities of color. 649 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:19,440 Uh-huh. 650 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:20,160 The elderly. 651 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:21,160 People with disabilities. 652 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:22,760 They often face more challenges. 653 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:22,960 Yeah. 654 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:24,360 And getting help and recovering. 655 00:18:24,360 --> 00:18:25,160 Exactly. 656 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,720 So it's about making sure everyone has a fair chance 657 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:28,880 to bounce back. 658 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:29,400 Right. 659 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:31,360 No matter their background or situation. 660 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:32,360 That's the goal. 661 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:35,120 FEMA needs to focus on building trust 662 00:18:35,120 --> 00:18:36,160 with these communities. 663 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:36,520 OK. 664 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,320 Understanding their specific needs. 665 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:38,760 Mm-hmm. 666 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:40,920 And making sure their programs and services 667 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:42,480 are tailored to those needs. 668 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:45,000 It's about making equity and inclusion 669 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,760 a core part of disaster response. 670 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:48,080 Yeah. 671 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:49,440 But one size fits all approach. 672 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:50,440 Just won't work here. 673 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:50,840 No. 674 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:51,360 It won't. 675 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:53,960 And it's not just about responding after a disaster. 676 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:54,480 Right. 677 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,000 It's also about trying to prevent them in the first place. 678 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:57,320 Excellent. 679 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,920 FEMA should be involved in helping communities 680 00:18:59,920 --> 00:19:01,480 become more resilient. 681 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:03,440 Helping them identify risks. 682 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:03,920 Mm-hmm. 683 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:06,360 Develop strategies to reduce those risks. 684 00:19:06,360 --> 00:19:06,880 Right. 685 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:10,000 And rebuild stronger after disaster hits. 686 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,720 So it's about shifting from just reacting. 687 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:13,280 Yeah. 688 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,880 To being more proactive and preventative. 689 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:16,520 Exactly. 690 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,800 It's about investing in preparedness and resilience 691 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:20,560 beforehand. 692 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:20,760 Right. 693 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,320 Rather than just cleaning up the mess afterward. 694 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:24,960 That makes a lot more sense in the long run. 695 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:25,720 It does. 696 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,480 But it also requires a big change in how we think. 697 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:28,960 Yeah. 698 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:31,000 Both as individuals and as a government. 699 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:35,080 We need to stop thinking of disasters as random events. 700 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:35,440 Right. 701 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:36,360 Things we can't control. 702 00:19:36,360 --> 00:19:38,200 We need to acknowledge that our actions. 703 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:39,120 Especially climate change. 704 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:42,240 Are making these events more frequent and intense. 705 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:43,720 And we need to take responsibility. 706 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,440 For making our communities more resilient. 707 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,840 It's about giving people the tools and knowledge 708 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:50,440 they need to protect themselves. 709 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:51,200 Absolutely. 710 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:54,360 We all have a part to play in creating a safer future. 711 00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:55,520 We do. 712 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,400 Well, I think that's a great place to end our discussion. 713 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:57,880 Sounds good. 714 00:19:57,880 --> 00:20:01,520 About disaster preparedness and the future of FEMA. 715 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:03,160 It's been a good conversation. 716 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:05,480 We've explored a lot of complicated issues today. 717 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:06,040 We have. 718 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:06,960 And I've learned a lot. 719 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:07,720 I don't know about you. 720 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:08,840 Me too. 721 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:11,840 It's always interesting to delve into these topics 722 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:13,920 and hear different viewpoints. 723 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:16,200 I hope our listeners have a better understanding now. 724 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:17,160 I hope so too. 725 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:19,200 Of how important FEMA is. 726 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:20,080 It's crucial. 727 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,720 And what could happen if it wasn't there? 728 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:23,880 We don't want to find out. 729 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:25,640 And I hope they'll keep thinking and talking 730 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:26,440 about these issues. 731 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,360 Yeah, these conversations are important. 732 00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:32,000 And how we can all work together to create a safer 733 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,080 and more resilient future for everyone. 734 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,120 Because it's not just about FEMA. 735 00:20:36,120 --> 00:20:37,320 It's about all of us. 736 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:38,200 Well said. 737 00:20:38,200 --> 00:20:40,520 That's all the time we have for today. 738 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:41,360 Thanks for listening. 739 00:20:41,360 --> 00:20:42,600 And thanks for having me. 740 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,680 And be sure to tune in next time for another insightful episode 741 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:47,200 of Meteorology Matters. 742 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:49,080 And remember, knowledge is power. 743 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:49,400 Yes. 744 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:52,120 The more we know about the risks we face, 745 00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:54,360 the better prepared we'll be to handle them. 746 00:20:54,360 --> 00:20:55,480 Wise words. 747 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:56,400 Until next time. 748 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:57,360 Stay safe. 749 00:20:57,360 --> 00:20:58,160 Stay informed. 750 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:19,680 And stay curious.