A 7.2-magnitude earthquake and a tropical storm in Haiti leave thousands of residents seeking aid. This disaster comes in the middle of hurricane season, on top of the ongoing pandemic, for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Dave Grant, former acting deputy administrator at FEMA, now partner at Potomac Ridge Consulting, said the organization has been requiring first responders to provide proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 tests on a daily basis to ensure survivors are comfortable.
- Rear Adm. Joe Nimmich (USCG, ret.), former deputy administrator at FEMA, also a partner at Potomac Ridge Consulting, said USAID is the primary provider of support overseas and that FEMA has an advisory role as its resources are restricted to domestic entities.
- Nimmich said the domestic natural disaster response process starts locally, moves to the state and then goes to FEMA when state capabilities are exceeded.
