President Donald Trump declared in his speech that inaugural speech He said the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires “happened without a shred of protection.” …But we cannot allow this to happen. No one can do anything about it. That’s going to change. ”
More importantly, he vowed that change is coming to the federal government’s disaster response, not just in Los Angeles but across the country. “Our country has been left unable to provide basic services in a time of emergency. This is a terrible example of how the wonderful people of North Carolina have been treated so poorly, and also because of a hurricane that occurred many months ago. This is something that people in other states who are also suffering have shown recently.” President Trump said. playing cards I’m heading to Los Angeles is amid reports this week that it is considering making the FEMA administrator report directly to the White House.
The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County should serve as a sobering wake-up call, but our nation’s disaster management system is deeply flawed and needs an urgent overhaul. Los Angeles firefighters did everything they could to stop the fire, including risking their own lives. They deserve better leadership and resources from the state and federal governments.
The unfolding tragedy in Southern California comes months after the hurricane. helen and Milton is causing historic damage in the Southeast and calls for immediate and comprehensive reform of federal and state disaster management frameworks. With the Trump administration inaugurated, it is time to streamline the response and appoint a federal disaster czar.
The current piecemeal approach to disaster response creates confusion and inefficiency. The White House disaster czar will be a strong champion of long-term resilience, rapid response, and fiscal responsibility. This position advocates for critical infrastructure upgrades, stricter building code enforcement, reformed federal and state response procedures (including faster deployment of military assets), and innovative disaster funding mechanisms. , will provide a top-down approach to strengthening communities against future catastrophes. Although well-intentioned, current response frameworks are too often bogged down by bureaucratic and administrative challenges.
Centralized leadership from a disaster czar eliminated interagency redundancy and ensured more strategic and timely allocation of relief funds, driving significant cost savings and ultimately improving Long-term disaster losses are reduced through mitigation efforts.
Having a voice in the White House would also facilitate communication between presidents. FEMAallows for better coordination during rapid response operations. This dual focus on resilience and efficiency not only saves lives but also protects taxpayers’ money, making our country stronger and more economically viable in the face of increasingly deadly and costly natural disasters. It will make it healthier.
For the second consecutive year, FEMA disaster relief fund Relief is needed through additional emergency funding from Congress. We can no longer afford to continue with our current wasteful, reactive approach. Proactive mitigation must be a non-negotiable priority. Federal disaster funding should be conditional on states implementing proven mitigation strategies. This includes critical infrastructure upgrades and active wildfire management in high-risk areas. States that do not take these important steps should be stripped of federal disaster assistance. This approach will drive meaningful change and reduce the catastrophic effects of future disasters.
Additionally, disaster finance requires transparency and accountability. Real-time transparency of disaster spending is not just a lofty ideal, but a critical tool for effective crisis management. Instant visibility into funding allocation builds public trust, deters abuse, and ensures every dollar is used for its intended purpose. Access to this information makes real-time data available to decision-makers like Disaster Czars, allowing them to quickly identify funding gaps. This transparency fosters coordination between all levels of government, eliminates costly redundancies, and enables rapid, strategic deployment of resources.
The time for action is now. The Los Angeles wildfires have exposed significant vulnerabilities in our current system. Strengthening wildfire water infrastructure and reforming fire monitoring and response standards are critical. As we come together to support those affected by this tragedy, we must seize this opportunity to apply the lessons learned and implement meaningful reforms. The safety of our communities and the responsible stewardship of our taxpayers are in the balance.
We urge the incoming Trump administration to take bold executive actions that will revolutionize our nation’s approach to disaster management, starting with the appointment of a White House Disaster Czar. By prioritizing mitigation, enforcing accountability, and fostering seamless collaboration, we can break the cycle of devastation and build a more resilient future for all Americans. The era of half-hearted measures and bureaucratic inertia is over.
We cannot afford to see a situation like what we are seeing in Los Angeles happen again. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to build a safer and stronger America in the face of increasingly frequent and severe disasters.
Phil Anderson serves as President and Founder of BuildStrong America. Anderson has more than 30 years of experience advising businesses, industry and elected officials.
Secretary R. David Polison is a senior advisor to BuildStrong America and previously served as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he helped overhaul the agency after Hurricane Katrina. The appointment follows a 30-year career in emergency management and emergency services, including as fire chief for Miami-Dade County.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
