The Senate on Friday confirmed Cameron Hamilton as the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, will take over an agency whose future has been uncertain since President Trump threatened to eliminate it.

FEMA’s Future

Hamilton’s nomination signaled that Trump may be moving on from that idea, but his administration is still promising drastic changes in how the government handles disasters. Hamilton will have to shepherd that overhaul while stabilizing an agency of more than 20,000 employees recovering from a chaotic tenure as Department of Homeland Security secretary.

Hamilton was fired from a temporary role leading FEMA after he publicly opposed eliminating the agency. His stand drew admiration among some emergency management professionals. The National Emergency Management Association said it welcomes Hamilton as the FEMA administrator.

Changes Ahead

The Trump administration and lawmakers are advocating for sweeping changes to federal disaster response. At a meeting of governors, the Department of Homeland Security secretary called FEMA ‘bloated.’ The biggest reform will be more responsibility going back to the states, with FEMA helping only in the worst cases.

A Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council recommended major changes to how the federal government supports states, tribes, and territories during disasters. Many of the suggested changes require congressional action.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.