The Biden-Harris administration's disaster relief agency is facing backlash after an emergency management blueprint unearthed during the recent devastating hurricanes that hit the southern United States went viral.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website List three sets of goals As part of a strategic plan to “address key challenges” in emergency management. The first goal listed in the agency's priorities is to “instill equity as the foundation of crisis management.”
The second goal is to “Lead the entire community in climate resilience,” and the third goal is to “Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and a Prepared Nation.”
According to FEMA's plan, “diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot be optional.”
Hurricane Helen causes major damage to Asheville, North Carolina. National Guard mobilized, 119 people rescued
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaks during a press conference at the White House on Thursday, September 26, 2024. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
“This will require FEMA leadership and employees to demonstrate increased commitment to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in carrying out the agency's mission. “We need to leverage our strengths and breadth of experience to consistently inform programs, policy, and decision-making,” the FEMA program continued. “Through investments in diversity and inclusion initiatives, including employee resource groups and multicultural training, FEMA can increase employee engagement and participation in fostering a culture of inclusion.”
After Hurricane Helen killed more than 100 people in six states and left millions without power, social media users began criticizing FEMA's strategic plan amid the damage.
“For people who have lost loved ones, who have lost their homes, who have now seen their cities submerged, it feels great to know that FEMA's No. 1 goal is to wake up. I now understand everything about their terrible response. How embarrassing,” conservative activist Robbie Starbuck said in a post about X.
“Our government is broken,” author and scientist Dr. Robert Malone wrote of the agency's plans. “I wholeheartedly disagree. FEMA's top priority should be emergency response management.”
“FEMA's slow response to #HurricaneHelene may be due to FEMA's commitment to equity as the 'foundation of emergency management,'” said Gabriella Hoffman, director of the Independent Women's Forum. He spoke at
But FEMA denies that the agency's strategic plan interfered. hurricane disaster relief.
“That's a lie. We help all people, regardless of their background, before, during and after a disaster, as quickly as possible. That's our mission, that's our focus. ” public relations director Jaclyn Rotenberg told FOX News Digital. “We care about people, all people. We take very seriously our responsibility to support all communities, regardless of their background. We can understand who is coming, what their needs are, and provide life-saving and life-sustaining support.”
Fox Corporation begins donation drive for American Red Cross Hurricane Helen relief efforts
“For those wondering why the response to Hurricane Helen was such a disaster…Fema's goal number one is to instill equity as the foundation of emergency management. “This is reality,” the content on the left said in the post.
After heavy rains from Hurricane Helen on September 28, 2024, the Rocky Broad River flowed into Lake Lure, flooding the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
“Other government agencies believe that DEI is part of the scientific process and therefore beyond the reach of elected officials,” said Russ Greene, senior economic development fellow at Stand Together Trust. ” he wrote about X.
During a press conference on Monday, President Biden became defensive when asked by a reporter who was in charge of the hurricane response since he was at his beach home in Delaware over the weekend.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I was in charge,” Biden declared from his front door. “Yesterday and the day before yesterday, we were on the phone for at least two hours. I'm in command. It's called a phone call, and it's all the guards.”
As reporters began to ask, “Isn't it important for the country to see?” Biden turned his back again and walked away.
The president left his seat and the door closed in the middle of asking questions.
Biden began his remarks by vowing that he and his team were “in constant communication with governors, mayors, and local leaders” regarding Hurricane Helen.
FOX News' Daniel Wallace contributed reporting.
