CFSI Releases FEMA Reform Recommendations Ahead of This Week’s FEMA Review Council Report

December 9, 2025

On January 24, President Trump established a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council through Executive Order 14180. The Council is charged with conducting a full-scale evaluation of FEMA’s operations and recommending changes to its mission and structure. On December 11, the FEMA Review Council will meet from 1:00 to 3:00pm Eastern to present a final draft report on its recommendations for FEMA reform along with a summary of public comments made to the Council. The Council will also deliberate and vote on the final draft report.

The Council’s December 11 meeting will be open to the public for virtual attendance. Those wishing to virtually attend may do so by registering at this link before 5pm Eastern on December 10.

On November 24, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), together with its National Advisory Committee (NAC), released a comprehensive report titled FEMA Reform: Recommendations from America’s Fire and Emergency Services. This document was developed from the input of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and the 30 plus other organizations that serve on CFSI’s NAC and outlines the fire service’s consensus recommendations for FEMA reform.

The report highlights several urgent needs, including:

  • Elevating the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and expanding its role within FEMA.
  • Strengthening FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) system and ensuring timely reimbursement to USAR task force teams for costs.
  • Modernizing national fire data systems, particularly through the implementation of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).
  • Enhancing federal wildfire mitigation and response programs, including rapid post-fire assistance.
  • Protecting and fully funding core FEMA grant programs, including AFG and SAFER, which provide essential equipment, staffing, training, and preparedness resources to local fire and EMS agencies.

It is likely much of the recommendations that will be issued by the FEMA Review Council on December 11 will require federal legislation to implement. As the FEMA reform process moves forward, the NVFC will continue to push for the recommendations above and the following recommendations that were produced by the NVFC’s FEMA Reform Study Group:

  • Establish disaster parameters based on a clear and objective formula.
  • Allow for the authority having jurisdiction (state, city, county) to have 72 hours of initial emergency response that is fully supported by FEMA even if no Stafford Act declaration is made.
  • Increase funding to the National Fire Academy, Emergency Management Institute, and to states to increase the availability of National Incident Management/Incident Command Systems training including Incident Management Team role specific training.
  • Better define “Critical Infrastructure” eligible for hardening and/or mitigation.
  • Better define the parameters and scope of “Public Assistance” versus “Personal Assistance,” including training of FEMA staff on specific circumstances.