DHS Cuts FEMA Disaster Response Staff as 2026 Kicks Off

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is making significant staff reductions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as 2026 begins. This move affects FEMA’s Cadre of On-Call Response and Recovery (CORE) teams, critical to disaster management.

DHS Cuts FEMA Disaster Response Staff

Internal emails reveal that dozens of CORE staff received notifications on New Year’s Eve about their non-renewal of contracts. The cutbacks, initiated by FEMA’s acting chief, Karen Evans, will eliminate about 50 positions. This decision follows the resignation of the previous FEMA head and indicates a larger strategy by Secretary Kristi Noem to downsize FEMA.

Impact of Staff Reductions on Disaster Response

CORE teams are essential for immediate disaster response, working closely with local officials and survivors.
Around 40% of FEMA’s workforce, approximately 8,000 personnel, are CORE employees under temporary contracts.
Historically, CORE workers have been able to secure contract renewals; however, many contracts are set to expire in 2026.

As of January 1, 2026, FEMA is prohibited from renewing these employees’ contracts without approval from DHS, leading to further uncertainty among staff. A DHS spokesperson acknowledged that CORE positions are meant to align with disaster needs and funding but did not address the abrupt nature of the cuts.

Funding Challenges and Future Recommendations

A Government Accountability Office report from 2023 indicated that FEMA is short over 6,000 employees, reflecting a significant operational gap. In 2025, several staff left through layoffs or buyouts, exacerbating this issue. The Trump administration has suggested FEMA is overstaffed, pushing a plan that could halve the agency’s workforce.

Furthermore, ongoing delays in federal funding have drastically impacted local emergency management efforts. Many states are grappling with budget constraints, leading to layoffs in local emergency staff who depend on FEMA support.

The FEMA Review Council is expected to release recommendations aimed at restructuring the agency. This includes relocating some staff outside Washington, D.C., to enhance disaster response capabilities. However, these changes may result in fewer federal resources during emergencies, placing increased responsibility on state governments.

As FEMA navigates these turbulent changes, the implications of reduced staffing on disaster management remain a pressing concern for officials and state leaders across the nation.