'FEMA, Racing to Provide Virus Relief, Is Running Short on Front-Line Staff' diff viewer (2/3)

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FEMA, Racing to Provide Virus Relief, Is Running Short on Front-Line Staff	FEMA, Racing to Provide Virus Relief, Is Running Short on Front-Line Staff
2020-04-04 03:14:15 UTC	2020-06-04 14:02:22 UTC (2 months later)
WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the office leading the federal government’s coronavirus response nationwide, is running short of employees who are trained in some of its most important front-line jobs, according to interviews with current and former officials.	WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the office leading the federal government’s coronavirus response nationwide, is running short of employees who are trained in some of its most important front-line jobs, according to interviews with current and former officials.
At the same time, the agency has been forced to halt a major hiring initiative, and has closed training facilities to avoid spreading the infection.	At the same time, the agency has been forced to halt a major hiring initiative, and has closed training facilities to avoid spreading the infection.
The number of available personnel who are qualified to lead field operations has fallen to 19 from 44 in less than six weeks, and staff members have been pulled from responding to other disasters, but training centers in Maryland and Alabama have been shuttered until mid-May. In addition, an effort to recruit new employees called “Harness” is on hold, according to a senior administration official with direct knowledge of FEMA’s operations.	The number of available personnel who are qualified to lead field operations has fallen to 19 from 44 in less than six weeks, and staff members have been pulled from responding to other disasters, but training centers in Maryland and Alabama have been shuttered until mid-May. In addition, an effort to recruit new employees called “Harness” is on hold, according to a senior administration official with direct knowledge of FEMA’s operations.
With wildfire season looming and hurricane season starting in less than two months, the shortfalls could complicate federal response to disasters nationwide.	With wildfire season looming and hurricane season starting in less than two months, the shortfalls could complicate federal response to disasters nationwide.
“No doubt that this presents a challenge to FEMA,” said Daniel Kaniewski, who until January was the agency’s deputy administrator for resilience. “Normally, this is when FEMA would be focused on hurricane readiness.”	“No doubt that this presents a challenge to FEMA,” said Daniel Kaniewski, who until January was the agency’s deputy administrator for resilience. “Normally, this is when FEMA would be focused on hurricane readiness.”
“FEMA has never faced a 50-state disaster before,” Mr. Kaniewski added.	“FEMA has never faced a 50-state disaster before,” Mr. Kaniewski added.
Lizzie Litzow, a spokeswoman for FEMA, said the agency had enough people to do its job, and would use a mix of online training, hiring new staff and redeploying its current employees. “FEMA is currently able to meet staffing needs for Covid-19 operations,” as well as other disasters, she said in a statement.	Lizzie Litzow, a spokeswoman for FEMA, said the agency had enough people to do its job, and would use a mix of online training, hiring new staff and redeploying its current employees. “FEMA is currently able to meet staffing needs for Covid-19 operations,” as well as other disasters, she said in a statement.
“While we are responding to this crisis, FEMA is also taking aggressive and extraordinary steps to protect its workforce,” Ms. Litzow said. “FEMA works to ensure it maintains the response capabilities for the unknown.”	“While we are responding to this crisis, FEMA is also taking aggressive and extraordinary steps to protect its workforce,” Ms. Litzow said. “FEMA works to ensure it maintains the response capabilities for the unknown.”
Even before the virus struck, the agency was stretched thin. Starting in 2017, a series of major hurricanes, wildfires and floods had left it straining to manage response and recovery efforts around the country.	Even before the virus struck, the agency was stretched thin. Starting in 2017, a series of major hurricanes, wildfires and floods had left it straining to manage response and recovery efforts around the country.
Then, in mid-March, FEMA took the lead on the government’s response to the coronavirus, increasing the demands on its employees even further. As of Friday, the agency had sent teams to 26 states and more requests are likely. And the number of available staff is already being reduced by the virus, with at least seven employees infected as of last weekend.	Then, in mid-March, FEMA took the lead on the government’s response to the coronavirus, increasing the demands on its employees even further. As of Friday, the agency had sent teams to 26 states and more requests are likely. And the number of available staff is already being reduced by the virus, with at least seven employees infected as of last weekend.
But even as the virus puts new stress on the agency, it must also remain prepared to handle more typical natural disasters.	But even as the virus puts new stress on the agency, it must also remain prepared to handle more typical natural disasters.
Federal scientists last month predicted that 23 states would see moderate to major flooding by the end of May. This week, researchers at Colorado State University warned that this year’s hurricane season, which starts June 1, is likely to produce 16 major storms, of which four were likely to become major hurricanes.	Federal scientists last month predicted that 23 states would see moderate to major flooding by the end of May. This week, researchers at Colorado State University warned that this year’s hurricane season, which starts June 1, is likely to produce 16 major storms, of which four were likely to become major hurricanes.
The toll of FEMA’s dual mission — responding to the Covid-19 crisis, while also handling its normal job of dealing with natural disasters — is beginning to show up in its staffing figures. As of Friday, just 31 percent of the agency’s staff of 13,701 remained available to be deployed, down from 35 percent two weeks ago, according to FEMA documents.	The toll of FEMA’s dual mission — responding to the Covid-19 crisis, while also handling its normal job of dealing with natural disasters — is beginning to show up in its staffing figures. As of Friday, just 31 percent of the agency’s staff of 13,701 remained available to be deployed, down from 35 percent two weeks ago, according to FEMA documents.
That shortage is particularly acute among some of the agency’s most highly trained specialists.	That shortage is particularly acute among some of the agency’s most highly trained specialists.
Six weeks ago, the agency reported having 44 members of its field leadership contingent — staff who are trained and certified to manage disasters around the country — available to be deployed. By this week, that figure had fallen to 19.	Six weeks ago, the agency reported having 44 members of its field leadership contingent — staff who are trained and certified to manage disasters around the country — available to be deployed. By this week, that figure had fallen to 19.
Asked about its plan to replenish those staff, Ms. Litzow declined to say how long it would take to train new field leaders. She said the agency could reassign staff to the most pressing disasters, as well as “internally surge additional personnel to serve in leadership roles throughout the agency if needed.”	Asked about its plan to replenish those staff, Ms. Litzow declined to say how long it would take to train new field leaders. She said the agency could reassign staff to the most pressing disasters, as well as “internally surge additional personnel to serve in leadership roles throughout the agency if needed.”
The agency is also running short on other specialized staff. As of Friday, just 19 percent of its operations staff, 18 percent of its safety staff and 25 percent of its planning staff were available to deploy, according to agency documents.	The agency is also running short on other specialized staff. As of Friday, just 19 percent of its operations staff, 18 percent of its safety staff and 25 percent of its planning staff were available to deploy, according to agency documents.
“At this time FEMA has been able to fill staffing needs for Covid-19 operational mission requirements” as well as other disasters, Ms. Litzow said.	“At this time FEMA has been able to fill staffing needs for Covid-19 operational mission requirements” as well as other disasters, Ms. Litzow said.
The agency has already pulled people back from other disaster-recovery operations, said Mr. Kaniewski, who is now a managing director at Marsh & McLennan Companies, an insurance and risk management group. He said those other disasters could act as “a reservoir” for FEMA to draw staff from, provided they had the right training.	The agency has already pulled people back from other disaster-recovery operations, said Mr. Kaniewski, who is now a managing director at Marsh & McLennan Companies, an insurance and risk management group. He said those other disasters could act as “a reservoir” for FEMA to draw staff from, provided they had the right training.
Craig Fugate, who ran the agency during the Obama administration, said FEMA’s ability to deploy enough people was a significant challenge. “Can it be done? Yeah,” Mr. Fugate said. “Will it be pretty? No.”	Craig Fugate, who ran the agency during the Obama administration, said FEMA’s ability to deploy enough people was a significant challenge. “Can it be done? Yeah,” Mr. Fugate said. “Will it be pretty? No.”
He said the agency should suspend reconstruction work in other parts of the country that are still recovering from previous disasters, so it has people ready for this year’s storm season.	He said the agency should suspend reconstruction work in other parts of the country that are still recovering from previous disasters, so it has people ready for this year’s storm season.
Meanwhile, the agency’s ability to train new hires, or retrain existing staff for new roles, has been hindered by the coronavirus, officials said.	Meanwhile, the agency’s ability to train new hires, or retrain existing staff for new roles, has been hindered by the coronavirus, officials said.
	Updated June 2, 2020
	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
	More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
FEMA’s two main training facilities, the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama and the Emergency Management Institute in Maryland, have been closed since March 14 and aren’t scheduled to reopen until at least May 10. The centers were used to train both state and local first responders as well as new FEMA officials who would work on response and recovery.	FEMA’s two main training facilities, the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama and the Emergency Management Institute in Maryland, have been closed since March 14 and aren’t scheduled to reopen until at least May 10. The centers were used to train both state and local first responders as well as new FEMA officials who would work on response and recovery.
“We will work to reschedule courses for later in the year to the maximum extent possible,” read a message on the Maryland institute’s website.	“We will work to reschedule courses for later in the year to the maximum extent possible,” read a message on the Maryland institute’s website.
FEMA has been trying to fill the void by bringing on new employees in a hotel ballroom adjacent to its headquarters. The agency is currently setting up another planning center a couple blocks away from its headquarters, called the National Response Coordination Center 2.0, where planning for responses for earthquakes, hurricanes and other flooding will take place, according to the administration official with knowledge of FEMA’s operations.	FEMA has been trying to fill the void by bringing on new employees in a hotel ballroom adjacent to its headquarters. The agency is currently setting up another planning center a couple blocks away from its headquarters, called the National Response Coordination Center 2.0, where planning for responses for earthquakes, hurricanes and other flooding will take place, according to the administration official with knowledge of FEMA’s operations.
Staffing that new center will be a struggle, the official said.	Staffing that new center will be a struggle, the official said.