Obama's FEMA chief: Florida-seasoned: The Swamp

Florida's Craig Fugate is hurricane-seasoned expert in crisis management

Posted March 4, 2009 1:10 PM

by Peter Nicholas

President Obama intends to nominate the head of Florida's emergency management office to lead FEMA, a post that came under national scrutiny in 2005 over what many said was the inept response to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.

Obama's nominee will be Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, according to the White House. Fugate was appointed to that position by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001, and was reappointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2006. Both are Republicans.

Obama said in a statement: "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida's Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I'm confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.''

Fugate is to attend an event in New Orleans on Thursday with Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The venue underscores the importance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's role.

Former President Bush was widely criticized for appointing Michael Brown as FEMA director. Brown was mocked for his lack of credentials in emergency management; he once worked for the International Arabian Horse Association. He stepped down after Katrina. More than three years after the hurricane, New Orleans is still working to rebuild.

Obama administration officials stressed that, in Fugate, FEMA is getting a seasoned professional.

"FEMA must have experienced leadership to succeed in its challenging mission,'' Napolitano said. "Craig Fugate is no stranger to emergency management or to FEMA. He is one of the most respected emergency managers in the nation, and the work he's accomplished in Florida serves as a model for other states to follow.''

(Photo: Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, discusses Hurricane Ike, Sept. 6, 2008. Photographer: Marsha Halper/Miami Herald/MCT)