Open Emergency Management in the 21st Century: Craig Fugate

Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

“Open Emergency Management in the 21st Century”

Craig Fugate was confirmed by the US Senate and began his service as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in May 2009. At FEMA, Fugate has promulgated the “whole community” approach to emergency management, emphasizing and improving collaboration with all levels of government (federal, tribal, state, and local) and external partners, including voluntary agencies, faith based organizations, the private sector and citizens. Prior to coming to FEMA, Fugate served as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). Fugate served as the Florida State Coordinating Officer for 11 Presidentially-declared disasters including the management of $4.5 billion in federal disaster assistance. In 2004, Fugate managed the largest federal disaster response in Florida history as four major hurricanes impacted the state in quick succession; Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. Fugate began his emergency management career as a volunteer firefighter, paramedic, and a Lieutenant with the Alachua County Fire Rescue. Eventually, he moved from exclusive fire rescue operations to serving as the Emergency Manager for Alachua County in Gainesville, Florida.

For more information, visit Mr. Fugate’s biography on FEMA’s website.