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FEMA Review Council to Release Final Draft Report Dec. 11

ByNews Editor

The FEMA Review Council will release the final draft of its report at a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 1-3 pm Eastern. Registration is required. Created by executive order in January, the FEMA Review Council was tasked with recommending ways to reform and streamline the nation’s emergency management and disaster response system.

The meeting will include: 

  • remarks from senior leadership; 
  • remarks and updates from Council leadership;
  • a presentation of the draft final report from the Final Report Subcommittee; 
  • a presentation of a summary of public comments made to the Council by the Designated Federal Officer; 
  • Council deliberations; 
  • and a public vote on the draft final report.

Recent media reporting indicates that DHS Secretary Noem significantly reduced the original report submitted by appointed members—from more than 160 pages to roughly 20—raising concerns that many strong recommendations may not be included in the final version.

Meeting Registration: Registration to attend the meeting is required and must be received via email no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  You can register to attend by providing your full legal name and email address no later than 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, to the DFO Patrick Powers via email to FEMAreviewcouncil@hq.dhs.gov.

Public Comments: Members of the public may also provide comments on the final report using the methods outlined in the Federal Register. The deadline for comments is Dec. 31, 2025. At this time, ASFPM is not planning to submit comments prior to the upcoming meeting as the Council’s mission — to develop a report on the future of FEMA — is largely complete.   ASFPM has previously submitted comments to the FEMA Review Council in May, July and August focused on enhancing FEMA, keeping its critical mission functions intact, preserving, and enhancing hazard mitigation, and preserving the NFIP.

In October, ASFPM submitted a detailed letter expressing our concerns to the FEMA Review Council. In our letter, we explained how a potential push toward privatization of the NFIP with a focus on insurance only, ignores the nationwide public benefits of the NFIP’s mapping, mitigation, floodplain management, and community compliance programs. More importantly, the premise rests on market assumptions that are not supported by history or current realities. 

ASFPM will continue to stay engaged on this important issue as the Council’s recommendations move toward a final report and we’ll keep members informed with updates as we learn more.  

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