BREAKING: Controversy at FEMA, Director Resigning and RI’s Gaynor to Be Acting Director
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Controversy is rocking the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Director William “Brock' Long is reported to be stepping down due to improper use a federal vehicle, according to the Washington Post.
In a statement, Long said FEMA had provided assistance on "more than 200 declared disasters."
"As a career emergency management professional, I could not be prouder to have worked alongside the devoted, hardworking men and women of FEMA for the past two years," Long said.
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Peter Gaynor, former head of Rhode Island’s Emergency Management Agency who has served as Long’s deputy since the fall, is slated to take over as the Director of the agency.
Gaynor had appeared on GoLocal Live numerous times —SEE HERE
UPDATED 6:22 AM 2/14/2019
Read Gaynor’s official FEMA bio:
Peter Gaynor was confirmed by the Senate on October 11, 2018 to be the next Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Gaynor was appointed director of Rhode Island’s Emergency Management Agency by Governor Gina Raimondo in January 2015 where he advised the governor on emergency management policy and served as the principal liaison between FEMA and local emergency management offices throughout Rhode Island. With extensive experience in coordinating response and recovery efforts for evacuations, he oversaw blizzards, floods, tropical storms, public health emergencies, mass care, special events and school safety. During his tenure, the agency responded to numerous small and large disasters, including one presidentially declared disaster and the management of at least seven pre-existing active federal disasters.
In addition, he served as the policy advisor to the Governor on emergency management matters and served as the liaison between FEMA and all local emergency management offices throughout the State. He was also the Chair of the State Interoperable Communications Committee, the State Emergency Response Commission, and was Vice Chair of the State Emergency Management Advisory Committee. He served as a Commissioner and a member for the Program Review Committee for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) which fosters excellence and accountability in emergency management and homeland security programs across the nation.
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