Bulwark Takes FEMA on the Brink! Can We Survive the Next Disaster?
Aug 12, 2025
In this engaging talk, Juliette Kayyem, former Homeland Security Assistant Secretary and author, shares her expertise on disaster preparedness. She highlights FEMA's struggles with escalating climate crises, using recent Texas disasters as a pivotal case study. The conversation dives into historical failures like Hurricane Katrina and the erosion of public trust in government response. Kayyem also emphasizes the need for federal and local cooperation, and how immigration policies inadvertently hinder disaster readiness, stressing the importance of community resilience.
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Katrina Career Turning Point
- Juliette Kayyem shifted from counterterrorism to disaster preparedness after Hurricane Katrina.
- She cited government failure in Katrina and moved to focus on saving cities from drowning.
The Classic Response Model
- Do prioritize local capacity first, with state coordination and federal support during disasters.
- Juliette Kayyem stresses locals are first responders and the federal role is to deploy resources.
The Sharpie Evacuation Tactic
- Juliette Kayyem recounts Florida teams asking reluctant evacuees to mark their arm to limit rescue obligations.
- She says the Sharpie tactic nudged people to evacuate while preserving freedom of choice.
