Local Emergency Managers Sound Alarm on Dire Resource Shortages Ahead of Disasters

Local emergency managers across the United States are warning of critical understaffing and inadequate resources, hindering their ability to protect communities before disasters strike. A recent survey of over 40 current and former emergency managers in 11 states reveals widespread concerns about increasing responsibilities coupled with stagnant funding. Many agencies are stretched thin, with some directors overseeing diverse tasks from IT to animal welfare programs, diverting focus from core disaster preparedness.

The lack of funding for additional personnel is a primary concern, with an Argonne National Laboratory survey from July 2025 indicating that over half of 1,689 local emergency management agencies operate with one or no permanent full-time employees, relying heavily on volunteers. This under-resourcing has led to tragic consequences, such as in Yancey County, North Carolina, where additional staff were only hired after Hurricane Helene devastated the area in 2024, despite years of prior requests. Similarly, St. Louis, Missouri, was still upgrading its faulty outdoor warning system when a tornado killed four people in May 2025.

Experts like Samantha Montano, an emergency management associate professor, argue that part-time or volunteer positions are insufficient given the complex and varied skill sets required for modern disaster response, from cyber risks to tornado recovery. Compounding these local challenges, the Trump administration has reportedly delayed federal funding to state and local agencies and shifted more preparedness responsibilities to them without clear alternative funding streams. This systemic crisis leaves many communities vulnerable, as emergency managers often struggle for recognition and adequate budgets compared to more visible public safety departments.