Trump Signs Order Prioritizing Local Leadership for Disaster Preparedness, Response

The new rules streamlining the federal government will help states and local communities in the event of emergencies, according to the White House.

President Donald Trump walks toward Marine One on the south lawn of the White House in Washington on March 7, 2025. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times

President Donald Trump on March 11 signed an executive order empowering state and local leaders to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies.

The new law, which comes days after wildfires scorched parts of North Carolina, establishes a National Resilience Strategy meant to enhance preparedness efforts and strengthen the federal government’s responses.

To accomplish the goals set forth in the order, a review is required of all infrastructure, continuity plans, and readiness and response policies.

According to a fact sheet the White House provided to The Epoch Times, guidelines related to the nation’s critical infrastructure—including water, energy, and transportation, among others—will change to better fit current risk assessments.

Instead of using a so-called “all-hazards” perspective, previously set by the U.S. National Infrastructure Protection Plan, where any possible threats are considered without prioritizing one over another, new policies direct a “risk-informed” approach.

The order prioritizes “resilience and action over mere information sharing,” according to the fact sheet.

Local governments will have the authority to drive preparation and response, with the support of the federal government, rather than relying on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to oversee disaster response.

Other changes will include a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s continuity policy, which is meant to safeguard the government in the event of catastrophic events like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other unforeseen occurrences.

The new policies, which follow the president’s establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory body aimed at cutting costs and boosting efficiency in the federal government, will downsize operations to improve “sustained readiness.”

A National Risk Register is also established to identify risks and opportunities to strengthen operations and reduce waste.

Enhancing federal functions will better serve states and local governments, according to the order.

“President Trump knows that Americans need fast, effective help when crises hit—not delays or excuses,” the White House statement reads. “Local leaders and citizens know their needs best—not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.”

According to the White House, the move reflects the president’s belief that disaster preparedness and policies are integral to his “America first” strategy and follows through on his long-committed goal of restoring the balance of power to the people.

In early February, Trump said in a post on social media that FEMA should be abolished, saying that states should manage disaster response independently for greater efficiency and cost savings. He accused the agency of mismanaging disaster relief funds, disobeying orders, and favoring Democratic-led areas.

The agency has faced mounting scrutiny from Republicans over its handling of recent disasters, including hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the southeast United States in 2024.

The president signed an executive order Jan. 24 to establish a council to carry out a “full-scale review” of FEMA.

Cameron Hamilton, the current acting FEMA administrator, wrote on social media platform X that changes are coming to the agency.

“We have some work to do at FEMA, and we are ready to implement the President’s agenda and reform FEMA to better serve the American people,” he wrote on Jan. 26.

Tom Ozimek and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.