May 7 (UPI) -- A group appointed by President Donald Trump made its final recommendations Thursday on changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, suggesting moves that would put more responsibility back on states and other authorities.
The changes also include reviews of agency staffing and privatizing flood insurance, The Hill reported.
"We need to refocus FEMA to get it back on what its mission originally was," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. FEMA is part of Homeland Security.
Panel members said FEMA has become too involved in politics, specifically mentioning state assistance during the coronavirus epidemic, The New York Times reported. Recommendations included changes in how FEMA helps state and local governments with financial recovery.
"Disaster response is complicated and increasingly expensive," the final report said. "With taxpayers bearing the burden of funding emergency management in the United States, it is the responsibility of every American to embrace their individual responsibility to lessen this burden by being prepared for disasters. ... As our nation returns ownership of emergency management back to local communities and their states, tribes and territories, we encourage every American to review their insurance policies and personal disaster plans as well as engaging with their local community leaders to be better prepared when disaster strikes."
