Kelsey Goodman, a Hazard Mitigation Emergency Manager for FEMA’s Region 4, shed light on the agency’s evolving priorities, emphasizing that the number one goal of FEMA is instilling equity in emergency management—not to save lives or build stronger communities.

Following Hurricane Helene, residents in North Carolina expressed frustration over the lack of visible FEMA support in their communities, despite the widespread devastation and flooding. Many reported feeling abandoned, with Goodman noting there were ”Questions on the ground from home owners… asking where FEMA is, ‘Why aren’t they coming to help?”

Goodman expressed frustration about FEMA’s approach, stating that their internal narrative differed from the experiences of those in the affected areas. She explained that, internally, employees were told they were doing everything right, and “Anyone who has a problem with the way we’re doing things, they’re bad actors, they’re spreading misinformation.”

Moreover, Goodman pointed out FEMA’s increasing focus on equity initiatives, stating, “We are prioritizing disadvantaged communities when there’s no clear definition of what that is.” She argues that this focus detracts from FEMA’s core mission of assisting all Americans in urgent need following disasters. “When you’re dedicating that time and those resources to things that you can’t tie to fact… you’re not dedicating to the things that matter, which is helping American families stay safe,” she added.

Despite the risks of speaking out, Goodman felt compelled to share her perspective, stating, “If you feel a calling from the Lord…you need to speak the truth.”

She urged FEMA to refocus on the essentials of disaster response, declaring, “We have the resources. We need to get back to basics and use them to actually help people.”

WATCH: FEMA Whistleblower Goes Public, Reveals Agency’s Focus on ‘DEI Initiatives’ Over Disaster Response

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