ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency To Act as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

This memorandum establishes the order of succession for the FEMA Director position when both the Director and Deputy Director are unavailable, listing four agency officers who would assume those duties under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The memorandum automatically terminates upon FEMA's transfer to the Department of Homeland Security, which occurred in 2003.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 79513

Impact dates

  1. Termination upon FEMA transfer to Department of Homeland Security

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for FEMA Director: US Fire Administrator, FIMA Administrator, Assistant Director for Administration and Resource Planning, Region IV Director
  • Exclude acting officeholders from succession by virtue of acting status
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from this order under FVRA
  • Terminate memorandum upon FEMA transfer to DHS
  • Direct FEMA Director to publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Order of succession takes effect upon signing for any current vacancies

Near term (90d)

  • FEMA transfer to DHS anticipated, which will terminate this memorandum

Long term

  • Superseded by subsequent DHS-era succession planning after March 2003 transfer

Risks & tensions

  • Succession list excludes senior operational roles (e.g., Response and Recovery) in favor of administrative and regional positions
  • Very short effective lifespan due to impending DHS reorganization (Homeland Security Act signed November 2002)
  • Presidential discretion clause in Section 2(b) may create uncertainty during actual emergency
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency To Act as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency · Executive Orders