On Tuesday, President Trump signed an order shifting disaster preparedness duties from FEMA, which will change how the U.S. prepares for disasters.

Instead of the federal government (through FEMA) handling most of the planning, state and local governments will now take the lead. The goal as President Trump signed order shifting disaster preparedness duties from FEMA is to give local areas more control and make federal rules simpler.

What’s Happening?

The government will look at all disaster and infrastructure rules. Trump’s national security adviser has 240 days to suggest changes, and a national risk registry will be formed. This new list will show the biggest dangers to U.S. infrastructure, like bridges or power lines, instead of a one-size-fits-all plan.

New plans will be made in 90 days; advisers like Mike Waltz and Kevin Hassett will create a national resilience strategy to help the country bounce back from disasters. In 180 days, another plan will focus on protecting important infrastructure.

States and local governments will work more directly with the federal government and make their own smart choices for things like roads or buildings.

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How Does This Affect People?

States and towns will handle most of the disaster prep, with the federal government helping out less. The order doesn’t say how states will pay for this. Some worry they’ll get less federal cash and have to spend more themselves.

Experts like Shana Udvardy from the Union of Concerned Scientists think this might leave communities with less help for things like wildfires, hurricanes, or cyber-attacks. Officials claim this won’t shut down FEMA—it’s just a way to make it better after a review in January.

There will now be a shift in responsibility placing primary disaster preparedness duties on state and local governments, with the federal government as a supportive partner, not the lead.

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