Specialists advocate for the creation of a dedicated authority focusing on extreme weather safety measures
In the aftermath of numerous disasters that have hit the United States, the call for an independent investigative agency to review the aftermath of these events and make recommendations for future improvements has gained traction.
The House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a National Disaster Safety Board in 2022, but the bill died in the Senate. This is not the first time such a bipartisan bill has been considered; previous Congresses have looked at similar legislation, such as the "Disaster Learning and Lifesaving Act of 2020" and its reintroductions in 2021 and 2023.
Meteorologist-turned-congressman Eric Sorensen is now working on legislation to establish a National Weather Safety Board. Sorensen aims to introduce the bill this fall and has expressed a desire to have a Republican co-lead on board.
The proposed agency would be an independent, nonpartisan government entity tasked with reviewing the aftermath of U.S. disasters, uncovering any failures in response, and making recommendations for the future. The National Transportation Safety Board, founded in 1967, serves as a model for this kind of agency.
Craig Fugate, former FEMA administrator, raised the idea for a National Disaster Safety Board in 2019. Fugate suggested that an independent NTSB-style review board would reveal what really went wrong in the wake of deadly disasters and get to the question of why it happened.
Andy Winkler, who manages the Disaster Response Reform Task Force at the nonprofit Bipartisan Policy Center, stated that the need for an independent investigative agency for disasters is even greater today due to upheaval at federal agencies like FEMA and NOAA. Winkler expressed optimism that bipartisan support in recent years makes something like the National Disaster Safety Board have a path forward.
In 2021, dozens of organizations and disaster specialists submitted a support letter for a National Disaster Safety Board to members of the House of Representatives. The legislation is still being written, and Sorensen is consulting with contacts at the National Weather Service and working with attorneys to ensure it doesn't conflict with other laws.
It's worth noting that the idea of an independent investigative agency for disasters has been considered by disaster specialists before 2020. Journalist Andy Revkin has uncovered calls for a disaster review board dating back to 2006.
However, there are concerns about the establishment of such an agency. Federal agencies may not welcome an outside standing review of their actions, and governors and officials may not be keen on having a federal entity investigating their actions.
Despite these challenges, supporters of the National Disaster Safety Board argue that there is a lot that can be done better and prevented in the future if such an agency were established. With the economic impacts and significant loss of life that disasters bring, the potential benefits are clear.
In conclusion, the push for a National Disaster Safety Board continues, with Congressman Eric Sorensen leading the charge. The proposed agency, modelled after the National Transportation Safety Board, would provide an independent, nonpartisan review of U.S. disasters, uncovering errors in response and recommending future improvements. While challenges remain, the potential benefits for disaster response and recovery make this a worthwhile endeavour.
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