Built for Bricks, Tested by Pandemics: FEMA Public Assistance

When disaster strikes, one federal program stands between a community and collapse — yet most leaders don't fully understand it until they desperately need it. FEMA's Public Assistance program moves billions of dollars into shatteredcommunities, but its rules, tradeoffs, and limitations can make or break a recovery. In this episode of DisasterSmiths®, two of the most experienced voices in the field pull back the curtain on how the program works and why the gap between policy and reality matters more than most people realize.This is a rare, unfiltered conversation that goes far beyond the basics. From the impossible tension between speed and accountability, to the extraordinary challenge of applying an infrastructure-built program to a global pandemic, our guests don't shy away from the hard questions. They distinguish the fair criticisms of FEMA Public Assistance from the myths and offer the kind of high-level strategic perspective that state and local leaders rarely get to hear. If your jurisdiction has ever struggled to navigate federal recovery dollars, this episode will inform how you approach the process. Featured GuestsTod Wells, Former Deputy Director, Public Assistance Division, FEMAHoward Stronach, Senior Advisor, Recovery, IEM