On April 27, 2021 Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas swore in Deanne Criswell as FEMA’s 12th Administrator, the first woman confirmed to serve in this role.
Administrator Criswell took the oath after receiving
unanimous support from the Senate. As Administrator, she is tasked with
reducing the loss of life and property, protecting the nation from all
hazards and leading the nation through a comprehensive emergency
management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery and
mitigation.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in emergency management, including serving as the Commissioner for New York City Emergency Management, as a member of the Colorado Air National Guard and deployed to numerous disaster assignments with FEMA, she also worked as a local firefighter and managed the Aurora, Colorado, office of emergency management.
“I believe the best way to balance the competing demands is to make risk reduction investments to build more resilient communities and infrastructure, including against the threat of climate change,” Criswell said during her confirmation hearing. “As an emergency manager, I have always focused on keeping families and communities safe. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to help the people of this country.”
Congratulations Administrator Criswell! ~ j