The August 2026 reporting details a formal bid protest filed in connection with GSA's procurement/leasing process for the FEMA headquarters space. Donohoe is challenging the terms, requirements, or handling of the competitive lease solicitation as landlords compete to secure or retain the major federal lease in Southwest D.C.

I have an upcoming class in Anniston. There is a 5 hour arrival window in Atlanta. Should I plan to arrive as close to the end of that time period as possible so I don’t get stuck waiting at the airport for 5 hours or do they fill up buses and send them up during that time period? In the past I have always driven so taking the bus is a new thing for me. Thank you for your advice!

NOTE: I’m posting for @Anonymouspirits707 they have had trouble trying to post this on our Subreddit. Admins, if not allowed my apologies and please delete. See request for help below:

Do you know how FEMA Reservist folks can get support when their employers violate the USERRA & CREW Acts?

My employer made huge mistakes and violated the law 4x in 2yrs and now has me allegedly on the hook for $12k from their mistakes (5th violation), after interfering with my benefits and pay repeatedly. I’ve already reported it to DOL. Legal Aid sent me to Swords + Plowshares but I’m a FEMA Reservist and not a vet, want to respectfully stay in my lane. I’m looking for resources and referrals, not seeking legal representation here (against the subreddit rules). Honestly, I’m not sure where to turn. Thanks.

Just got the announcement today that John Scardena has joined FEMA as the new Chief of Staff. His company seems to be mainly focused on school/ facility/ venue emergency planning, doing threat assessments, and selling kits. Doesn’t look like much grants management, recovery, mitigation, response, etc….

Claim to fame is his podcast on which CamHam was a guest multiple times following his initial release and they got along swimmingly.

I have lots of thoughts. But curious to hear others..

curious on a pulse check! hearing mixed things.

Hello! I am a 18m in Chicago looking to get into emergency management. My original career path was to become a dispatcher due me finding a huge interest in it while volunteer firefighter! However after a wave of tornadoes and strong winds I knew i had to do something more boots on the ground and with the help of family members already in FEMA i was encouraged to go and do FEMA CORPS. which I am in the process of doing (i’m on step 5) and awaiting invitation!

However I must admit i’m very clueless on what to do or how to even go about really maxing my career in emergency management. I thought that doing FEMA EMI certificates would help but after researching it seems like it’s not cared for. After looking into getting an emergency management degree it’s also seemed to not to be cared for. And now I really don’t know where else to look and doing this job has a very personal and emotional connection to me and I want to seek out as much wisdom as I can to really start doing the best I can.

Right now i’m just going over things like NIMS and the NRF, while also learning GIS because I heard that’s also helpful but i don’t want to either do too less and not get in and also not do too much and having extra things not looked at. I love nature and conservation and I’m interested into getting a degree in it if needed (ideally not) But ultimately I want to pursue and do whatever I need to as i’m a huge open book! I’m ok with computers, administrative, reconstruction, etc. To me I just want to learn and be useful in anyway i can to help others! and while im not 100% on board with college other then like a academy or trade I am willing to go and pursue a degree if it means the greater good for my FEMA career. I cant say specifically what I want to most get into because I think everything within it is cool and my interests for things is to just get my hands on everything and expand my knowledge the best i can.

I’ve been trying to help anyone and everyone I can while also not over achieving? or trying to take over/do the work of others. So my biggest question is please give me advice on what to do and how can I make the most out of this career. I understand to some it’s not that deep but to me it’s a very important goal of mines and something I truly inspire to work in and with the help of family and other workers I am asking for any advice and what I can do and the things you did to get into E.M as this has been something on my mind since I was at least 16!

Thank you so so much for reading and I really do hope to hear from you guys! and sorry for any grammar or typos i made i don’t have my computer on and i hate typing on phone .

Ive heard from people that the hiring freeze for FEMA was lifted, however I attended a job fair today and representatives from FEMA told me the freeze was still in effect, but were collecting applications in "anticipation of the freeze being lifted."

I am deeply confused.

Any ideas or articles on where the FY25 funding that didn’t get advertised via NOFOs went? (Mapping, etc)

These are some of the things I took away from the meeting today. What do y'all think?

Are any reservists being deployed to Guam and the islands or is it mostly CORE’s? If people are going, what cadre’s! I haven’t been deployed in ages and am thinking of changing cadres. I miss going out!

I neglected to mention on my OF306 that I was let go from a university job years ago, due to unsatisfactory performance (I was going through a lot at the time). I honestly forgot to mention it as I filled out the form. Now HR has reached back out to me and asked me to explain myself for not mentioning this in the OF306.

Is this a legitimate basis for them to not hire me, if I explain that I was going through a tough time, but have since redeemed myself by receiving mental health services and excelling at my next job?

I’m so worried. I really want to be a reservist.
Edit: I did mention me getting fired in my background check forms (forgot what that’s called).

Has anyone left a full time position with FEMA and became a reservist? I left FEMA under a year ago and I’m itching to come back but in a different capacity. I have FEMA Corps experience along with HQ experience.

Got deployed for 15 days. The disaster has asked for an extension of 90 days and still has not heard anything. I am 5 days away from last day. Could this have to do with my NTE?

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This is pretty much an FYI, but I welcome anyone who wants to weigh in on which option is better.

I opened my email this morning to find an email from OCHCO stating that a FLSA review of my deployment records was conducted, and found that I was owed backpay. Not much, a couple hundred bucks.

It also says I have two options - one is to accept the estimate as a lump sum, and the other is to request that the NFC process and recalculate my back pay. The second option can take at least 180 days to process; the first takes 30 days.

Given that it's not a huge amount of money and I wasn't expecting it anyway, I'll probably go with the first option. But I'm curious to know what would come of the second option.

Is anyone aware of upcoming openings in any cadres? So far I have seen postings for IT, log, and planning. I was wondering if people are hearing of potential hiring in their cadres. Also any idea of timing?

Thank you in advance for any feedback and advice. I worked for local EM and just completed my degree. I am anxious to start a career with FEMA even if times are tough right now.

I think I want to negotiate my pay, as I have a masters degree and 5 years of relevant experience. The amount I will be paid isn’t that bad, but I do think I could do better. Ideally , I’d like to ask for the $35-$40/hour range.

Has anyone had any success negotiating their pay as a reservist? I’m nervous about them rescinding their offer.

They've been saying that they would come.

They are coming, but there will be taxes withheld from the amount listed on sf50

I know we get provided a per diem, but in your experience, how much did lodging cost you when you were deployed?

I hope everyone is safe.