There are lots of openings I'm seeing, and I could qualify for a few different roles.

I've been working in tech for almost 20 years as Tech Writer, Content Designer, and Manager.

How might I go about figuring out where my skills could be best utilized?

I am currently in the Air Force Reserves as an Emergency Manager. I am also trying to get a full-time job as an EM though thought I'd start out doing FEMA reserves to make some connections. How does it work if I am in both? If I have a UTA weekend and also need to be deployed with FEMA, which one takes priority or is this even allowed?

Hi everyone,

Maybe someone here knows the answer to this. I'm in Surge Capacity Force and was originally supposed to deploy for Helene, but was rerouted to a different wave to help with Milton. I believe I remember hearing that FEMA had a waiver for the biweekly pay cap for volunteers and employees, but are they also doing one or planning to do one for Milton? My crew leader hasn't heard anything yet.

Thanks!

Our town in florida had some minor tree damage for the most part. Theres been an announcement that fema will be picking up storm waste. Does anyone know if trees in the storm waste need to be cut up? We dont have a saw.

FEMA moved under the DHS umbrella in 2017, which means mandatory security checks as part of the hiring process. Normally, not an issue (I'm a law-abiding guy), but the DHS added a residence requirement: if you spent most of the last 5 years living abroad, you're not welcome. :(

Last year, I made it allll the way to that point in the application process (fingerprints and all), and got turned down, all because I live in the scary, dangerous, terrible land known as Canada. 🙃

I would love to be part of the reservist corps (that's basically my dream job), and I can absolutely fly out to the staging point within 24 hours, but apparently, expats aren't welcome. I tried contacting my WA senator about this (she sits on the DHS subcommittee), but no luck.

Do you think this will ever change? Is there something I can try, short of moving back to the US?

I’ve been with the agency as a PA reservist for 5 years and have seen the articles/emails with the dire need for more staff to work the southeast. The disasters I’ve been working are winding down and I know they’re trying to keep as much HQ staff as possible, but does there come a point where they have to let us go? Are we near that point?

I’m just sitting hear thinking myself and other colleagues could be put to better use.

With all the talk about staffing shortages is it possible that FEMA could or would cancel PANA? And if so, what would that look like?

I expected ice storms to be low and hurricanes to be high.

Hey guys, I worked FEMA back in 2017 in florida and in puerto rico. I have worked for a vanguard and for WSP.

Unfortunately it's been a long time and I don't have any contacts there anymore. But I have 2 friends that that would like to sign up and they would be excellent for the job.

They have both contacted vanguard as well as WSP without any response. With hurricane milton coming up quick on the florida coast, I would think that FEMA would be overwhelmed especially with most inspectors deployed to Helene.

Do you guys have any tips on who to contact or how to get a hold of somebody that might be able to help then get signed up and badged?

is the fema Serious Needs Assistance payment ($750) a grant or loan

When I found myself engulfed in darkness, deprived of running water, and isolated without cell service, fear set in. I was left in a void of uncertainty, with no means of knowing how everyone—from my employer to my mother, local friends, and others—was faring. How severe was the storm? Where did it go?

I could endure for the weekend, but no longer. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to abandon the shadowed, dampening house and sought refuge in a hotel in a neighboring city.

Imagine my surprise when visiting Disaster Assistance, where I discovered the opportunity to complete a brief 10-minute assessment. To my immense relief, I was presented with the prospect of extended hotel accommodations for a significant duration—30 days—an unexpectedly substantial reprieve.

By the end of the day, it was confirmed that FEMA had provided us with a comprehensive list of pet-friendly hotels, some equipped with kitchenettes, for temporary stays. My landlord’s rapid response in such dire circumstances was commendable.

I am sincerely grateful. I fervently hope that anyone else enduring such a harrowing ordeal is able to receive the emergency assistance they so desperately need.

I am a current EMT and am interested in doing some sort of disaster relief work. Does FEMA hire/deploy EMT’s? If so how would I start the process?

I am a recent graduate and I just got my FJO as a local hire human services specialist. I'm very excited. I wanted to ask if there was anything I should know going forward? Thanks!

I have looked and can’t seem to find posts regarding the Safety Cadre, responsibilities on site, when and with whom they deploy. Is there anyone who can give me some information regarding the Safety Cadre please?

Currently on active deployment and won’t be able to go home to vote in November. Wondering if anyone has had to complete an absentee ballot while on deployment and if so how did you go about getting one to your location? Especially of that location is super rural.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!

I am about to go bootcamp for AF reserves and my job is emergency management. After my training I’d like to get a job at FEMA in the same capacity. I am looking at the job positions and they say you need to have at least one year experience in a lower pay level government position to get the job. Are they all like this or am I missing something? Will going through this training and having this position in the AF help me qualify for a position with FEMA? Any advice is appreciated on where to start.

How often do pdmg deploy me and another are currently on boarding and can’t really get a answer thanks

Hi all, I recently read on a post over at /r/EmergencyManagement that the PANA system is going to change soon. The gist I got is that instead of the usual allotted 90 days of unavailability, we’ll now have to put in when we’re available for deployments instead. This is the first time I’ve heard about it, which is why I’m curious to learn more. Does anyone have more details or a link that further explains the changes and what it’ll look like in practice, set limitations, and such? Any info provided will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Edit: New info has been released to each cadre and the new system will be implemented agency-wide for all reservists by November 2024!

Hi there!

So, I like many of you have applied for over 85 positions and counting. I have accepted a TJO for a FEMA Reservist role but still getting referrals and hopeful for a TJO for a CORE or Permanent role.

What happens if: you have accepted a FJO and started a role but received a TJO for a role that you applied for prior to accepting the the FJO for the role you would be currently in?

Can you accept the new, higher paying role? Or do you now have to adhere to the time limitations for remaining in your current role before moving?

Can someone give me some background on this job title like what I’ll be doing and deployments just received a tjo for it in the dc area my interview was not really informative on day to day interview good it at the dhs fair

Got a TJO for this position at the call center in Hyattsville, MD. It looks like there is promotion potential up to IC-9.

The hiring manager hasn't gotten back to me with what the schedule would be or if it's remote eligible; does anyone know? And can anyone give me an idea of how often/likely deployment is for this position?

I'm also confused about how overtime works. Isn't this a salaried position? How do I earn OT?

TIA :)

Are there any FEMA employees who deploy a lot in their roles and also have an apartment to stay in when you are not deployed? What if you are deployed frequently, how do you mitigate the cost of paying rent but not staying at home, especially if you live alone? Do you sublease or what housing arrangements do you have?

I currently do not have the luxury of staying with family or friends and lease an apartment but once I begin being deployed, I am worried about having rent money go down the drain if I am not living at my apartment. Thanks in advance for any insight.

I'm sure this is a stupid question but I'm coming out of high-school with not much experience in any kind of professional fields. I work as a surveyor full time during the summer and I will also be taking an EMT class next fall before I turn 18. Are there any jobs in FEMA I can do out of high school with no experience that involves going out and helping people like disaster relief or anything of a similar nature? If so what are they and how do I get started?

Hi! I’m considering some FEMA CORE roles in Florida and wanted to know if anyone has the GS Pay schedule for Grade 9 and Grade 11.

I want to know and see my negotiating power for this grade level