Craig Fugate

Craig Fugate
Name	Craig Fugate
Birth date	12 November 1959
Birth place	Jacksonville, Florida
Nationality	United States
Occupation	Emergency management official
Known for	Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (2009–2017)
Alma mater	University of Florida
Office	Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Term start	2009
Term end	2017

Craig Fugate

Craig Fugate is an American emergency management official who served as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2009 to 2017. He is noted for operational reforms emphasizing interoperability, incident command, and whole-community preparedness across federal, state, and local partners including the Department of Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fugate has experience in state emergency management, private-sector consulting, and public speaking on disaster resilience and emergency communications.

Early life and education

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Fugate attended public schools in Alachua County, Florida and later studied at the University of Florida, where he completed coursework relevant to emergency services and management. His early service included roles with volunteer fire departments in Florida communities and training influenced by standards from organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association and the Federal Aviation Administration for incident response and coordination.

Career

Fugate began his career in emergency services as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician in Gainesville, Florida and surrounding jurisdictions. He advanced through local and regional emergency management roles in Alachua County, Florida and served as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management under governors from both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Fugate worked closely with state agencies including the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Health, and regional partners like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army during hurricanes and wildfires. He participated in multi-jurisdictional exercises coordinated with the Department of Defense, United States Coast Guard, and federal emergency response frameworks such as the National Response Framework and the National Incident Management System.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator

Nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate, Fugate led FEMA from 2009 through 2017, reporting to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and later Jeh Johnson. During his tenure FEMA coordinated responses to major disasters including Hurricane Irene (2011), Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Matthew (2016), and multiple wildfire and flood responses involving coordination with the National Weather Service, Federal Communications Commission, and Department of Transportation. Fugate emphasized adoption of the Incident Command System, expansion of the Emergency Alert System, and integration with private-sector partners such as Verizon Communications, AT&T, and satellite operators for resilient communications. He led initiatives on whole-community preparedness involving the American Public Health Association, National Governors Association, and tribal authorities, and championed programs linked to hazard mitigation funded through the Stafford Act and administered via FEMA grant programs in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Advisory Council and state emergency management agencies.

Under his leadership FEMA improved logistics and supply chain coordination with entities like the General Services Administration and United States Agency for International Development for domestic and international assistance. Fugate was involved in policy discussions with Congress of the United States on disaster funding, testimony before congressional committees including the United States House Committee on Homeland Security, and collaboration with international partners such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on lessons learned. He promoted social media use in disasters engaging platforms including Twitter-linked services, and interoperability standards coordinated with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Post-FEMA activities and consulting

After leaving FEMA, Fugate provided consulting and advisory services to nonprofit organizations, private firms, and municipal governments on resilience, business continuity, and emergency communications. He has worked with institutions such as the American Red Cross, Institute for Business and Home Safety, and private-sector firms in telecommunications and insurance to develop continuity plans and crisis response exercises. Fugate has lectured at universities including the Harvard Kennedy School, Florida State University, and professional forums organized by the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. He has been a commentator for media outlets such as NPR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times on disaster policy and preparedness.

Awards and recognition

Fugate has received honors and awards from organizations including the National Emergency Management Association, the International Association of Emergency Managers, and state-level commendations from Florida governors. He earned recognition for leadership during major events and for advancing emergency communications interoperability with acknowledgments from the Federal Communications Commission and private-sector partners. Fugate's work has been cited in policy discussions by the Bipartisan Policy Center and referenced in academic research published through institutions like the RAND Corporation and the Brookings Institution.

Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:People from Jacksonville, Florida Category:Federal Emergency Management Agency officials