The way the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) distributes money to help with disasters is changing fast – and the Alabama EMA is already doing the work to be sure Alabama gets its fair share of this important federal funding.

That was the message that Alabama EMA Director Jeff Smitherman shared with county leaders at the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s annual conference in Orange Beach. The annual gathering of over 1,000 county leaders is an important venue for the state to communicate changes to local and county leaders – who are almost always the first to respond to disasters in our state.

The FEMA Review Council’s report, released in May 2026, points to major changes in FEMA’s operating structure – putting more responsibility on the states to help their citizens prepare for and manage disasters. The plan calls for major changes in FEMA’s funding processes – and Director Smitherman says the states that do the work now will reap the rewards for their citizens:

“The money’s coming – we need to be postured and prepared to handle it. If we aren’t doing that work now, then when that money does come then we, collectively as a state, are going to be left behind and other states are going to get that funding.”

Alabama EMA leadership will continue strategically adjusting to changes in federal funding processes to ensure Alabama remains well-funded during times of disaster.