Community Imperative: FEMA EMI Privatization. A possibility

           The writing is on the wall in bold.

“We must act as if we answer to, and only answer to, our ancestors, our children, and the unborn.”

Get your FEMA Student ID (SID), complete the two basic courses below.

Have a voice when the discussion starts with your local and congressional representatives.

Education and training vital for community sustainability and preparedness when disasters strike.

BEMA International

Released March 6, 2025 from BEMA Int BEFORE DISCUSSIONS OF PRIVATIZATION STARTS COURSES ARE FREE Paid with your tax dollars Don’t complain about missed opportunities when you may have saw the demise coming. RECOMMENDATION FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION  1.  FEMA SID. a.     Recommend that members request family members, friends, students (middle, high school, college), BUSINESS OWNERS, nonprofits, even i*******s obtain a FEMA SID # (student ID number)                                           i.     https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register 2.     Take the two basic independent study courses at FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI) a.     https://www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org/p/lets-get-started-with-your-fema.html 3.     Review 100’s of other courses at FEMA EMI, both ONLINE and On CAMPUS & Field Delivered Courses a.     Online:  https://training.fema.gov/is/crslist.aspx?lang=en b.     ON CAMPUS and Field Delivered Courses                                           i.     https://www.firstrespondertraining.gov/frts/npccatalog?catalog=EMI BEMA INTERNATIONAL

Released Feb 20, 2025

https://www.firehouse.com/careers-education/news/55269422/women-in-fire-training-seminar-axed-by-trump-order Women in Fire Training Seminar Axed by Tr**p Order Feb. 20, 2025 The annual event -- also open to men -- was slated to be held in May at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. Read full article at link above Released March 7, 2025 https://www.firehouse.com/operations-training/news/55273294/national-fire-academy-classes-cancelled-amid-review-of-programs   National Fire Academy Classes Cancelled Amid Review of Programs An email from FEMA Friday cancelled all on- and off-site classes sponsored by the National Fire Academy during a review of programs. March 7, 2025 Classes hosted at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, were cancelled, effective immediately, according to a notice sent out Friday. The notice, sent by FEMA, indicated that "FEMA is currently in the process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities." The email from FEMA stated: “For those courses that can continue virtually, we will do so, and you will receive more information soon. For those that are unable to proceed in a virtual format we will reevaluate rescheduling of courses once the review is complete.” Read full article at link above

 

 

 

 

Food Insecurity in the U.S.: We'd like to hear your stories. Federal funding freeze puts New Mexico farmers and ranchers at risk -

Attention: Federal funding freeze puts New Mexico farmers and ranchers at risk

"The recent federal funding freezes and agency layoffs are having significant and immediate consequences on the vital work we do to support agricultural resilience and land health across New Mexico—and this is something that all New Mexicans should be concerned about. These actions threaten the viability of producers who are working to improve soil health, increase water retention, and mitigate fire risk. Unless these programs are restored, this is going to have devastating economic and ecological consequences for New Mexico’s rural communities." — Leah Ricci, Quivira Coalition

New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and food security organizations are facing severe consequences due to federal funding freezes and agency layoffs. Despite court rulings ordering the release of obligated federal funds, critical projects remain stalled, leading to layoffs, mounting debt, and halted conservation work ahead of an expected hot and dry season.

The USDA has committed over $5.6 billion in contracts to New Mexico for food production, distribution, and conservation. Of this, $133.4 million was allocated for conservation projects through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in 2024, funded by the Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). However, the Trump Administration’s freeze on IRA-related EQIP funding has stalled $26.8 million intended for completed conservation projects.

On February 20, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the release of the first set of frozen EQIP IRA funds. Still, delays persist due to layoffs at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which manages EQIP contracts. NRCS staffing in New Mexico had increased to 161 employees, with a target of 190 by year-end, but 35 staff members were laid off in February. These cuts slow reimbursement processing and erode institutional knowledge needed for efficiency.

Further compounding the crisis, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and NRCS have begun closing offices, including Clovis, Roswell, Gallup, and Raton—four of 58 nationwide closures—with no relocation plans for displaced staff or critical paper records, including easement filings.

Beyond conservation, federal funding delays are restricting market access for farmers and ranchers, jeopardizing programs essential for local food systems. The Specialty Crop Block Grant, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure, and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs face a $7.5 million funding shortfall, delaying infrastructure improvements and food distribution to food-insecure New Mexicans. Funding for public schools to buy locally grown food is also at risk. Meanwhile, the Nutrition Incentive Program, which boosts fruit and vegetable purchases for low-income SNAP recipients, is under review with no clear timeline for reopening proposals.

Farmers and ranchers are also vital to climate resilience efforts. Programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Climate Smart Commodities fund wildfire risk reduction, water conservation, and soil health projects, helping New Mexico communities withstand natural disasters.

If USDA fails to fulfill its financial obligations, New Mexico will face increased farm losses, rising food insecurity, and reduced capacity to prepare for drought and wildfire. Urgent action is needed to prevent lasting damage to the state’s agricultural and food systems.

Please share this information with others you think might benefit from knowing. We would also like to hear from you, your organization, or the farmers you work with. 

 YOUR INPUT NEEDED

We've created this survey which will remain open to gather stories and feedback about how food, farming, and conservation are being impacted in New Mexico. Please share broadly and respond when you have stories you would like to share. 

Contributing organizations: 

• Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, 
• Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute, 
• New Mexico Farmers Market Association, 
• Farm to Table, 
• New Mexico Food and Ag Policy Council, 
• Latino Farmers and Ranchers, 
• Thornburg Foundation, 
• Quivira Coalition, 
• New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, 
• Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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