FEMA’s Chief Of Urban Search And Rescue Branch Resigns

The move comes after months of frustration with the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle the agency.

The head of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Branch has resigned from his position.

Ken Pagurek’s departure comes just weeks after the catastrophic flooding in central Texas. A delayed FEMA response was due to bureaucratic hurdles put in place by the Department of Homeland Security.

It took more than 72 hours after the flooding for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to authorize the deployment of FEMA’s Search and Rescue network.

Pagurek reportedly said that the delay was the final straw that led to his voluntary departure. The move comes after months of frustration with the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the agency.

Pagurek spent over a decade with FEMA, including nearly a year as its chief. He said the decision to leave was not made lightly, but it is the right path for him at this time.