On Monday, March 10, 2025, we learned that President Donald Trump intends to sign an executive order that could mark a shift in federal disaster policy. The stated goal is to reduce FEMA’s role and give more responsibility to state and local governments.

Some would (correctly, IMO) argue that state and local governments already have the ultimate responsibility. However, over decades, many state and local entities have grown increasingly dependent on federal funding for both disaster recovery and preparedness activities, creating a system where responsibility and financial capacity don't always align. While localities remain first line of preparedness and response, FEMA's budget and programs have become essential components of the emergency management ecosystem nationwide.

But, it seems, times are changing.

While campaigning against President Joe Biden, Trump took aim at FEMA, calling it ineffective, inefficient, and politically biased. He has since criticized the agency’s response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and wildfires in California.

“FEMA has not done its job for the last four years,” Trump said in one interview.

The new executive order reinforces this stance. According to a Fox News report, it states:

“This order restores state, local, and individual empowerment in disaster preparedness and response and injects common sense into infrastructure prioritization and strategic investments through risk-informed decisions that make our infrastructure, communities, and economy more resilient to global and dynamic threats and hazards.”

What Trump’s Order Means for Emergency Managers

With funding and structural changes likely, emergency managers are weighing the impact of this policy. A major concern is whether FEMA funding reductions will force local agencies to do more with fewer resources.

This creates a demand-resource gap - where citizens expect strong disaster preparedness, but federal support may be reduced. In the private sector, a mismatch like this would require businesses to innovate or risk failure. But for emergency management, failure isn’t an option.

So, how can local agencies maintain preparedness in this new environment?

Why Cutting Tabletop Exercises Isn’t the Answer

It might be tempting to cut back on tabletop exercises (TTXs) to save money.

Yet, as we shared in a recent article, 96% of emergency managers say these exercises are essential or important.

The only way to effectively deal with real-life crises is to simulate them, test your organization’s ability to respond, and plug gaps in your capabilities.

AI-Powered Tabletop Exercises: A Smarter Solution

The challenge with traditional tabletop exercises isn’t their effectiveness—it’s their cost and complexity. Large-scale exercises require months of planning, with manual processes and limited staffing, making them slow and expensive.

And with budget cuts looming, it might seem like the only way to keep going with tabletop exercises is to reallocate dollars from some other essential service.

That might have been true five, 10, or 20 years ago. But now there’s another alternative: use tools and tech to optimize your emergency exercise design process.

With AI, there’s a smarter way forward. AI-powered platforms can automate many aspects of crisis preparedness, reducing both time and cost. For example, generative AI tools like Preppr can:

• Automate checklists, documentation, and rule creation

• Reduce planning time by up to 90%, saving resources

• Lower costs, making frequent exercises possible

By leveraging AI, state and local governments can maintain crisis readiness despite federal funding changes.

Adapt Now or Fall Behind

A veteran emergency manager recently noted in response to Trump’s executive order:

“Every disaster starts and ends locally.”

Regardless of what happens next with FEMA, local agencies must stay ahead. AI-powered solutions ensure that preparedness continues—even if federal funding shifts.

With tools like Preppr, organizations can continue running cost-effective tabletop exercises for as little as $150 per month. No matter what happens in Washington, AI can help future-proof disaster preparedness.