FEMA's Search and Rescue Chief Resign

Resignation Confirmed

Yes, FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue Chief Ken Pagurek resigned on Monday, July 21, 2025. After spending more than a decade with FEMA's urban search and rescue system, including about a year as its chief, Pagurek said in his resignation letter that he was returning to the Philadelphia Fire Department. Multiple sources confirmed his departure to major news outlets including CNN and ABC News.

Reason for Departure

Pagurek told colleagues that the bureaucratic red tape that delayed the response was what pushed him to resign. According to two sources, Pagurek told colleagues the Texas response delay was the final straw after months of concerns over the Trump administration's efforts to weaken the agency. The resignation comes less than three weeks after catastrophic flooding in central Texas that killed at least 135 people.

Bureaucratic Delays

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in June started requiring funding requests over $100,000 to have her personal sign-off before being dispersed, something that reportedly complicated the response. Noem didn't authorize the deployment of FEMA's search and rescue teams until over 72 hours after the flooding. This new policy required Noem's approval for what FEMA officials called routine disaster response expenditures.

Department's Response

The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions and criticized Pagurek's resignation. "It is laughable that a career public employee, who claims to serve the American people, would choose to resign over our refusal to hastily approve a six-figure deployment contract without basic financial oversight," DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told ABC News. The department maintained they were being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

Broader Context

Some FEMA officials have balked at sweeping changes to FEMA under the Trump administration, which they believe have stripped the agency of its autonomy and undermined its ability to respond to disasters quickly and efficiently. President Trump has previously announced plans to "phase out" FEMA and shift more disaster response responsibility to states.

Professional Background

Pagurek had worked with FEMA's search and rescue operations for more than a decade and had served as its chief for the past year. He was previously a Philadelphia firefighter and the head of FEMA's Pennsylvania Task Force 1 search and rescue operation, and has responded to disasters including the Maui wildfires and the Surfside building collapse.

The resignation highlights ongoing tensions within FEMA as the Trump administration seeks to restructure the agency's operations and reduce federal disaster response capabilities.