FEMA Director who resigned after Texas floods is rejoining the Philadelphia Fire Department.

A significant transition has occurred within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Ken Pagurek, formerly a captain with the Philadelphia Fire Department, has resigned from his position as head of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue branch. This decision was reported on Monday by various news outlets, signaling a noteworthy shift in leadership amidst recent challenges faced by the agency.

Pagurek, who has dedicated over a decade to FEMA’s search and rescue operations and has served as chief for approximately one year, reportedly stepped down due to frustrations with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) handling of flood responses in Texas earlier this month. These floods have resulted in at least 135 fatalities, raising concerns about the timeliness and effectiveness of the federal response. According to reports, Pagurek expressed concerns over a new DHS policy that necessitated the personal approval of all contracts exceeding 0,000 by Secretary Kristi Noem. This policy could potentially delay critical disaster response efforts, which rely on swift and flexible action.

Rachel Cunningham, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Fire Department, confirmed Pagurek’s return to the department, although his precise role has not yet been disclosed. Records reflect that Pagurek had previously departed the fire department about a year prior to his resignation from FEMA.

In Pagurek’s resignation letter, which was examined by CNN, he indicated that the decision to leave was not made lightly and followed considerable reflection. While he did not specify the floods, his sentiments echoed the frustrations of colleagues regarding the limitations imposed by the new FEMA procedures.

DHS officials have publicly rebuffed claims of inadequacies in their response to the Texas floods. A spokesperson emphasized the importance of financial oversight in the approval process and dismissed perceptions of Pagurek’s resignation as an improper indictment of DHS’s management practices.

During his career, Pagurek has overseen various high-profile disaster responses, including his involvement in the management of search and rescue efforts following events such as the West Reading chocolate factory explosion in 2023, the 2013 Market Street building collapse, and the 2018 Hurricane Florence response in South Carolina. Notably, he also led operations during the tragic condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, in 2021, which resulted in the loss of 98 lives.

Pagurek’s resignation comes at a critical time as the nation grapples with the implications of disaster preparedness and response efficacy. The situation in Texas has drawn attention to the operational strategies of FEMA and the DHS, igniting discussions about the balance between prompt emergency response and necessary oversight.

The agency’s management of such crises remains under scrutiny, especially in light of the devastating impacts such floods can have on communities across the country.