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Timothy Manning

Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness Directorate at Federal Emergency Management Agency (since May 2009)

(FEMA)

Why He Matters

Manning comes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with experience as a first responder and almost a decade in New Mexico's Office of Emergency Management. That combination of hands-on practice and understanding what state offices need from the federal government will serve him well in his new job as deputy FEMA administrator.

In that position, Manning will be responsible for developing a national emergency management plan and training local governments in responding to crises, a task with which the agency has long struggled.

More on: Timothy Manning

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At a Glance

  • Career History: State Director, New Mexico's Department of Homeland Security (2007 to 2009); Director, New Mexico's Office of Emergency Management (2003 to 2007); Chief of the Emergency Operations Bureau, New Mexico's Office of Emergency Management (2001 to 2003)
  • Hometown: Chicago, Ill
  • Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois University, B.A. (geology)
 

Path to Power

Manning was raised outside of Chicago. He earned his B.A. in geology at Eastern Illinois University.

He moved to New Mexico in 1994, where he served as a firefighter, and emergency medical technician, a rescue mountaineer, a hazardous materials specialist and a hydro-geologist.

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The Issues

Manning described the responsibilities of his new job as threefold: preparing for future crises, working with responders when disasters strike and actually serving during disasters if necessary.

Manning said his top priority will be better preparing responders to "work hand-in-hand during the response," he said at his May 2009 confirmation hearing. Manning proposed developing a system that would allow emergency personnel to readjust their responses in real time.

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The Network

In New Mexico, Manning worked closely with Gov. Bill Richardson (D), a former Clinton administration official with ties to President Barack Obama . In a statement, the governor praised Manning and said his state would benefit from "having a New Mexican in such a key national position."

At FEMA, Manning will work closely with Administrator William Craig Fugate , who also comes to the federal government with a background in state emergency management (in his case, Florida). He will also serve with DHS head Janet Napolitano and Deputy Secretary Jane Lute .

 

Additional Resources

  1. McKenna, Corey, "Tim Manning New Director of the Office of Homeland Security for New Mexico," GovTech, April 5, 2005
  2. "Nominations," Senate Committee on Homeland Security, April 30, 2009
  3. Reichbach, Matthew, "Tim Manning, ex-N.M. cabinet secretary, now working for FEMA," New Mexico Independent, May 11, 2009
  4. Hsu, Spence S., "States Feel Left Out Of Disaster Planning," The Washington Post, Aug. 8, 2007