In 2003, following the September 11th attacks, Congress created the Dept. of Homeland Security(DHS). As a result Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) was absorbed into DHS. Since the transition, FEMA has lost its smart method of disaster of solving the problem before it happens. Instead it has focused on terrorism.
Return FEMA to its independent status.
FEMA should go back to natural disaster preparedness by funding for infrastructural improvements so the impact of the disaster is reduced or eliminated. For example, spend a small amount of money on fixing the dam/road/hospital/bridge before the flood/earthquake/hurricane/tornado rather than spending a lot of money after.
Many lives can be saved using this strategy.
There many real issues with our infrastructure that can be fixed.