**Editor’s Note: This story has been modified from the original published version with a clarification on the status of FEMA’s operations in New Mexico, and updated financial reimbursement figures.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) – The claims office for the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon wildfire has been facing dozens of lawsuits over late, unpaid claims. And now, the federal office in charge of those claims is without a director.
Angela Gladwell, the now former director of FEMA’s Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Claims Office, stepped down from the top role on Wednesday, Jan. 17. FEMA says the roughly 1-year-old operation is consolidating its disaster response and claims processes into a singular, long-term operation. The Claims Office’s three total locations across Mora, Las Vegas and Santa Fe will all remain open.
“Angela Gladwell built this program from the ground up, and it was never going to be easy,” said FEMA spokesperson John Mills.
Attorney Brian Colón represents dozens of wildfire victims who are suing for late, unpaid claims. “My law firm for months, the people of northern New Mexico for months, elected officials, public policy leaders, have all said that Gladwell had to go,” said Colón.
Colón claims FEMA is breaking its own federal rules by not paying property owners for losses within the mandated 180-day time frame. “We have currently as of yesterday filed half a dozen lawsuits for about 84 plaintiffs who have all been traumatized again by the federal government,” said Colón.
Colón believes Director Gladwell’s exit is a first step in the right direction for victims. “Continuing with Gladwell was not the solution. At this point, what we want to make sure is that we don’t replace a failed bureaucrat with another bureaucrat,” said Colón.
The federal agency says it is ready to make improvements moving forward. “We are in the beginning stages of this transition. Leadership in New Mexico and all across FEMA have this as a major priority,” said Mills. “We need to do that faster, we need to streamline processes for people who have been affected, we need to cut red tape, we need to reduce the documentation burden on people who’ve been affected.”
FEMA says outstanding claims will continue to be processed without interruption despite Gladwell’s departure. As of our last check-in, the agency has approved, or paid out $319 million worth of claims. So far, claimants have submitted documentation requesting nearly $490 million worth of claims. Nearly $4 billion in government funding has been allocated to the disaster.
