House Democrats have pledged to investigate the agency's response to Hurricane Maria's strike on Puerto Rico. The storm left most of the commonwealth without electricity for months, and caused an estimated 2,975 deaths.

But Long, in his statement, said “With this administration's leadership, we also improved and transformed the field of emergency management.”

Dogged by ethics complaints

Long's tenure began with unusual bipartisan support — he was confirmed by a 95-4 vote — but was later dogged by ethics complaints regarding his use of government vehicles.

An inquiry by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General concluded that Long took government cars for his personal use despite FEMA's own lawyers telling him it wasn't appropriate.

Related: FEMA tells staffers they might get billed for working too much

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said that Long would have to reimburse the government for the cost of the vehicles and staff involved in the trips, many of which were between Washington and his home in North Carolina. The report puts that cost at $151,000.

“Over the last two years, administrator Long has admirably led the men and women of FEMA during very difficult, historic and complex times,” Nielsen said in a statement.

Former consultant, ran Alabama's emergency management agency

Before taking the FEMA post, Long worked at an emergency management consulting firm. Until 2011, he ran Alabama's emergency management agency.

“Under his leadership, the nation committed to one of the largest set asides for mitigation in history in last year's disaster reform bill,” Laura Lightbody, director of the flood-prepared communities initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts, said by email. “He also championed the need for states and localities to have more skin in the game when it comes to preparing, recovering and paying for disasters in the face of increasing federal costs.”

Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, said that Long deserves credit for shifting FEMA's focus toward what emergency managers call disaster mitigation — spending money to protect vulnerable communities before hurricanes, floods or wildfires occur, to reduce the damage later.

“We've had directors that talked a big game on mitigation, but man, Brock seemed to live and breath it,” Berginnis said by phone Wednesday.

Long also sparked an unusual level of devotion from the agency's employees, Berginnis said. “They would have jumped over a cliff for him.”

'Same cycle over and over again'

Earlier, when Hurricane Michael wiped out broad swaths of Florida, Long criticized the failure of citizens to heed evacuation warnings and leaders to better prepare for such natural disasters.

“It's frustrating to us because we repeat this same cycle over and over again,” Long said during a press briefing last year at FEMA headquarters in Washington. “If you want to live in these areas, you've got to do it in a more resilient fashion.”

Related: FEMA strips mention of 'climate change' from strategic plan

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