Disaster Management: Improving the Nation's Response to Catastrophic Disasters
Abstract
FEMA was established in 1979 to consolidate federal emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities. Its responsibilities include, among other things, the coordination of civil defense and civil emergency planning and the coordination of federal disaster relief. FEMA responds to a wide range of disasters, including floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, hazardous material accidents, nuclear accidents, and biological, chemical, and nuclear attacks. To cope with disasters, FEMA has primarily (1) enhanced the capability of state and local governments to respond to disasters; (2) coordinated with 26 other federal agencies that provide resources to respond to disasters, such as DoD and the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development; (3) given federal assistance directly to citizens recovering from disasters; (4) granted financial assistance to state and local governments; and (5) provided leadership-through grants, floodplain management, and other activities-for hazard mitigation. FEMA conducts its disaster response and civil defense activities primarily under the authorities of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended. The Federal Response Plan is FEMA's blueprint for responding to all disasters and emergencies. The plan is a cooperative agreement signed by 26 federal agencies and the American Red Cross for providing services when there is a need for federal response assistance following any type of disaster or emergency. The present version of the plan-developed following dissatisfaction with the response to Hurricane Hugo in 1989-was completed in April 1992. Hurricane Andrew marked the first time the plan was fully used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- AD1180501
Entities
People
- Cheryl L. Kramer
- J. D. Peach
- Jeffrey Itell
- Margaret J. Reese
- Mary E. Roy
- Paul Bryant
- Stanley Czerwinski
- Valerie A. Rogers
- William Macblane
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office