FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer

Abstract

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act - 42 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue "major disaster" or "emergency" declarations before or after catastrophes occur. Emergency declarations trigger aid that protects property, public health, and safety and lessens or averts the threat of an incident becoming a catastrophic event. A major disaster declaration, issued after catastrophes occur, constitutes broader authority for federal agencies to provide supplemental assistance to help state and local governments, families and individuals, and certain nonprofit organizations recover from the incident. The end result of a presidential disaster declaration is well known, if not entirely understood. Various forms of assistance are provided, including aid to families and individuals for uninsured needs and assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profits in rebuilding or replacing damaged infrastructure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 23, 2009
Accession Number
ADA494335

Entities

People

  • Francis X. Mccarthy

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • California
  • Commerce
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Disasters
  • Emergencies
  • Emergency Response
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Law
  • Local Governments
  • Money
  • National Governments
  • Natural Disasters
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.