Management of Hurricanes in the USA

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Management of Hurricanes in the USA

What does FEMA stand for?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an independent agency of

the federal government, reporting to the President.

What is its mission?

" to reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's

critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a

comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation,

preparedness, response and recovery."

When was it created?

It was created in 1979 but it can trace its beginnings to 1803, when the first disaster legislation was passed, to provide assistance to a New Hamphire town following an extensive fire. FEMA was formed by executive order from the many separate disaster-related functions and agencies that had existed previously.

The new agency developed an all-hazards approach that treated civil defense and natural hazards preparedness as similar emergencies. Since its creation, FEMA has responded to hundreds of disasters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Pacific Island Trust Territories and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What is its role?

FEMA is responsible for a whole manner of USA hazard management. It is

an independent federal agency which is based in Washington DC and has

regional offices across the country. FEMA has, in addition to its

27,000 employees, has 4,000 standby disaster staff available to help

out with disasters. They work in partnership with other organisations

such local emergency management agencies, 27 federal agencies and the

American Red Cross. They advise on building codes and flood plain

management...teaching people how to get through a disaster...helping

equip local and state emergency preparedness...coordinating the

federal response to a disaster...making disaster assistance available

to states, communities, businesses and individuals...training

emergency managers...supporting the nation's fire

service...administering the national flood and crime insurance

programs...the range of FEMA's activities is broad indeed.

ä Work with state and local officials to determine the scope of the disaster and essential needs in the impacted area;

ä Create and staff federal/state Disaster Field Offices and coordinate with other federal agencies under the Federal Response Plan;

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