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{{Short description|United States disaster response agency}}
{{Redirect|FEMA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = Federal Emergency Management Agency
| seal            = FEMA logo.svg
| seal_width      = 250
| logo            = Flag of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.svg
| formed          = {{start date and age|1979|4|1}}<ref name="ExecOrder-12127"/>
| jurisdiction    = [[United States Department of Homeland Security]]
| headquarters    = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| motto           = ''Helping people before, during, and after disasters''<ref name="FEMA Pub 1">{{cite web |title=FEMA Publication 1 |url=https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_publication-one_english_2025.pdf |website=FEMA |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>
| employees       = 17,300+ (2025)<ref name="Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations">{{cite web |title=Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations |url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/23_0926_dhs_procedures_related_to_lapse_in_appropriations_september_2023.pdf |website=www.fema.gov |publisher=Department of Homeland Security |access-date=28 September 2023 |language=en |date=22 September 2023}}</ref>
| budget          = $33.08 billion (2025)<ref name="FY23 Budget">{{cite web |title=DHS FEMA Budget Overview FY 2023 Congressional Justification |url=https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/Federal%20Emergency%20Management%20Agency_Remediated.pdf |website=FEMA |access-date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918012554/https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/Federal%20Emergency%20Management%20Agency_Remediated.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
| chief1_name     = ''Vacant
| chief1_position = 
| parent_department = [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]]
| website         = {{official URL}}
}}

The '''Federal Emergency Management Agency''' ('''FEMA''') is an agency of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] (DHS), initially created under President [[Jimmy Carter]] by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two [[Executive order (United States)|Executive Order]]s on April 1, 1979. The agency's primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and [[U.S. state|state]] authorities. The governor of the state in which the disaster occurs must declare a [[state of emergency]] and formally request from the [[President of the United States|president]] that FEMA and the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] respond to the disaster. The only exception to the state's gubernatorial declaration requirement occurs when an [[emergency]] or [[List of FEMA Disaster and other Emergency Declarations|disaster]] takes place on federal property or to a federal asset—for example, the 1995 [[Oklahoma City bombing|bombing]] of the [[Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building]] in [[Oklahoma City]], Oklahoma, or the [[Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] in the 2003 [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|return-flight disaster]].

While on-the-ground support of disaster recovery efforts is a major part of FEMA's charter, the agency provides state and local governments with experts in specialized fields, funding for rebuilding efforts, and relief funds for infrastructure development by directing individuals to access low-interest loans, in conjunction with the [[Small Business Administration]]. In addition to this, FEMA provides funds for response personnel training throughout the United States and funds for non-federal entities to provide housing and services for migrants released from Department of Homeland Security custody.

==History==
Federal [[emergency management]] in the U.S. has existed in one form or another for over 200 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Federal Emergency Management Agency|url=https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1823-25045-8164/pub_1_final.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130124355/https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1823-25045-8164/pub_1_final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 30, 2016|website=Fema.gov|access-date=February 3, 2017|date=November 2010}}</ref>

===Prior to 1930s===
A series of devastating fires struck the port city of [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], early in the 19th century. The [[7th United States Congress|7th U.S. Congress]] passed a measure in 1803 that provided relief for Portsmouth merchants by extending the time they had for remitting [[tariff]]s on imported goods. This is widely considered the first piece of legislation passed by the federal government that provided relief after a disaster.<ref>[http://www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=379 History of Federal Domestic Disaster Aid Before the Civil War] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214071621/http://www.semp.us/publications/biot_reader.php?BiotID=379 |date=December 14, 2011 }}, Biot Report #379: July 24, 2006. Suburban Emergency Management Project.</ref>

Between 1803 and 1930, ''[[ad hoc]]'' legislation was passed more than 100 times for relief or compensation after a disaster. Examples include the waiving of duties and tariffs to the merchants of New York City after the [[Great Fire of New York (1835)|great fire of New York in 1835]]. After the collapse of the [[John T. Ford]]'s [[Ford's Theatre|Theater]] in June 1893, the [[54th United States Congress|54th Congress]] passed legislation compensating those who were injured in the building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/legislative/guide/house/chapter-23-joint-fords-theater-disaster.html|title=Guide to House Records: Chapter 23 Ford's Theater Disaster|website=Archives.gov|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921185712/http://www.archives.gov/legislative/guide/house/chapter-23-joint-fords-theater-disaster.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Piecemeal approach (1930s–1960s)===
After the start of the [[Great Depression]] in 1929, President [[Herbert Hoover]] had commissioned the [[Reconstruction Finance Corporation]] in 1932.<ref>[http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/butkiewicz.finance.corp.reconstruction Article on the RFC from EH.NET's Encyclopedia]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205418/http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/butkiewicz.finance.corp.reconstruction |date=October 29, 2013}}</ref> The purpose of the RFC was to lend money to banks and institutions to stimulate economic activity. RFC was also responsible for dispensing federal dollars in the wake of a disaster. RFC can be considered the first organized federal disaster response agency.

The [[Federal Highway Administration|Bureau of Public Roads]] in 1934 was given authority to finance the reconstruction of highways and roads after a disaster. The [[Flood Control Act of 1944]] also gave the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] authority over flood control and irrigation projects and thus played a major role in disaster recovery from flooding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FLOOD.HTML|title=Flood Control Act of 1944|last=US Fish and Wildlife Service|website=Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226084251/https://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/FLOOD.HTML|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Department of Housing and Urban Development (1973–1979)===
Federal disaster relief and recovery was brought under the umbrella of the [[Department of Housing and Urban Development]] (HUD), in 1973 by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973,<ref name="Archives">{{cite web|title=Records of the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]|url=https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/311.html|website=National Archives |date=August 15, 2016|publisher=U.S. Government}}</ref> and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration was created as an organizational unit within the department. This agency would oversee disasters until its incorporation into FEMA in 1978.<ref name="Archives"/>

Prior to implementation of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 by E.O. 12127 and E.O. 12148, many government agencies were still involved in disaster relief; in some cases, more than 100 separate agencies might be jockeying for control and jurisdiction of a disaster.<ref name="FEMA History">[http://www.fema.gov/about/history.shtm "FEMA History"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509080630/http://www.fema.gov/about/history.shtm |date=May 9, 2008 }}. Federal Emergency Management Agency.</ref>

Over the years, Congress increasingly extended the range of covered categories for assistance, and several presidential executive orders did the same. By enacting these various forms of legislative direction, Congress established a category for annual budgetary amounts of assistance to victims of various types of hazards or disasters, it specified the qualifications, and then it established or delegated the responsibilities to various federal and non-federal agencies.<ref name="Bea">Bea, Keith, "Proposed Transfer of FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security", Order Code RL31510 (updated July 29, 2002), Report for Congress, Congressional Research Service: Library of Congress.</ref>

In time, this expanded array of agencies themselves underwent reorganization. One of the first such federal agencies was the [[Federal Civil Defense Administration]], which operated within the [[Executive Office of the President]]. Functions to administer disaster relief were then given to the President himself, who delegated to the Housing and Home Finance Administration. Subsequently, a new office of the Office of Defense Mobilization was created. Then, the new Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization, managed by the EOP; after that, the [[Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization]], which renamed the former agency; then, the [[Office of Civil Defense]], under the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] (DoD); the [[Department of Health, Education and Welfare]] (HEW); the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]]; the Office of Emergency Planning (OEmP); the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (replacing the OCD in the DoD); the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|Department of Housing and Urban Development]] (HUD) and the [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) (upon termination of the OEmP).<ref name="Bea"/>

These actions demonstrated that, during those years, the nation's domestic preparedness was addressed by several disparate legislative actions, motivated by policy and budgetary earmarking, and not by a single, unifying, comprehensive strategy to meet the nation's needs over time.<ref name="Falkenrath">Falkenrath, Richard S., "Problems of Preparedness: U.S. Readiness for a Domestic Terrorist Attack" (2001)International Security, Boston.</ref> Then, in 1978 an effort was made to consolidate the several singular functions; FEMA was created to house [[civil defense]] and disaster preparedness under one roof. This was a very controversial decision.<ref name="Bea"/>

===FEMA as an independent agency (1979–2003)===
{{redirect-distinguish-text|National Fire Prevention and Control Administration}}
[[File:US-FEMA-Pre2003Seal.svg|thumb|The FEMA [[Seal (emblem)|seal]] from 1981 to 2003]]
[[File:Flag of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.svg|thumb|The FEMA flag from 1981 to 2003 and 2022-present]]
FEMA was established under the 1978 ''Reorganization Plan No. 3'' and was activated by President [[Jimmy Carter]] in an Executive Order on April 1, 1979.<ref name="ExecOrder-12127">{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/offdocs/eo/eo-12127.htm|title=Executive Order 12127—Federal Emergency Management Agency |publisher=Federation of American Scientists}}</ref>

In July, Carter signed [[Executive Order 12148]] shifting disaster relief efforts to the new federal-level agency. FEMA absorbed the [[Federal Insurance Administration]], the [[United States Fire Administration|National Fire Prevention and Control Administration]], the [[National Weather Service]] [[Community Preparedness Program]], the Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from HUD. FEMA was also given the responsibility for overseeing the nation's Civil Defense, a function which had previously been performed by the Department of Defense's Defense Civil Preparedness Agency.

One of the disasters FEMA responded to was the dumping of toxic waste into [[Love Canal]] in [[Niagara Falls, New York]], in the late 1970s. FEMA also responded to the [[Three Mile Island accident|Three Mile Island]] nuclear accident where the [[nuclear power plant|nuclear-generating station]] suffered a partial [[Nuclear meltdown|core meltdown]]. These disasters, while showing the agency could function properly, also uncovered some inefficiencies.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}

In 1993, President [[Bill Clinton]] appointed [[James Lee Witt]] as FEMA Director. In 1996, the agency was elevated to cabinet rank;<ref name=rank>{{cite press release|title=President Clinton Raises FEMA Director to Cabinet Status |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency |date=February 26, 1996 |url=http://www.fema.gov/home/NWZ96/cabinet.htm |access-date=March 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970116185236/http://www.fema.gov/home/NWZ96/cabinet.htm |archive-date=January 16, 1997}}</ref> this was not continued by President George W. Bush.<ref name=cqfema>{{cite web |author=Fowler, Daniel |title=Emergency Managers Make It Official: They Want FEMA Out of DHS |publisher=CQ Politics |date=November 19, 2008 |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=hsnews-000002988269&cpage=1 |access-date=March 3, 2010 |quote=During the Clinton administration, FEMA Administrator James Lee Witt met with the cabinet. His successor in the Bush administration, Joe M. Allbaugh, did not. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081129170848/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=hsnews-000002988269&cpage=1 |archive-date=November 29, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} (Archived by WebCite at )</ref> Witt initiated reforms that would help to streamline the disaster recovery and mitigation process. The end of the [[Cold War]] also allowed the agency's resources to be turned away from civil defense to [[natural disaster]] preparedness.<ref name="FEMA History"/>

After FEMA's creation through reorganization and executive orders, Congress continued to expand FEMA's authority by assigning responsibilities to it. Those responsibilities include dam safety under the National Dam Safety Program Act; disaster assistance under the [[Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act|Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act]]; earthquake hazards reduction under the [[Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977]] and further expanded by Executive Order 12699, regarding safety requirements for federal buildings and Executive Order 12941, concerning the need for cost estimates to seismically retrofit federal buildings; emergency food and shelter under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987; hazardous materials, under the [[Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shelter and Services Program|url=https://www.fema.gov/grants/shelter-services-program|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821222259/https://www.fema.gov/grants/shelter-services-program|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2023|website=Fema.gov|access-date=December 19, 2024}}</ref>

In addition, FEMA received authority for counterterrorism through the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici amendment under the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996, which was a response to the recognized vulnerabilities of the U.S. after the [[sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway]] in 1995.<ref name="Falkenrath"/>

Congress funded FEMA through a combination of regular appropriations and emergency funding in response to events.<ref name="Murry">Murry, Justin (updated July 10, 2006). "Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2006", CRS Report for Congress, Congressional Research Service: The Library of Congress.</ref>

===FEMA under Department of Homeland Security (2003–present)===
[[File:Appropriations Act of 2004.jpg|thumb|President [[George W. Bush]] signs the [[Homeland Security Appropriations Act]] of 2004.]]

Following the [[September 11 attacks|attacks of September 11, 2001]], Congress passed the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]], which created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. FEMA was absorbed into DHS effective March 1, 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Should FEMA Remain Part Of Homeland Security?|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100012612|access-date=2021-09-21|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 2,600 full-time employees. It became Federal Emergency Management Agency again on March 31, 2007, but remained in DHS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006|url=https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/Post_Katrina_Emergency_Management_Reform_Act_pdf.pdf|access-date=2024-09-26|website=doi.gov|language=en}}</ref>

President Bush appointed [[Michael D. Brown]] as FEMA's director in January 2003. Brown warned in September 2003 that FEMA's absorption into DHS would make a mockery of FEMA's new motto, "A Nation Prepared", and would "fundamentally sever FEMA from its core functions", "shatter agency morale" and "break longstanding, effective and tested relationships with states and first responder stakeholders". The inevitable result of the reorganization of 2003, warned Brown, would be "an ineffective and uncoordinated response" to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.<ref name="Grunwald-2005-12-23">{{cite news|first1=Michael |last1=Grunwald |first2=Susan |last2=Glasser
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/22/AR2005122202213.html|title=Brown's Turf Wars Sapped FEMA's Strength|newspaper=The Washington Post|page=A01|date=December 23, 2005|access-date=April 18, 2007}}</ref>

[[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005 demonstrated that the vision of further unification of functions and another reorganization could not address the problems FEMA had previously faced. The "Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina", released February 15, 2006, by the U.S. Government Printing Office, revealed that federal funding to states for "all hazards" disaster preparedness needs was not awarded unless the local agencies made the purposes for the funding a "just terrorism" function.<ref name="SenateBP">Senate Bipartisan Committee (February 15, 2006), "The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, D.C.</ref> Emergency management professionals testified that funds for preparedness for natural hazards were given less priority than preparations for counter-terrorism measures. Testimony also expressed the opinion that the mission to mitigate [[vulnerability]] and prepare for natural hazard disasters before they occurred had been separated from disaster preparedness functions,  making the nation more vulnerable to [[List of United States hurricanes|known hazards, like hurricanes]].<ref name="SenateBP-p208">Senate Bipartisan Committee, 2006, p. 208.</ref>

After allegations of mismanagement during Hurricane Katrina, the [[National Disaster Medical System]] (NDMS) was transferred from the Department of Homeland Security to the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] by the [[Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act]], signed by President George W. Bush on December 18, 2006. In the same year, congress passed the [[Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006]], which made FEMA a more independent agency within DHS, and better define its primary mission.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=History of FEMA {{!}} FEMA.gov |url=https://www.fema.gov/about/history |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}</ref> The act also added a Surge Capacity Force, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to supplement FEMA employees with additional personnel from various federal departments in the event the agency is overwhelmed. The Force has been activated for [[Hurricane Sandy]], [[Hurricane Harvey]], [[Hurricane Irma]], [[Hurricane Maria]], and the [[2017 California wildfires]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 30, 2013 |title=Surge Capacity Force |url=https://www.dhs.gov/surge-capacity-force |accessdate=2021-06-03}}</ref>

In fall 2008, FEMA took over coordination of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security#Ready.gov|Ready Campaign]], the national public service advertising campaign in collaboration with the [[Ad Council]], to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The Ready Campaign and its Spanish-language version Listo asks individuals to do three things: build an emergency supply kit,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit|title=Build A Kit {{!}} Ready.gov|website=Ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041434/https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit|archive-date=November 1, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> make a family emergency plan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan|title=Make A Plan {{!}} Ready.gov|website=Ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref> and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur and how to respond.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/about-us|title=About the Ready Campaign {{!}} Ready.gov |website=Ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref> The campaign messages have been promoted through television, radio, print, outdoor and web PSAs,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Emergency-Preparedness|title=Emergency Preparedness|newspaper=AdCouncil|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025095303/http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Emergency-Preparedness|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as brochures, toll-free phone lines and the English and Spanish language websites.

In 2013, as a response to FEMA's response to [[Hurricane Sandy]], congress passed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 which allowed federally recognized tribes to directly request a presidential declaration of emergency.<ref name=":1" />

[[Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act|The Stafford Act]] was amended by the [[Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act]] (PETS Act) in 2006, and the [[Disaster Recovery Reform Act]] (DRRA) in 2018.<ref name=":1" /> DRRA made efforts to focus FEMA effort on improving resiliency, preparedness, and mitigating vulnerabilities for large disasters.<ref name=":1" />

FEMA was put in charge of procuring medical supplies during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/22/politics/pritzker-illinois-states-competing-medical-supplies/index.html|title=Illinois governor says 'it's a wild west' for medical supplies because of Trump's response to states' requests|access-date=March 23, 2020|date=March 22, 2020|first=Devan|last=Cole}}</ref>

According to a tweet posted on April 12, 2022, by [[Deanne Criswell]], the FEMA flag, used between 1981 and 2003, was reintroduced.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

=== FEMA under second Trump Administration (2025) ===
The Trump administration has the stated goal of reducing or eliminating the federal role of FEMA, and having individual states assume emergency management responsibilities instead.<ref name=":2" /> In 2025, FEMA was subjected to cuts by the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], firing more than 200 new and veteran employees on February 17, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Thomas |author2=E&E News |title=FEMA Firings Hit Agency Already Suffering Staffing Shortages |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-fema-firings-hit-agency-already-suffering-staffing-shortages/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> On March 24, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary [[Kristi Noem]] said she would move to eliminate FEMA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruberry |first=Brendan |title=DHS Sec. Noem says will move to 'eliminate' FEMA, a long-time Trump target |url=https://www.semafor.com/article/03/24/2025/dhs-sec-kristi-noem-says-administration-will-move-to-eliminate-fema |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Semafor |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2025, the interim leader of FEMA, [[Cameron Hamilton]], was dismissed from his position one day after he testified to Congress: "I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flavelle |first=Christopher |date=2025-05-08 |title=Leader of FEMA Is Dismissed as Trump Administration Takes Aim at the Agency |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/politics/fema-cameron-hamilton.html |access-date=2025-07-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was replaced as interim FEMA leader by Marine Corps veteran [[David Richardson (government official)|David Richardson]], who promptly told FEMA staff: "I alone in FEMA, speak for FEMA … Don't get in my way … because I will run right over you. I will achieve the president's intent."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sganga |first1=Nicole |title=New FEMA head tells staff: "Don't get in my way… I will run right over you" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fema-acting-administrator-david-richardson-staff-meeting/ |access-date=May 11, 2025 |work=CBS News |date=May 9, 2025}}</ref>

In August 2025, more than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed an open letter, later called the "Katrina Declaration," which criticized recent policy changes under the Trump administration and warned they undermined the agency’s ability to respond to disasters.<ref name="Politico2025">{{cite news |last=Snell |first=Kelsey |date=August 25, 2025 |title=FEMA staffers rebuke Trump administration in dissent letter |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/25/fema-staffers-rebuke-trump-administration-00522644 |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref name="Guardian2025">{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Emily |date=August 25, 2025 |title=FEMA employees warn Trump policies are undermining disaster readiness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/25/fema-trump-hurricane-katrina |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The letter cited requirements for DHS approval of FEMA contracts, the reassignment of staff to immigration enforcement, cuts to preparedness programs, and the suppression of climate science. Following the letter, several current FEMA employees who signed by name were placed on paid administrative leave.<ref name="WP2025">{{cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Sarah |date=August 26, 2025 |title=FEMA employees put on leave after open letter criticizing Trump administration |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/08/26/fema-employees-leave-trump-administration-letter/ |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="AP2025">{{cite news |date=August 26, 2025 |title=Some FEMA staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter |url=https://apnews.com/article/4794981bba6415451add5423530159ec |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> FEMA stated the leave was not disciplinary, while critics and advocacy groups described it as retaliatory and raised concerns about political interference in FEMA operations.<ref name="ABC2025">{{cite news |date=August 26, 2025 |title=FEMA employees who signed letter critical of administration placed on leave |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fema-employees-signed-letter-monday-critical-admin-leave/story?id=125014793 |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=ABC News}}</ref><ref name="Reuters2025">{{cite news |date=August 27, 2025 |title=FEMA workers put on leave after letter criticizing Trump administration, group says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fema-workers-put-leave-after-letter-criticizing-trump-administration-group-says-2025-08-27/ |access-date=August 27, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

Richardson, the acting FEMA administrator, resigned on November 17, 2025. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Acharya |first=Bhargav |date=November 17, 2025 |title=Acting head of FEMA resigns after short tenure, Washington Post reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/acting-head-fema-resigns-after-short-tenure-washington-post-reports-2025-11-17/ |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

==Organization==
During the debate of the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]], some called for FEMA to remain as an independent agency. Following the failed response to [[Hurricane Katrina]], critics called for FEMA to be removed from the Department of Homeland Security.<ref>[https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/HSPI_FEMA_IssueBrief_01.13.09.pdf Serving America's Disaster Victims: FEMA Where Does it Fit?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904081420/https://cchs.gwu.edu/sites/cchs.gwu.edu/files/downloads/HSPI_FEMA_IssueBrief_01.13.09.pdf |date=September 4, 2015 }} Homeland Security Policy Institute. January 13, 2009.</ref> Today, FEMA exists as a major agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The Administrator for Federal Emergency Management reports directly to the [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|Secretary of Homeland Security]]. In March 2003, FEMA joined 22 other federal agencies, programs and offices in becoming the Department of Homeland Security. The new department, headed by Secretary [[Tom Ridge]], brought a coordinated approach to national security from emergencies and disasters – both natural and man-made.

FEMA manages the [[National Flood Insurance Program]]. Other programs FEMA previously administered have since been internalized or shifted under direct DHS control.

FEMA is also home to the National Continuity Programs Directorate (formerly the Office of National Security Coordination). ONSC was responsible for developing, exercising, and validating agency-wide [[continuity of government]] plans as well as overseeing and maintaining continuity readiness including the [[Mount Weather]] Emergency Operations Center. ONSC also coordinated the continuing efforts of other Federal Executive Agencies.

FEMA began administering the [[Center for Domestic Preparedness]] in 2007.

FEMA administers the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) which provides funding to state governments, local governments, Tribal governments, and Territorial governments along with specified Urban Areas and counties along international borders to invest in security enhancements. HSGP is broken out into three primary grant programs: State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). As of 2024, the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) is funded as a percentage carveout of HSGP as well. The [[Nonprofit Security Grant Program]] (NSGP) used to be funded under the HSGP as well, but Congress now funds that program separate from HSGP. NSGP provides funding for nonprofit organizations more at risk to terrorist actions and domestic violence extremeism to invest in target hardening. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations such as educational facilities, hospitals, and house of worship. In 2024, FEMA administered over $3 billion across the suite of homeland security grants.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reese |first1=Shawn |title=Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Grants: A Summary and Issues |url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/homesec/R44669.pdf |publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]] |access-date=28 March 2024 |date=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref name="CRS2022">{{cite web |title=Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Summary and Potential Issues for Congress |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11861/2 |publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]] |access-date=28 March 2024 |date=2022-02-18}}</ref><ref name="Billion">{{cite news |last1=Deutch |first1=Gabby |title=Schumer calls for $1 billion in federal nonprofit security funding |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2023/11/chuck-schumer-national-security-grant-program-antisemitism/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[Jewish Insider]] |date=2023-11-06}}</ref><ref name="Newlines">{{cite news |last1=Beutel |first1=Alejandro |title=Assessing the Non-Profit Security Grant Program After Colleyville |url=https://newlinesinstitute.org/nonstate-actors/civil-society/assessing-the-non-profit-security-grant-program-after-colleyville/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[New Lines Institute]] |date=2022-02-15}}</ref><ref name="JI2022">{{cite news |last1=Rod |first1=Marc |title=NSGP funding increase called a positive step, but also disappointing shortfall |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2022/12/nonprofit-security-grant-program-funding-religious-institutions-nonprofits-security/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=[[Jewish Insider]] |date=2022-12-21}}</ref>

===Budget===
In 2018, FEMA had an annual budget of $30 billion<ref name = "budget2018">[https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/FEMA%20FY18%20Budget.pdf "Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fiscal Year 2018"].</ref> that is used and distributed in different states according to the emergencies that occur in each one. An annual list of the use of these funds is disclosed at the end of the year on FEMA's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/hurricane-sandy-anniversary-2014-billions-dollars-federal-aid-still-unpaid-1715019 |title=Hurricane Sandy Anniversary 2014: Billions Of Dollars In Federal Aid Still Unpaid|website=[[International Business Times]]|date=October 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?318471-1/fy2015-fema-budget|title=FY2015 FEMA Budget|website=C-span.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2014/12/19/FEMA-Wasted-Billions-Administrative-Costs|title=FEMA Wasted Billions on Administrative Costs|website=Thefiscaltimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/07/08/why-new-jersey-got-billions-less-in-fema-sandy-aid-than-new-york/|title=Why New Jersey Got Billions Less Than New York in FEMA Disaster Aid After Sandy – NJ Spotlight|website=Njspotlight.com|date=July 9, 2015}}</ref>

===Regions===
[[File:Fema regions map.png|FEMA Regions map grouped by states and number|alt=|center|frameless|700x700px]]
*Regional map<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/about/regions |title=Regional Operations &#124; FEMA.gov |access-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715092937/http://www.fema.gov/regional-operations |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
** Region 1, Boston, MA – Serving CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
** Region 2, New York, NY Serving NJ, NY, PR, USVI
** Region 3, Philadelphia, PA Serving DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
** Region 4, Atlanta, GA Serving AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
** Region 5, Chicago, IL Serving IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
** Region 6, Denton, TX Serving AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
** Region 7, Kansas City, MO Serving IA, KS, MO, NE
** Region 8, Denver, CO Serving CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
** Region 9, Oakland, CA Serving AZ, CA, HI, NV, GU, AS, CNMI, RMI, FM
** Region 10, Bothell, WA Serving AK, ID, OR, WA

=== Cadres ===
FEMA maintains 23 cadres of various work functions and skillsets to prepare, respond, and recover from various disasters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Cadres |url=https://www.fema.gov/careers/paths/cadres |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=Federal Emergency Management Agency}}</ref>

* Acquisitions (ACQ)
* Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
* Civil Rights (CVR)
* Disability Integration (DI)
* Disaster Emergency Communications (DEC)
* Disaster Field Training Operations (DFTO)
* Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA)
* Environmental/Historic Preservation (EHP)
* External Affairs (EA)
* Field Leadership (FL)
* Financial Management (FM)
* Hazard Mitigation (HM)
* Human Resources (HR)
* Individual Assistance (IA)
* Information Technology (IT)
* Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC)
* Logistics (LOG)
* Office of Chief Counsel, Legal Affairs (OCC)
* Operations (OPS)
* Planning (PLAN)
* Public Assistance (PA)
* Safety (SAF)
* Security (SEC)

==Pre-disaster mitigation programs==
FEMA's Mitigation Directorate<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060413144804/http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/mitigation.shtm#2 "Mitigation"]. Federal Emergency Management Agency.</ref> is responsible for programs that take action before a disaster, in order to identify risks and reduce injuries, loss of property, and recovery time.<ref name="fact sheet">[https://archive.today/20121212034400/http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3032 "FEMA's Mitigation Directorate Fact Sheet"]. Federal Emergency Management Agency.</ref> The agency has major analysis programs for [[flood]]s, [[hurricane]]s and [[tropical storm]]s, dams, and [[earthquake]]s.<ref name="fact sheet"/><ref>[http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_overview.shtm HAZUS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704163333/http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_overview.shtm |date=July 4, 2012 }} is a computer model for hurricane, earthquake, and flood damage estimates.</ref>

FEMA works to ensure affordable flood insurance is available to homeowners in flood plains, through the [[National Flood Insurance Program]], and also works to enforce no-build zones in known flood plains and relocate or elevate some at-risk structures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/srl/index.shtm |title=FEMA: Severe Repetitive Loss Program |access-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702010815/http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/srl/index.shtm |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Pre-Disaster Mitigation grants are available to acquire property for conversion to open space, retrofit existing buildings, construct [[Tornadoes in the United States|tornado and storm]] shelters, manage vegetation for erosion and fire control, and small flood control projects.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070715144433/http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2128 "Grant Program Comparison: Mitigation Division Grant Programs"].</ref>  Critics say this program is underperforming because it is starved for funding compared to disaster response and recovery, the process of applying for a buyout is unreasonably slow, and is wasting taxpayer dollars because the National Flood Insurance Program has paid to reconstruct some properties up to 18 times.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2017/09/27/553934600/debt-laden-fema-is-slow-to-act-on-program-that-buys-flooded-houses Debt-Laden FEMA Is Slow To Act On Program That Buys Flooded Houses]</ref>  1% of NFIP-insured properties are responsible for more than one quarter of the money the program has paid out.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/09/29/554603161/episode-797-flood-money Planet Money – Episode 797: Flood Money]</ref>

The '''Hazard Mitigation Grant Program''' funds rebuilding after a current disaster in a way that reduces the impact of a similar future disaster.<ref>[https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/hazard-mitigation Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)]</ref>

==Response capabilities==
[[File:20201211 Billion dollar events related to climate change - U.S. -en.svg|thumb|upright=1.5| NOAA's [[National Centers for Environmental Information]] (NCEI) has reported growing numbers of weather and climate-related events costing at least a billion dollars each,<ref name=BillionDollarDisastersNOAA_2023>Annual data: {{cite web |title=Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters / United States Billion-Dollar Disaster Events 1980- (CPI-Adjusted) |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/time-series/US |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113044752/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/time-series/US |archive-date=13 January 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> exceeding the 1980–2019 [[Consumer price index|inflation-adjusted]] average of 6.6 such events.<ref name=NCEI_thru202009>{{cite journal |title=Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Overview / 2020 in Progress |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/ |website=NCDC.NOAA |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information (NCDC, part of NOAA) |access-date=11 December 2020 |doi=10.25921/stkw-7w73 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210044128/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/ |archive-date=10 December 2020 |date=December 2020 |url-status=live|last1=Smith |first1=Adam B. |author2=NOAA National Centers For Environmental Information }} and {{cite web |title=Contiguous U.S. ranked fifth warmest during 2020; Alaska experienced its coldest year since 2012 / 2020 Billion Dollar Disasters and Other Notable Extremes |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/national-climate-202012 |website=NCEI.NOAA.gov |publisher=NOAA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108185719/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/national-climate-202012 |archive-date=8 January 2021 |date=January 2021 |url-status=live }} For 2021 data: {{cite web |title=Calculating the Cost of Weather and Climate Disasters / Seven things to know about NCEI's U.S. billion-dollar disasters data |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/calculating-cost-weather-and-climate-disasters |website=ncei.noaa.gov |date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111143455/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/calculating-cost-weather-and-climate-disasters |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
FEMA's emergency response is based on small, decentralized teams trained in such areas as the [[National Disaster Medical System]] (NDMS), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team (DMORT), [[Disaster medical assistance team|Disaster Medical Assistance Team]] (DMAT), and Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS).

===National Response Coordination Center (NRCC)===
FEMA's National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) is a multiagency center located at FEMA HQ that coordinates the overall Federal support for major disasters and emergencies, including catastrophic incidents in support of operations at the regional level. The FEMA Administrator,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-1246/final_national_response_framework_20130501.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925060557/http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-1246/final_national_response_framework_20130501.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2013|title=National Response Framework : Second Edition|date=May 2013|website=Fema.gov|access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref> or their delegate, activates the NRCC in anticipation of, or in response to, an incident by activating the NRCC staff, which includes FEMA personnel, the appropriate Emergency Support Functions, and other appropriate personnel (including nongovernmental organization and private sector representatives). During the initial stages of a response, FEMA will, as part of the whole community, focus on projected, potential, or escalating critical incident activities. The NRCC coordinates with the affected region(s) and provides needed resources and policy guidance in support of incident-level operations. The NRCC staff specifically provides emergency management coordination, planning, resource deployment, and collects and disseminates incident information as it builds and maintains situational awareness—all at the national-level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2002-2009-fpc.state.gov/70271.htm|title=FEMA's State-of-the-Art National Response Coordination Center|website=2002-2009-fpc.state.gov|access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308000405/http://2002-2009-fpc.state.gov/70271.htm|archive-date=March 8, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> FEMA maintains the NRCC as a functional component of the NOC for incident support operations.<ref>{{cite book|title=National Response Framework|date=May 2013|page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fema.gov/employee-news-and-announcements/national-response-coordination-center-it-takes-whole-community|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118112628/https://www.fema.gov/employee-news-and-announcements/national-response-coordination-center-it-takes-whole-community|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2012|title=National Response Coordination Center: It Takes A Whole Community for Response|website=Fema.gov|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>

An example of NRCC activity is the coordination of emergency management activities that took place in connection with the [[2013 Colorado floods]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hstoday.us/industry-news/general/single-article/fema-monitors-colorado-flooding-supports-state-local-response/4249676e84e5995ade9232ec49d2052b.html|title=Homeland Security Today: FEMA Monitors Colorado Flooding; Supports State, Local Response<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=HSToday.us|access-date=December 16, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130921183840/http://www.hstoday.us/industry-news/general/single-article/fema-monitors-colorado-flooding-supports-state-local-response/4249676e84e5995ade9232ec49d2052b.html|archive-date=September 21, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Disaster Medical Assistance Teams===
[[File:FEMA - 38464 - DMAT team IOWA-1 assisting a resident in Texas.jpg|thumb|DMAT team deployed for [[Hurricane Ike]] in Texas]]
[[Disaster Medical Assistance Team]]s (DMAT) provide medical care at disasters and are typically made up of doctors and paramedics. There are also National Nursing Response Teams (NNRT), National Pharmacy Response Teams (NPRT) and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT). Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) provide mortuary and forensic services. National Medical Response Teams (NMRT) are equipped to decontaminate victims of chemical and biological agents.

===Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)===
The [[FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force|Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces]] perform rescue of victims from structural collapses, confined spaces, and other disasters, for example, mine collapses and earthquakes.

===Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS)===
[[File:U.S. presidential mobile phone alert (animated).gif|thumb|right|Presidential mobile phone alert for national emergencies]]
[[File:Hurricane Ike Sabine Pass TX FEMA motorhome.jpg|thumb|right|FEMA vehicle provides communications support after a major hurricane.]]
These teams provide communications support to local public safety. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone, and power generation at a staging area near a disaster so that the responders can communicate with the outside world. There are also Mobile Air Transportable Telecommunications System (MATTS) assets which can be airlifted in. Also, portable cell phone towers can be erected to allow local responders to access telephone systems.

The first test of the national wireless emergency system by FEMA was broadcast to an estimated 225 million electronic devices at 14:18 EDT on October 3, 2018. The text message was accompanied by a flashing warning sign and warning tone. The president may direct FEMA to broadcast such alerts only for national emergencies or if the public is in danger. The facility may not be used for personal messages from the president. Mobile phone owners can not opt out of these warnings.<ref>[https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/01/presidential-alert-system-emergency-vail-colorado/ Here's what Vail learned when it tried out the "Presidential Alert" messaging system FEMA will test Wednesday] Denver Post, 2018-10-01.</ref><ref>[https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/03/presidential-alert-goes-nationwide/ "Presidential alert" sounds off on mobile phones nationwide]  Denver Post, 2018-10-03.</ref>

===Preparedness for nuclear incidents===
On August 1, 2008, FEMA released "Planning Guidance for Protection and Recovery Following Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) and Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) incidents",<ref>FEMA, DHS [http://www.fema.gov/good_guidance/download/10260 "Planning Guidance for Protection and Recovery Following RDD and IND incidents"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518082349/http://www.fema.gov/good_guidance/download/10260 |date=May 18, 2011 }}. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref> which provide an action guide in the case of [[radioactive contamination]]. This guidance is specified as action guide for Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDD) and Improvised Nuclear Devices (IND) involving high levels of radiation. According to the [[Federation of American Scientists]], during the [[Cold War]] FEMA prepared assessments of the likely consequences of a full-scale Soviet [[nuclear attack]] on the United States for use in planning mitigation and recovery efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Federal Emergency Management Agency |date=April 1987 |title=Nuclear Attack Planning Base - 1990 : Final Project Report (NAPB-90) |url=https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/napb-90/index.html |via=The Nuclear Information Project of the Federation of American Scientists}}</ref> FEMA also prepared plans for evacuating major U.S. cities in response to a nuclear war, dubbed [[CRP-2B]].<ref name=fas>{{cite conference |url=https://fas.org/sgp/othergov/doe/lanl/lib-www/la-pubs/00173165.pdf |title=NUCLEAR WINTER: THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF HUMAN SURVIVAL |last1=Bumstead |first1=Pamela |date=December 6, 1985 |publisher=American Anthropological Association |location=Washington, D.C. |conference=84th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association
 }}</ref>

===Training===
FEMA offers a large number of training classes, either at its own centers, through programs at the state level, in cooperation with colleges and universities, or online. The latter are free classes available to anyone, although only those with U.S. residency or work eligibility can take the final examinations. More information is available on the FEMA website under the "Emergency Personnel" and "Training" subheadings. Other emergency response information for citizens is also available at its website.

FEMA runs the Incident Workforce Academy, a two-week emergency preparedness training program for FEMA employees. The first class of the academy graduated in early 2014.<ref>Limardo, Jessica. [http://bioprepwatch.com/threats/first-fema-incident-workforce-academy-class-graduates/335954/ "First FEMA Incident Workforce Academy class graduates"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140213184323/http://bioprepwatch.com/threats/first-fema-incident-workforce-academy-class-graduates/335954/ |date=February 13, 2014 }}. ''BioPrepWatch''. February 13, 2014. (Retrieved February 13, 2014).</ref>

The Training and Education Division within FEMA's National Integration Center directly funds training for responders and provides guidance on training-related expenditures under FEMA's grant programs. Information on designing effective training for first responders is available from the Training and Education Division. Emergency managers and other interested members of the public can take independent study courses for certification at FEMA's online [[Emergency Management Institute]].

====Emergency Management Institute training and certifications====
{{see also|Emergency Management Institute}}
EMI offers credentials and training opportunities for United States Citizens. Note that students do not have to be employed by FEMA or be a federal employee for some of the programs. However, they do need to create a FEMA SID to take the final exams<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.training.fema.gov/programs/|title=Emergency Management Institute (EMI) – EMI Programs and Activities|website=Training.fema.gov|access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417084904/http://training.fema.gov/programs/|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

EMI maintains a strategic partnership with [[Frederick Community College]]. FCC has contracted with the Emergency Management Institute to provide college credit for the Independent Study Program (ISP). FCC offers eight specialized Letters of Recognition, an Undergraduate Certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Management.<ref name="Emergency Management">{{cite web |url=http://www.frederick.edu/courses_and_programs/degree_emergency_management.aspx |title=Emergency Management |date=April 4, 2014 |website=Frederick.edu|access-date=April 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220170515/http://www.frederick.edu/courses_and_programs/degree_emergency_management.aspx |archive-date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

==FEMA Corps==
FEMA Corps, who range in age from 18 to 26 years old, is a cadre dedicated to disaster response and recovery. It is a new partnership between The Corporation for National and Community Service's [[AmeriCorps]] NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) and FEMA.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120913084001/http://www.fema.gov/blog/2012-03-13/announcing-creation-fema-corps Announcing the Creation of FEMA Corps]. FEMA.gov (June 16, 2012). Retrieved August 16, 2013.</ref>
The Corps, described as a "dedicated, trained, and reliable disaster workforce", works full-time for 10 months on federal disaster response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness efforts across numerous sections. Over 150 members of the inaugural FEMA Corps class graduated in June 2013, at the Southern Region AmeriCorps NCCC campus in [[Vicksburg, Mississippi]]. The Pacific Region campus in Sacramento, California and the Southern Region campus both support a FEMA Corps class annually.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-nccc | title=Join AmeriCorps NCCC | date=September 16, 2022 }}</ref> The Corps work on teams of 6 to 10 people and follow the traditional NCCC model of living together and traveling together. In addition to working with FEMA, Corps members must perform AmeriCorps responsibilities such as Physical Training three times a week, National Days of Service, and Individual Service Projects in communities throughout the United States. Members receive $6.10 a day for food ($15 a day when deployed to on disaster project) and a living stipend of approximately $3,500 over 10 months (Approximately $175 every two weeks). Team leaders receive a larger stipend of approximately $10,000 over the course of 10 months (Approximately $500 every two weeks). The Segal AmeriCorps education award is distributed to Corps members who successfully finish their term of service, completing 1,700 or more total hours. The amount of a full-time Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is equivalent to the maximum value of the Pell Grant for the fiscal year in which the term of national service is approved, and can therefore change between different classes.<ref>[https://www.dhs.gov/blog/2012/09/14/welcome-fema-corps-inaugural-class Welcome to the FEMA Corps Inaugural Class |Homeland Security]. Dhs.gov (September 14, 2012). Retrieved August 16, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award Segal AmeriCorps Education Award]. Americorps.gov Retrieved March 2, 2023</ref>
[[File:Blue Unit.jpg|thumbnail|FEMA Corps Pacific Region Blue Unit]]

===Donations management===
FEMA has led a [[Public-Private Partnership]] in creating a National Donations Management Program making it easier for corporations or individuals not previously engaged to make offers of free assistance to States and the Federal Government in times of disaster. The program is a partnership among FEMA, relief agencies, corporations/corporate associations and participating state governments.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

==Criticisms==
{{See also|Criticism of the United States government#Criticism of agencies}}

===Hurricane Andrew===
{{see also|Hurricane Andrew}}
In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck the [[Florida]] and [[Louisiana]] coasts with 165&nbsp;mph (265&nbsp;km/h) sustained winds. FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Andrew, summed up by the famous exclamation, "Where in the hell is the cavalry on this one?" by Kate Hale, emergency management director for [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]]. FEMA and the federal government at large were accused of not responding fast enough to house, feed and sustain the approximately 250,000 [[Homelessness in the United States|people left homeless]] in the affected areas. Within five days the federal government and neighboring states had dispatched 20,000 [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] and active duty troops to South Dade County to set up temporary housing. This event and FEMA's performance was reviewed by the National Academy of Public Administration in its February 1993 report "Coping With Catastrophe" which identified several basic paradigms in Emergency Management and FEMA administration that were causes of the failed response.

FEMA had previously been criticized for its response to [[Hurricane Hugo]], which hit [[South Carolina]] in September 1989, and many of the same issues that plagued the agency during Hurricane Andrew were also evident during the response to [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005.

Additionally, upon incorporation into DHS, FEMA was legally dissolved and a new Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate was established in DHS to replace it. Following enactment of the [[Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006]] FEMA was reestablished as an entity within DHS, on March 31, 2007.

===Southern Florida hurricanes===
South Florida newspaper ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' has an extensive list of documented criticisms of FEMA during the four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004.<ref name="ss-overview">{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-femacoverage,0,6697347.storygallery?coll=sfla-news-utility|title=Sun-Sentinel Investigation: FEMA|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=February 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220220845/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-femacoverage,0,6697347.storygallery?coll=sfla-news-utility|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Some of the criticisms include:
* When [[Hurricane Frances]] hit [[South Florida]] on [[Labor Day]] weekend (over 100 miles north of Miami-Dade County), 9,800 Miami-Dade applicants were approved by FEMA for $21 million in storm claims for new furniture; clothes; thousands of new televisions, microwaves and refrigerators; cars; dental bills; and a funeral even though the Medical Examiner recorded no deaths from Frances. A U.S. Senate committee and the inspector general of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] found that FEMA inappropriately declared Miami-Dade county a disaster area and then awarded millions, often without verifying storm damage or a need for assistance.<ref name="ss-thunderstorm">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|first2=Megan|last2=O'Matz|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10oct10,0,4751704.story|title=FEMA Gave $21 Million in Miami-Dade, Where Storms Were 'Like a Severe Thunderstorm'|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=October 10, 2004|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=June 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625022705/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10oct10,0,4751704.story|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ss-homestead">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema08jun08,0,1732468.story|title=Homestead Women Sentenced to Probation for Cheating FEMA|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=June 8, 2005|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817071049/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema08jun08,0,1732468.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* FEMA used hurricane aid money to pay funeral expenses for at least 203 Floridians whose deaths were not caused by the 2004 hurricanes, the state's coroners have concluded. Ten of the people whose funerals were paid for were not in Florida at the time of their deaths.<ref name="ss-funerals">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10aug10,0,2326863.story|title=FEMA Paid for at Least 203 Funerals Not Related to 2004 Hurricanes|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 10, 2005|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201251/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10aug10,0,2326863.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The rising sea levels, global temperatures, and increase of flooding and severe storms has called for a change within the procedure of flood insurance. The communities that are directly impacted by these changes include coastal communities and waterfront homes. The procedural design of flood insurance is done through [[FEMA]]'s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) [[National Flood Insurance Program]]. Previously the Insurance Program created in 1968 was constructed around the "100-year floodplain" which is the "area that would be inundated by the [[100-year flood]], better thought of as an area that has a one percent or greater chance of experiencing a flood in any single year",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Q. 16, Short EAF (Part 1) 100 Year Flood Plain - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation |url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/90565.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=www.dec.ny.gov}}</ref> and large subsidies for coastal homes, especially in [[Florida]]. However, in 2019, major changes were made, and the new program called Risk Rating 2.0 was introduced, which prices a house on its individual flood risk.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flavelle |first=Christopher |date=2021-09-24 |title=The Cost of Insuring Expensive Waterfront Homes Is About to Skyrocket |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/climate/federal-flood-insurance-cost.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It will account for the distance one's house is from a flood source, the types and frequency of flooding, and characteristics of the cost to rebuild. This new program will greatly impact states like Florida that have intense risk of hurricanes and [[sea level rise]]. Through the initial program, the homes on the coast were mostly being subsidized at the cost of the homeowners more inland, and more likely lower-income and people of color.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} However, as previously stated, with Risk Rating 2.0, homeowners in higher risk areas of greater flooding will be paying for that risk through insurance, and with that may come with re-evaluating the longevity of one's place on the coasts of Florida. On the other hand, with FEMA's program as a national program, we{{Who|date=May 2022}} see different impacts in places like New England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2021 |title=FEMA's flood insurance system, prices changing |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/environment/femas-flood-insurance-system-prices-changing/97-75693fbc-a012-4649-af4c-2a9003e8edb0 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=newscentermaine.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It has been indicated that states like Maine will be greatly impacted positively by the new program. The bays, inlets, and coves are proved to be good protective measures for most  waterfront properties. In addition to Maine, states like Iowa and Nebraska will see impacts to their flood insurance policies. It is stated that almost 50% of Nebraskans and 40% of Iowans will see a decrease in their policies.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-fema-e2-80-99s-new-flood-insurance-rules-affect-nebraska-iowa/ar-AAQzeKf "How FEMA's New Flood Insurance Rules Affect Nebraska, Iowa." n.d. Www.msn.com. Accessed November 18, 2021.]</ref> Overall we{{Who|date=May 2022}} see many different types of complications to this new set-up, such as retirees on fixed incomes, long-term mortgages, and depreciation of household value. As this program is relatively new, impacts of the program will continue to be seen in the following years.

===Hurricane Katrina===
[[File:Katrina-14451.jpg|thumb|Evacuees taking shelter at the [[Astrodome]] in [[Houston, Texas]]]]
{{see also|Criticism of the government response to Hurricane Katrina}}
FEMA received intense criticism for its response to the [[Hurricane Katrina]] disaster in August 2005. FEMA had pre-positioned response personnel in the Gulf Coast region. However, many could not render direct assistance and were able to report only on the dire situation along the Gulf Coast, especially from New Orleans. Within three days, a large contingent of [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] and [[active duty]] troops were deployed to the region.

The enormous number of evacuees simply overwhelmed rescue personnel. The situation was compounded by flood waters in the city that hampered transportation and poor communication among the federal government, state, and local entities. FEMA was widely criticized for what is seen as a slow initial response to the disaster and an inability to effectively manage, care for, and move those who were trying to leave the city.

Then-FEMA Director [[Michael D. Brown]] was criticized personally for a slow response and an apparent disconnection with the situation. Brown would eventually be relieved of command of the Katrina disaster and soon thereafter resigned.

According to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina:<ref>[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/execsummary.pdf "Executive Summary, Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211115815/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/execsummary.pdf |date=February 11, 2012 }}. February 15, 2006. [[U.S. Government Printing Office]]. Retrieved June 11, 2007.</ref>
*"The Secretary [[Department of Homeland Security]] should have designated the Principal Federal Official on Saturday, two days prior to landfall, from the roster of PFOs who had successfully completed the required training, unlike then FEMA Director Michael Brown. Considerable confusion was caused by the Secretary's PFO decisions."
*"DHS and FEMA lacked adequate trained and experienced staff for the Katrina response."
*"The readiness of FEMA's national emergency response teams was inadequate and reduced the effectiveness of the federal response."
*"Long-standing weaknesses and the magnitude of the disaster overwhelmed FEMA's ability to provide emergency shelter and temporary housing."
*"FEMA logistics and contracting systems did not support a targeted, massive, and sustained provision of commodities."
*"Before Katrina, FEMA suffered from a lack of sufficiently trained procurement professionals."

[[File:FEMA - 14850 - Photograph by Win Henderson taken on 09-05-2005 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|A DMAT member assures a rescued man that the trip to the airport will be safe.]]
Other failings were also noted. The Committee devoted an entire section of the report to listing the actions of FEMA.<ref name=repreport>[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fema.pdf "FEMA, Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302124745/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fema.pdf |date=March 2, 2012 }}. February 15, 2006. [[U.S. Government Printing Office]]. Retrieved June 11, 2007.</ref>  Their conclusion was:

<blockquote>For years emergency management professionals have been warning that FEMA's preparedness has eroded. Many believe this erosion is a result of the separation of the preparedness function from FEMA, the drain of long-term professional staff along with their institutional knowledge and expertise, and the inadequate readiness of FEMA's national emergency response teams. The combination of these staffing, training, and organizational structures made FEMA's inadequate performance in the face of a
disaster the size of Katrina all but inevitable.<ref name=repreport/></blockquote>

Pursuant to a temporary restraining order issued by Hon. [[Stanwood Duval|Stanwood R. Duval]], United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana as a result of the [[McWaters v. FEMA]] class-action, February 7, 2006, was set as the deadline for the official end of any further coverage of temporary housing costs for Katrina victims.<ref name="Duval-2005">{{cite web |last=Duval|first=Stanwood R. Jr.|author2=United States District Court|author3=Eastern District of Louisiana|date=December 12, 2005 |url=http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/05-5488order.pdf|title="Order of December 12, 2005" (Rec. Doc. No. 63) |quotation="Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488) |website=USCourts.gov|access-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307150128/http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/05-5488order.pdf|archive-date=March 7, 2007|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Duval-2006">{{cite web|last=Duval|first=Stanwood R. Jr.|author2=United States District Court |author3=Eastern District of Louisiana|url=http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/order011206.pdf|title="Modified Order of January 12, 2006" (Ref. Doc. No. 74)|quotation="Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488)|website=USCourts.gov|access-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415094442/http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/order011206.pdf|archive-date=April 15, 2007|df=mdy}}</ref>

After the February 7 deadline, Katrina victims were left to their own devices either to find permanent housing for the long term or to continue in social welfare programs set up by other organizations. There were many Katrina [[Internally displaced person|evacuees]] living in temporary shelters or [[FEMA trailer|trailer parks set up by FEMA]] and other relief organizations in the first months after the disaster hit, but much more were still unable to find housing.

In July 2007, ice that had been ordered for Katrina victims but had never been used and kept in storage facilities, at a cost of $12.5 million, was melted down.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fema-to-melt-ice-stored-since-katrina/ "FEMA To Melt Ice Stored Since Katrina"] . [[CBS News]].</ref>

In June 2008, a CNN investigation found that FEMA gave away about $85 million in household goods meant for Hurricane Katrina victims to 16 other states.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/11/fema.giveaway/index.html FEMA Gives Away $85 Million of Supplies for Katrina Victims"]. [[CNN]].</ref>

===Buffalo snowstorm===
FEMA came under attack for their response to the [[October Surprise Storm]] in [[Buffalo, New York]], on October 13, 2006. As FEMA legally cannot interfere with state business unless asked, FEMA responded that as per procedure, the governor of the state of New York, [[George Pataki]], had not asked for FEMA's assistance. FEMA Headquarters had been in constant contact with State congressional offices providing them with the latest information available. Claims state that FEMA officials did not arrive until October 16, three days after the storm hit. The [[snowstorm]] damage by this time included downed power wires, downed trees, and caused structural damage to homes and businesses.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070218064718/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=30859 "FEMA Replies to Unjustified Claims Regarding FEMA's Response To Early Snowstorm In Western New York"]. Federal Emergency Management Agency.</ref>

===Dumas, Arkansas, tornadoes===
Many people of [[Dumas, Arkansas]], especially victims of [[tornadoes]] on February 24, 2007, criticized FEMA's response in not supplying the number of new trailers they needed, and sending only a set of used trailers, lower than the needed quantity. Following the storm, [[United States Senate|U.S Senator]] [[Mark Pryor]] had criticized FEMA's response to the recovery and cleanup efforts.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornados/2007-03-08-fema-response_n.htm "Ark. Pols Blast FEMA for Tornado Response"]. ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref>

===California wildfires===
{{see also|2007 California wildfires}}
FEMA came under intense criticism when it was revealed that a press conference on the [[October 2007 California wildfires]] was staged. Deputy Administrator [[Harvey E. Johnson Jr.|Harvey E. Johnson]] was answering questions from FEMA employees who were posing as reporters. Many of these questions were "softball" questions (i.e., "Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?"), intentionally asked in a way that would evoke a positive response giving the impression that FEMA was doing everything right. In this way, any scrutiny from real reporters (many of whom were given only a 15-minute notice) would have been avoided. Fox News, MSNBC, and other media outlets aired the staged press briefing live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/26/fema-softball-presser/|title=FEMA Stages Press Conference: Staff Pose As Journalists And Ask 'Softball' Questions|website=ThinkProgress.org|access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522034446/http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/26/fema-softball-presser/|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Real reporters were notified only 15 minutes in advance and were able to call into only a conference line, which was set to "listen-only" mode. The only people there were primarily FEMA public affairs employees.<ref>Ripley, Amanda (October 28, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030121734/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1677166,00.html "Why FEMA Fakes It with the Press"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''.</ref>

===Hurricane Maria===
{{see also|Hurricane Maria}}
FEMA has funded over 11,000 recovery projects totaling more than $33.9 billion for Hurricane María, primarily focused on restoring permanent infrastructure. This includes nearly $600 million approved for materials and equipment to help rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid. Planned improvements include the installation of approximately 2,500 miles of transmission lines, 23 miles of submarine cable to serve the islands of Vieques and Culebra, more than 300 substations, nearly 200,000 transformers, and about 13,400 miles of distribution feeders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-11 |title=FEMA Achieves 11,000 Projects Obligated for Puerto Rico |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240711/fema-achieves-11000-projects-obligated-puerto-rico |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title=Nearly $600 Million in FEMA Funding Injection to Rebuild Power Grid |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20220613/nearly-600-million-fema-funding-injection-rebuild-power-grid |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck [[Dominica]] and [[Puerto Rico]] with 175&nbsp;mph (280&nbsp;km/h) sustained winds. Maria was the fifth-strongest storm to ever strike the United States with stronger winds than those brought by [[Hurricane Irma|Irma]] and similar rain brought to Houston by Hurricane Harvey.<ref name="widener.edu">{{Cite magazine |last=Vick |first=Karl |date=October 9, 2017 |title=The Island and the Storm: Puerto Rico was wrecked by Hurricane Maria, then ignored by the mainland |department=Nation |magazine=TIME Magazine |pages=26–31 |volume=190 |issue=14 |issn=0040-781X |id={{EBSCOhost|125386172}}}}</ref> 
Despite FEMA's preemptive efforts in Puerto Rico, the island was still devastated beyond expectation. The agency had prepared some provisions for displaced residents before the storm struck, including: roughly 124 FEMA staff members being positioned on the island, food, water, and bedding.<ref name="widener.edu" /> However, people reported the FEMA food packages were unhealthy snacks such as the confectionery [[Skittles (confectionery)|Skittles]].<ref name="skittles">{{cite news|title=Are Hurricane Maria Survivors Getting 'Skittle Meals' From The Government?|url=http://www.snopes.com/2017/10/16/hurricane-maria-skittle-meals/|access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Snopes.com|date=October 16, 2017}}</ref> FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Maria, as the island quickly fell into a humanitarian crisis.<ref name="humanitarian crisis">{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Deirdre|title=Ryan says Puerto Rico will get aid, calls situation 'a humanitarian crisis'|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/paul-ryan-puerto-rico-humanitarian-crisis/index.html|access-date=October 17, 2017|website=Cnn.com|date=September 26, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Maria 2017 - yet to authorize">{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Alexia Fernandez|title=FEMA has yet to authorize full disaster help for Puerto Rico |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/3/16400510/fema-puerto-rico-hurricane?yptr=yahoo|access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Vox.com|date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>

The island also experienced a massive loss of power as a result of flood and wind damage sustained during Maria. In the beginning of October 2017, Lieutenant General [[Todd T. Semonite|Todd Semonite]], chief and commanding general of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, explained the extent of and necessity of aid for this power crisis. Semonite described some specifics of the outage to reporters, explaining that the island requires "2,700 [[Watt#Megawatt|megawatt]]s of electricity to operate and at last count had 376 megawatts available." This translates to about 14 percent of the grid being functional.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/fema-administrator-puerto-ricos-politics-lack-of-unity-hindering-hurricane-response/2017/10/09/f1711996-ad10-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html|title=FEMA administrator: Puerto Rico's politics, lack of unity, hindering hurricane response |first1=Joel |last1=Achenbach|first2=Arelis R.|last2=Hernández|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2017 |via=www.WashingtonPost.com}}</ref>

FEMA Administrator [[Brock Long|William "Brock" Long]] told reporters in a briefing following the storm that Puerto Rico politics had hindered the ability of the federal government to send aid. He explained that political divisions had prevented unity for leaders in this time of crisis, describing that their issue was "even worse" than the mainland United States' issue between Democrats and Republicans. Residents, in some cases, were required to fill out paperwork in English rather than Spanish with little to no hope of receiving the aid they had requested.<ref name="auto"/>

Brigadier General [[José J. Reyes|Jose Reyes]] of the [[Puerto Rico National Guard]] discussed a strategy to quicken the arrival of resources via the Port of Ponce, located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/12501/Puerto_Rico_port:PONCE|title=Port of PONCE (PR PSE) details – Departures, Expected Arrivals and Port Calls – AIS Marine Traffic|website=MarineTraffic.com|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> Reyes also attributed the delay in these services to the unprecedented series of storms that demanded attention from the agency within a short period of time. Regarding this, General Reyes told reporters " We were not even getting back on our feet after Irma, then suddenly we got hit by Maria." He also addressed the disparities between aid sent to mainland disaster-stricken areas and Puerto Rico, explaining that in areas such as Florida and Texas, who had recently struck with similar damages, transportation of resources is relatively simpler. This is because they are able to utilize infrastructure to transport aid. Transporting similar resources to Puerto Rico has proved to be more difficult, as they must travel across the ocean, either in aircraft or in ships.<ref name="auto"/> Long also mentioned that Puerto Rico's international airport was not able to operate at full capacity, which posed an additional obstacle for federal aid imports.

Long resigned on March 8, 2019, following criticism of his handling of Hurricane Maria and an ethical complaint over misuse of official vehicles, costing $151,000.<ref name ="Bloomberg-Long-Resignation">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Jennifer |last2=Flavelle |first2=Christopher |date=February 13, 2019 |title=FEMA Chief Brock Long Leaving Agency He Led Through Deadly Storms |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/fema-chief-brock-long-said-to-be-planning-to-leave-agency |work=Bloomberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017224452/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/fema-chief-brock-long-said-to-be-planning-to-leave-agency |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |quote=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.}}</ref> 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]].  Nielsen submitted her own resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security less than a month later on April 7, 2019.<ref name="cbs-neilsen-resignation">{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Paula |date=April 8, 2019 |title=DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen speaks for first time since resignation announcement |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kirstjen-nielsen-resigning-dhs-secretary-expected-to-offer-resignation-today-live-updates-2019-04-07/ |work=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417135257/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kirstjen-nielsen-resigning-dhs-secretary-expected-to-offer-resignation-today-live-updates-2019-04-07/ |archive-date=April 17, 2020 }}</ref>

===Hurricane Harvey===
{{see also|Hurricane Harvey}}
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in late August 2017 as a [[Saffir–Simpson scale#Category 4|Category 4]] Hurricane with 130&nbsp;mph (215&nbsp;km/h) sustained winds. The Hurricane predominantly affected southeast [[Texas]]; however, its effects were felt as far as Arkansas, [[Kentucky]], and [[Tennessee]] in the form of flash flooding.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|title=Historic Hurricane Harvey's Recap|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-storm-harvey-forecast-texas-louisiana-arkansas|access-date=December 2, 2017|website=Weather.com|date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> Harvey slowly progressed around southeast Texas, where it produced heavy precipitation over the region. This caused heavy flooding in residential areas such as [[Colorado City, Texas|Colorado City]], [[Liberty, Texas|Liberty]], and [[Montgomery, Texas]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4332|title=Texas Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332) – FEMA.gov|website=Fema.gov|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>

Harvey was the first of a [[2017 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Jose|series of hurricanes]] and tropical storms to affect the United States between August and September 2017. The effects of these storms included extreme flooding, damage from high speed winds, structural damage, and humanitarian concerns regarding the availability of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/weather/hurricane-nate-maria-irma-harvey-impact-look-back-trnd/index.html|title=A look at four storms from one brutal hurricane season|first=AJ|last=Willingham|website=Cnn.com|date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unocha.org/hurricane-season-2017|title=Hurricane Season 2017 – OCHA|website=UNOCHA.org|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215164707/http://www.unocha.org/hurricane-season-2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Some recipients were forced to wait up to two months before receiving aid from FEMA, as technical complications held up both their application for it and the processing of said applications. Some residents were denied Federal Aid and have to dispute their denial in efforts to rebuild and repair properties without taking a considerably large financial loss.

=== Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) ===
{{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}

In early April 2020, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] was "quietly" seizing medical supplies from states and hospitals, citing hospital and clinic officials catering to seven states. These officials stated that the administration has not informed them how they can otherwise get access to their ordered supplies. A FEMA representative said the agency, working with the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|Department of Health and Human Services]] and the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], has developed a system for identifying needed supplies from vendors and distributing them equitably. The federal government also seized an order for thermometers meant for Florida, an order for masks from the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, and an order for testing supplies meant for the [[PeaceHealth]] hospital system in Washington, [[Oregon]] and [[Alaska]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Levey |first1=Noam |title=Hospitals say feds are seizing masks and other coronavirus supplies without a word |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-04-07/hospitals-washington-seize-coronavirus-supplies |access-date=April 27, 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504153309/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-04-07/hospitals-washington-seize-coronavirus-supplies |archive-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>

On April 24, [[San Francisco]] Mayor [[London Breed]] said "We've had situations when things we've ordered that have gone through Customs were confiscated by FEMA to be diverted to other locations. We know everyone is dealing with a serious challenge. Through Customs, we've had situations where those items have been taken and put out on the market for the highest bidder, putting cities against cities and states against states."<ref name="SF-PPE-diverted">{{cite news |last=Pereira |first=Alyssa |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Breed says SF's PPE orders have been diverted to France and 'confiscated' by FEMA |url=https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/Breed-SF-PPE-orders-diverted-to-france-FEMA-15224831.php |url-status=live |work=SFGate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426123242/https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/Breed-SF-PPE-orders-diverted-to-france-FEMA-15224831.php |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020 }}</ref>

[[Massachusetts]] Secretary of [[Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services|Health and Human Services]] Marylou Sudders cited a shipment of 3 million masks that the state had negotiated to buy from [[BJ's Wholesale Club]], until the federal government impounded them from the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]] on March 18. A further order from [[MSC Industrial Direct|MSC Industrial Supply]] for 400 masks to be delivered on March 20 was also claimed by the federal government using [[force majeure]].<ref name="BGlobe-Mar27">{{cite news |last1=Stout |first1=Matt |last2=McGrane |first2=Victoria |date=March 27, 2020 |title=In state's intense chase for protective equipment, coronavirus isn't the only rival — the feds are, too |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/27/nation/states-intense-chase-protective-equipment-coronavirus-isnt-only-rival/ |url-status=live |work=The Boston Globe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418043613/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/27/nation/states-intense-chase-protective-equipment-coronavirus-isnt-only-rival/ |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Massachusetts Governor [[Charlie Baker]] reached out to the [[New England Patriots]] professional American football team, who used the team plane "AirKraft" to bring approximately 1.2 million N95 masks from China to Boston.<ref name="WWLP-NE-Patriots">{{cite news |last=Asiamah |first=Nancy |date=Apr 3, 2020 |title=3 million masks ordered by Massachusetts were seized at Port of NY in March |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/3-million-masks-ordered-by-massachusetts-seized-at-port-of-ny-in-march/ |url-status=live |work=WWLP 22 News |location=Boston, Massachusetts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412104110/https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/3-million-masks-ordered-by-massachusetts-seized-at-port-of-ny-in-march/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref>

In late April, reports of the actions taken by FEMA in Massachusetts prompted [[Maryland]] [[Governor of Maryland|Governor]] [[Larry Hogan]] to deploy the [[Maryland Army National Guard|Maryland National Guard]] and task them with guarding a shipment of 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits purchased from [[South Korea]]n company LabGenomics by the [[Government of Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Ariel |title=Maryland Gov. Hogan Takes Extraordinary Steps To Keep Feds From Confiscating COVID Tests |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2020/04/30/maryland-gov-hogan-takes-extraordinary-steps-to-keep-feds-from-confiscating-covid-tests-trump/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Czachor |first=Emily |date=2020-04-30 |title=National Guard protecting Maryland's coronavirus tests in undisclosed location so federal government can't seize them |url=https://www.newsweek.com/national-guard-protecting-marylands-coronavirus-tests-undisclosed-location-so-federal-government-1501309 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor Larry Hogan - Official Website for the Governor of Maryland |url=http://governor.maryland.gov/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Governor of Maryland |language=en}}</ref> The tests were subsequently held in an "undisclosed location," under the continued supervision of the Maryland National Guard.

The state of [[Colorado]] was set to purchase 500 ventilators before Federal Emergency Management Agency swooped in and bought them first. [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] announced on [[Twitter]] that the federal government would be sending 100 ventilators to Colorado at the request of [[Cory Gardner|Senator Cory Gardner]].<ref name="DP-CO-500-Vent">{{cite news |last=Wingerter |first=Justin |date=April 8, 2020 |title=Feds sending 100 ventilators to Colorado, Trump says |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/08/colorado-coronavirus-ventilators-trump-gardner/ |url-status=live |work=The Denver Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422210957/https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/08/colorado-coronavirus-ventilators-trump-gardner/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |quote=FEMA bought 500 ventilators out from under state, governor said last week}}</ref> The incident caused Colorado [[Jared Polis|Governor Polis]] to make future supply purchases in secret.<ref name="CBS-Den-Polis">{{cite news |last=Morfitt |first=Karen |date=May 1, 2020 |title='It's A Global Free For All': Gov. Polis Says He's Making Coronavirus Supply Purchases In Secret |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/05/01/colorado-polis-coronavirus-secret-supply-purchases/ |url-status=dead |work=CBS4 Denver |location=Denver, Colorado |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503050452/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/05/01/colorado-polis-coronavirus-secret-supply-purchases/ |archive-date=May 3, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |quote=Last month the governor made claims that FEMA swooped in to obtain ventilators he thought were coming to Colorado. He says now they're careful to keep all purchases under wraps. }}</ref>

In late April, 5,000,000 masks meant for hospitals of the [[Veterans Health Administration]] were seized by FEMA and redirected to the [[Strategic National Stockpile]], stated Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration.<ref name="FEMA-seizure">{{cite news |last=Papenfuss |first=Mary |date=April 25, 2020 |title=FEMA Reportedly Took The 5 Million Masks Ordered For Veterans To Send To Stockpile |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fema-hijacks-masks-for-veterans-hospitals_n_5ea4c72dc5b6805f9ece2bc3 |url-status=live |work=Huffington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505030145/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fema-hijacks-masks-for-veterans-hospitals_n_5ea4c72dc5b6805f9ece2bc3 |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |quote=FEMA instructed vendors with protective equipment ordered by the Veterans Administration to send the shipments instead to the stockpile.}}</ref> After an appeal from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to FEMA, the agency provided the VA with 500,000 masks.<ref name="FEMA-seizure" />

===Hurricane Ian===
{{see also|Hurricane Ian}}
[[File:Thomas McCool, Francisco Sanchez, and Marion McFadden giving an oath to testify truthfully.png|thumb|FEMA, SBA, and HUD officials giving an oath to testify truthfully during the hearing]]
On August 10, 2023, the [[United States House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations|United States House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce]], a [[United States congressional subcommittee|subcommittee]] under the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]], held a televised investigative hearing on the federal government's response to and overall recovery efforts from [[Hurricane Ian]], which struck [[Florida]] in September 2022.<ref name="TheHill">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Caleigh |title=Lawmakers grill feds over delays in Hurricane Ian response |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4149077-lawmakers-grill-feds-over-delays-in-hurricane-ian-response/ |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=11 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kruger |first1=Ryan |title=Congressional subcommittee asks what went wrong with Ian recovery |url=https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/congressional-subcommittee-asks-what-went-wrong-with-ian-recovery |website=[[WFTX-TV]] |access-date=6 August 2025 |date=10 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FEMA Taken to The Woodshed |url=https://beachtalkradionews.com/fema-taken-to-the-woodshed/ |website=Beach Talk Radio News |date=10 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Moline |first1=Michael |title=U.S. House panel in South Fla. hears complaints about Hurricane Ian recovery problems |url=https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2023/08/12/u-s-house-panel-in-south-fla-hears-complaints-about-hurricane-ian-recovery-problems/ |website=[[Rhode Island Current]] |date=12 August 2023}}</ref>

===Hurricanes Helene and Milton===
{{See also|Hurricane Helene|Hurricane Milton|Misinformation about the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season}}
Between November 2024&ndash;March 2025, the [[United States Congress]] held four separate televised [[United States congressional hearing|investigative hearings]] on the federal government's response to, overall recovery efforts from, and criminal events following Milton and [[Hurricane Helene]] a few weeks earlier.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Battaglia |first1=Danielle |title=FEMA admin testifies about misinformation, funding and Trump supporters after Helene |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article295753664.html |website=[[The News & Observer]] |publisher=McClatchy |access-date=23 August 2025 |date=20 November 2024}}</ref><ref name="NBC1">{{cite web |last1=Strickler |first1=Laura |last2=Shabad |first2=Rebecca |last3=Ebner |first3=Victoria |title=FEMA chief grilled about government's response to hurricanes Helene and Milton |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/fema-chief-face-questions-governments-response-hurricanes-helen-milton-rcna180762 |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=23 August 2025 |date=19 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gorman |first1=Reese |title=The House Oversight Committee Wants Answers From FEMA on the Hurricane Helene Response |url=https://www.notus.org/congress/house-oversight-fema-helene-north-carolina-hearing |website=[[NOTUS (website)|NOTUS]] |publisher=Albritton Journalism Institute |access-date=23 August 2025 |date=19 March 2025}}</ref> These two hurricanes [[Misinformation about the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season|sparked widespread misinformation]] and political turmoil to the point where Helene was described as the "flashpoint" for the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Klein |first1=Betsy |title=The enormous devastation of Hurricane Helene becomes a political flashpoint |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/01/politics/hurricane-helene-becomes-a-political-flashpoint |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=25 July 2025 |date=1 October 2024}}</ref>

=== July 2025 Central Texas floods ===
By the time of the July 2025 Central Texas floods disaster, the Trump administration had reduced FEMA staff by one-fifth since taking office, and FEMA preparedness training ceased for months, shutting out over 7,000 trainees.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Tierney |first=MaryAnn |date=2025-07-07 |title=Texas Hill Country Is underwater, and America's emergency lifeline Is fraying |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/opinion/texas-floods-fema.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Therefore, FEMA's response to this catastrophic event will likely be closely scrutinized.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bidgood |first=Jess |date=2025-07-07 |title=Three big questions after the Texas floods |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/texas-floods-trump-administration.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The National Emergency Management Association, as part of a coalition of stakeholders, states in a June 30, 2025, letter to [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] that FEMA “has not opened applications for a large number of key grants and is missing legally mandated deadlines to ensure the funds can be distributed.”<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Gabe |date=2025-07-02 |title='We've been ghosted by FEMA': Officials across country say they can't get answers on critical funding |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/politics/fema-critical-funding-disaster-response |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Such grants support emergency management staffing and resources for 82% of U.S. counties, particularly in rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawes |first=Jennifer Berry |date=2025-06-27 |title=States fear critical funding from FEMA may be drying up |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/fema-grants-trump-emergencies |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}</ref>

The Trump administration has the stated goal of reducing—or even eliminating—the federal role of FEMA, and having individual states assume emergency management responsibilities instead;<ref name=":2" /> there is evidence that the flow of information from and within FEMA is thus being deliberately stifled—a situation which is hampering the agency's ability to efficiently communicate and work with state officials, and even with other parts of the federal government, thus “jeopardizing emergency response and homeland security capabilities, putting ‘critical infrastructure’ at risk.”<ref name=":3" /> With regard to the July 2025 Central Texas floods, a former FEMA administrator observes that “Texas has already requested assistance for search and rescue… Oklahoma and Louisiana are sending search and rescue teams in,” and she points out that out-of-state teams are, in fact, FEMA trained and funded, begging the questions she poses: “What happens if that funding for their ongoing training goes away?” and “How are they going to be able to sustain that?”<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2025 |title=Reduced FEMA funding could jeopardize flood warning systems, says fmr. administrator |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/reduced-fema-funding-could-jeopardize-flood-warning-systems-says-fmr-administrator-242809413876 |work=Meet the Press (NBC)}}</ref>

==Federalism and FEMA==
The costs of a disaster to states and localities can escalate quickly. Federal assistance becomes fully available with the approval of the President and at the request of the governor. Public help for governments to repair facilities is 75% federally funded with local governments responsible for covering the rest (unless the state grants aid or loans). FEMA does not compensate for buildings that have been improperly maintained by the state or local government nor does it pay to upgrade or improve facilities. FEMA coordinates but does not fund disaster assistance provided by the [[Small Business Administration]] or the [[Farmers Home Administration]]. FEMA grant-in aid funds come from revenue sharing, the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|Department of Housing and Urban Development]] and the [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]]. Grants for disaster preparedness can be used by flood control districts.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Settle |first1=Allen K. |date=January 1985 |title=Financing Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery |journal=Public Administration Review |volume=45 |issue=Special Issue: Emergency Management: A Challenge for Public Administration |pages=101–106 |doi=10.2307/3135004 |jstor=3135004}}</ref>

Many states have disaster relief agencies of their own. In the event of a disaster outside of a state's operating capacity, the director of said agency will advise the Governor whether or not to proclaim a state of emergency. Declaring a state of emergency, upon Presidential approval, entitles a state to federal assistance.

Proclaiming a state of emergency does not guarantee federal assistance. States also rely on mutual aid agreements, such as the [[Civil Defense and Disaster Compact]] and [[Emergency Management Assistance Compact]]. A mutual aid agreement can be between neighboring states, cities, counties and cities, states and cities or an entire region. These agreements allow agencies to share resources so they are better prepared for emergencies.<ref name=":0" />

Local governments have the most immediate responsibility. Four factors shape local disaster response:
# The extent of tax base depletion
# The scope of lost sales tax revenue
# Access to other forms of revenue
# Amount of city debt
Having a mostly intact tax base allows local governments to maintain steady revenue stream. Business unharmed by a disaster will be able to continue to generate sales tax revenue. Cities with access to large revenue reserves and strong mutual aid agreements will have greater response capacity. While cities with large municipal debt that would be unable to pay back state or federal loans would be in a difficult situation.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite journal |last=Settle |first=Allen K. |date=1985 |title=Financing Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3135004 |journal=Public Administration Review |volume=45 |pages=101–106 |doi=10.2307/3135004 |jstor=3135004 |issn=0033-3352|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===''U.S. v. Parish of Jefferson et al''===
This case gave FEMA the right to sue in order to recover funds paid out in flood insurance claims for flood damage as a result of poor decisions by local officials and developers. The case also gave FEMA the power to sue localities who fail to meet flood plain management requirements.<ref name="auto2"/>

==List of FEMA heads==
{|class="toccolours"
|{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting capacity.}}
|}

The following persons served as the head of FEMA:<ref>{{cite report |url=https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/downloads/robertspfema%208%2020%2004%20apsa.pdf |title=Reputation and Federal Emergency Preparedness Agencies, 1948-2003 |page=34 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811090726/https://training.fema.gov/emiweb/downloads/robertspfema%208%2020%2004%20apsa.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-11}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!class=unsortable |Portrait
!Name
!Start
!End
!class=unsortable |{{abbr|Refs.|References}}
!colspan=2 |President
|-
| –
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|James|Hafer}}{{efn|Serving as the last director of the [[Office of Emergency Preparedness]], the predecessor agency to FEMA}}
|{{dts|May 1975}}
|{{dts|April 1, 1979}}
|
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Gerald|Ford}}<br>(1974–1977)
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Gordon|Vickery}}{{efn|Director of the [[U.S. Fire Administration]] serving as Acting Director of the newly created Federal Emergency Management Agency}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|April 1, 1979}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|July 1979}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19961216/2365338/firefighting-giant-dies-at-76----there-was-only-one-gordon-vickery |title=Firefighting Giant Dies At 76 -- 'There Was Only One Gordon Vickery' |date=December 16, 1996 |first=Jennifer |last=Bjorhus |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref>
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Jimmy|Carter}}<br>(1977–1981)
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Thomas|Casey|dab=U.S. government official}}{{efn|Deputy Associate Director serving as acting director}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|July 1979}}
|{{dts|August 1979}}
|
|-
|1
|[[File:JohnWMacyJr1963.png|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|Macy}}
|{{dts|August 1979}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1981}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/federal-emergency-management-agency-nomination-john-w-macy-r-be-director |title=Federal Emergency Management Agency Nomination of John W. Macy, ]r., To Be Director. |date=May 3, 1979 |work=Carter White House |via=[[The American Presidency Project]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/25/obituaries/john-w-macy-jr-69-ex-leader-of-civil-service-commission-dies.html |title=JOHN W. MACY JR., 69, EX-LEADER OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, DIES |first=William G. |last=Blair |date=December 25, 1986 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Bernard|Gallagher|dab=government official}}{{efn|federal emergency preparedness manager at Mount Weather serving as acting director}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 20, 1981}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|April 1981}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/09/08/bernard-gallagher-dies/79d35fbf-693e-470a-b778-5cb2e933383a/ |title=Bernard Gallagher Dies |date=September 7, 2000 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|John|McConnell|dab=government official}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|April 1981}}
|{{dts|May 1981}}
|
|-
|2
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Jeff|Giuffrida|Louis O. Giuffrida}}
|{{dts|May 1981}}
|{{dts|September 1, 1985}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://obits.nj.com/us/obituaries/hunterdoncountydemocrat/name/louis-giuffrida-obituary?id=18735110 |title=Louis O. Giuffrida (obituary) |work=[[NJ.com]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Robert|Morris|dab=government official}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|September 1, 1985}}
|{{dts|November 1985}}
|
|-
|3
|[[File:Lt Gen Julius W. Becton Jr.jpeg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Julius|Becton|Julius W. Becton Jr.}}
|{{dts|November 1985}}
|{{dts|June 1989}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/11/29/julius-becton-general-dead/ |title=Julius Becton, Army general who led FEMA and D.C. schools, dies at 97 |date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Robert|Morris|dab=government official}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|June 1989}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|May 1990}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|George H. W.|Bush}}<br>(1989–1993)
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Jerry|Jennings|dab=government official}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|May 1990}}
|{{dts|August 1990}}
|
|-
|4
|[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Wallace|Stickney}}
|{{dts|August 1990}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1993}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/nomination-wallace-elmer-stickney-be-director-the-federal-emergency-management-agency-and |title=Nomination of Wallace Elmer Stickney To Be Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Appointment as a Governor of the Board of Governors of the American National Red Cross |date=May 4, 1990|work=George H.W. Bush White House |via=[[The American Presidency Project]]}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:No image.svg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|William|Tidball|dab=government official}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 20, 1993}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|April 5, 1993}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Bill|Clinton}}<br>(1993–2001)
|-
|5
|[[File:James Lee Witt, official FEMA photo portrait.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|James|Witt|James Lee Witt}}
|{{dts|April 5, 1993}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2001}}
|
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:John magaw.jpg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|John|Magaw}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 20, 2001}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|February 15, 2001}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|George W.|Bush}}<br>(2001–2009)
|-
|6
|[[File:FEMA - 5710 - Photograph by Greg Schaler taken on 12-10-2001 in District of Columbia.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Joe|Allbaugh}}
|{{dts|February 15, 2001}}
|{{dts|April 15, 2003}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010305-6.html |title=Remarks by the President at Swearing-In Ceremony for Director of FEMA Joseph Allbaugh |date=March 5, 2001 |publisher=The White House |via=NARA}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[File:Michael D. Brown, official FEMA photo portrait, 2003.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Michael|Brown|Michael D. Brown}}
|{{dts|April 15, 2003}}
|{{dts|September 12, 2005}}
|
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|rowspan=2 |[[File:R. David Paulison, official FEMA photo portrait, 2006.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|David|Paulison|R. David Paulison}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|September 12, 2005}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|June 8, 2006}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|-
|8
|{{dts|June 8, 2006}}
|{{dts|January 21, 2009}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-09-na-briefs9.5-story.html |title=FEMA Acting Director Is Sworn In as Chief |date=June 9, 2006 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:Nancy t ward.jpg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Nancy|Ward|Nancy L. Ward}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 21, 2009}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|May 19, 2009}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-
|9
|[[File:Craig Fugate official portrait.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Craig|Fugate}}
|{{dts|May 19, 2009}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2017}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2009/05/19/alachua-cos-fugate-sworn-in-as-fema-head/31706747007/ |title=Alachua Co.'s Fugate sworn in as FEMA head |first=Nathan |last=Crabbe |date=May 19, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Gainesville Sun]]}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:FEMA - 45336 - FEMA's Robert Fenton in the FEMA studio (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Bob|Fenton|Robert J. Fenton}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 20, 2017}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|June 23, 2017}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=4 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=4 |{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2017–2021)
|-
|10
|[[File:Brock Long.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Brock|Long}}
|{{dts|June 23, 2017}}
|{{dts|March 8, 2019}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250602/fema-welcomes-new-fema-administrator-brock-long |title=FEMA Welcomes New FEMA Administrator Brock Long |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=FEMA}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Pete Gaynor DHS Portrait.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Pete|Gaynor}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|March 8, 2019}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 14, 2020}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|-
|11
|{{dts|January 14, 2020}}
|{{dts|January 12, 2021}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250602/pete-gaynor-becomes-fema-administrator |title=Pete Gaynor Becomes FEMA Administrator |date=January 16, 2020 |publisher=FEMA}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:FEMA - 45336 - FEMA's Robert Fenton in the FEMA studio (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Bob|Fenton|Robert J. Fenton}}<br/>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 12, 2021}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|April 26, 2021}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 | {{sortname|Joe|Biden}}<br/>(2021–2025)
|-
|12
|[[File:Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Deanne|Criswell}}
|{{dts|April 26, 2021}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2025}}
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210427/deanne-criswell-takes-oath-femas-12th-administrator |title=Deanne Criswell Takes Oath as FEMA's 12th Administrator |date=April 27, 2021 |publisher=FEMA}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" | –
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |[[File:FEMA - 22440 - Photograph by Robert Kaufmann taken on 02-20-2006 in Louisiana.jpg|70px]]
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{sortname|Tony|Robinson|dab=government official}}<br/>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 20, 2025}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |{{dts|January 22, 2025}}
|style="background-color:#E6E6AA;" |
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 | {{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br/>(2025–present)
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:Acting FEMA Cameron Hamilton.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|Cameron|Hamilton}}<br/>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|January 22, 2025}}
|{{dts|May 8, 2025}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/climate/fema-announcement-cameron-hamilton.html |title=Former Navy SEAL Said to Be Interim Head of FEMA |first=Christopher |last=Flavelle |date=January 22, 2025 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| –
|[[File:David Richardson Official Portrait.jpg|70px]]
|{{sortname|David|Richardson|dab=government official}}<br/>{{small|Acting}}
|{{dts|May 8, 2025}}
|{{dts|November 17, 2025}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fema-head-says-he-will-run-right-over-staff-who-resist-agency-changes-2025-05-09/ |title=New FEMA head says he will 'run right over' staff who resist his changes |first1=Leah |last1=Douglas |first2=Nathan |last2=Layne |date=May 9, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
|-
|}

Table notes:
{{notelist}}

===Titles===
*Director of the [[Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization|Office of Emergency Preparedness]] within the [[General Services Administration]] (May 1975 – April 1, 1979)
*Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency as an [[Independent agencies of the United States government|independent agency]] (April 1, 1979 – April 15, 2003)
**Elevated to [[Cabinet of the United States|Cabinet-level]] (February 26, 1996 – January 20, 2001)<ref name="rank"/><ref name=cqfema/>
*Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency and Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response within the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] (April 15, 2003 – June 8, 2006)
*Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency and Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Federal Emergency Management within the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] (June 8, 2006 – March 31, 2007)
*Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency within the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] (March 31, 2007 – present)

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[History of homeland security in the United States]]
* [[United States civil defense]]
* [[Federal Civil Defense Authority]]
* [[FEMA camps conspiracy theory]]
* [[FEMA photo library]]
* [[National Emergency Technology Guard]]
* [[PDD-62]], the National Security Directive defining FEMA's counterterrorism jurisdiction
* [[Civil defense by country]]
* [[Civil Contingencies Secretariat]], British counterpart emergency management agency
* [[Public Safety Canada|Emergency Preparedness Canada]], Canadian counterpart emergency management agency
* [[National Disaster Medical System ]]
* [[Disaster medical assistance team|Disaster Medical Assistance Teams]]
* [[Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team]]s
* [[Integrated Public Alert and Warning System]]

{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite journal |last1=Garrett |first1=Thomas A. |last2=Sobel |first2=Russell S. |date=July 2003 |title=The Political Economy of FEMA Disaster Payments |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1093/ei/cbg023 |journal=Economic Inquiry |publisher=<!-- Western Economic Association International / Blackwell Publishing Limited --> |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=496–509 |doi=10.1093/ei/cbg023 |issn=0095-2583 |id={{EBSCOhost|10360377}}|url-access=subscription }}
* Sobel, Russell S., Christopher J. Coyne, and Peter T. Leeson. "The political economy of FEMA: did reorganization matter?." ''Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice'' 25.2-3 (2007): 151-167 [http://faculty.citadel.edu/sobel/All%20Pubs%20PDF/The%20Political%20Economy%20of%20FEMA%20Disaster%20Payments.pdf online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007012558/http://faculty.citadel.edu/sobel/All%20Pubs%20PDF/The%20Political%20Economy%20of%20FEMA%20Disaster%20Payments.pdf |date=October 7, 2021 }}
* Kneeland, Timothy W. ''Playing Politics with Natural Disaster: Hurricane Agnes, the 1972 Election, and the Origins of FEMA'' (Cornell University Press, 2020) [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=56463 online]
* Kousky, Carolyn. "Facts about FEMA household disaster aid: examining the 2008 floods and tornadoes in Missouri." ''Weather, Climate, and Society'' 5.4 (2013): 332–344. [https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/wcas/5/4/wcas-d-12-00059_1.xml?tab_body=pdf online]
* Lindsay, Bruce R. ''FEMA Disaster Housing: The Individuals and Households Program--Implementation and Potential Issues for Congress'' (Congressional Research Service, 2017) [http://sgp.fas.org/crs/homesec/R44619.pdf online].
* {{Cite journal |last1=Murphree |first1=Vanessa |last2=Bryan H. |first2=Reber |last3=Blevens |first3=Frederick |date=July 2009 |title=Superhero, Instructor, Optimist: FEMA and the Frames of Disaster in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10627260802640732 |journal=Journal of Public Relations Research |publisher=<!-- Lawrence Erlbaum Associates / Taylor & Francis Ltd --> |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=273–294 |doi=10.1080/10627260802640732 |issn=1062-726X |eissn=1532-754X |id={{EBSCOhost|41038900}}|url-access=subscription }}
* Sadiq, Abdul-Akeem, Kevin Tharp, and John D. Graham. "FEMA versus local governments: Influence and reliance in disaster preparedness." ''Natural hazards'' 82.1 (2016): 123–138. [https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/8364/sadiq-2016-FEMA.pdf;sequence=1 online]
* Schneider, Saundra K. "FEMA, federalism, Hugo, and'Frisco." ''Publius: The Journal of Federalism'' 20.3 (1990): 97–116.
* {{Cite news |date=April 26, 2006 |title=Senate panel recommends abolishing FEMA |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12505146 |work=NBC News |agency=The Associated Press}}
* {{Cite report |url=http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R42845_20121130.pdf |title=Federal Emergency Management: A Brief Introduction |last=Lindsay |first=Bruce R. |date=November 30, 2012 |publisher=[[Congressional Research Service]] |id=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140420043411/https://opencrs.com/document/R42845/ R42845] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420132438/http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R42845_20121130.pdf |archive-date=2014-04-20 |url-status=dead |type=CRS Report for Congress}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-emergency-management-agency Federal Emergency Management Agency] in the [[Federal Register]]

{{DHS agencies|state=collapsed}}
{{Presidency of Jimmy Carter}}
{{Portal bar|United States|Politics}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Federal Emergency Management Agency| ]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1978]]
[[Category:United States Department of Homeland Security agencies]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Continuity of government in the United States]]