What Is FEMA and What Does It Do?

If you asked 10 people what "FEMA" stands for, I bet only about one-half would know. Maybe even fewer.

Most would probably know the "F" stands for "Federal" and some would remember the "E" stands for "Emergency." Many would get stuck on the "M." Others might say the "A" stands for "Administration.

The correct answer is Federal Emergency Management Agency. People also forget what other acronyms stand for. Such as ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Some words are spelled by what their letters stand for. For example, scuba is Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Radar is Radio Detection and Ranging. And sonar is Sound Navigation and Ranging.

Mission: disaster response 

You might have known exactly what FEMA stands for before reading those first few paragraphs. But are you aware of the agency's history, mission and activities?

I'd like to address this subject today. Then I'll answer the question of whether we can (or should) count on FEMA to solve all our problems in a disaster. (I'm pretty sure you already know the answer to that one, but it's worth discussing.)

FEMA was established in 1979 under the direction of President Jimmy Carter. The agency's primary mission has always been the same. To coordinate responses to disasters that overwhelm local and state resources.

Today, FEMA is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (since 2003). The department's budget is $52.2 billion this year.

By invitation only 

In order for FEMA to step in and help, a state's governor must declare a state of emergency. And request assistance from the U.S. president.

The exception is if a disaster occurs on federal property or to a federal asset. Examples are the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City. And the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Whenever it is called in, FEMA provides on-the-ground support of disaster relief efforts. It also provides experts in specialized fields to local and state governments. As well as funding for rebuilding efforts.

In addition, FEMA issues funds for the training of response personnel. Throughout the country and its territories.

It all began in 1803 

Federal assistance for disaster relief was available long before FEMA's formation.

The first time the federal government provided relief after a disaster was 1803. Congress extended a deadline for merchants to pay tariffs on imported goods. This followed a series of fires in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Other examples of federal assistance in the 1800s followed the Great Fire of New York in 1835. And the collapse of John T. Ford's Theater in 1893.

Last century, feds stepped in with assistance during the Great Depression. As well as with road reconstruction and irrigation projects after severe flooding.     

2020 broke records

As you can imagine, 2020 was an extremely busy year for FEMA. For the first time, the agency simultaneously responded to disasters in all 50 states. As well as in Washington, D.C. and five U.S. territories.

There were 230 presidentially declared emergencies and disasters in 2020. The previous record was 128 in 2011. The agency sent out more than 11,000 alerts over its Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

More than 1,200 FEMA employees supported earthquake response efforts in Puerto Rico. Over 5,000 employees responded to record-setting hurricanes and other storms. Another 1,200 were deployed to assist in wildfire relief efforts.

FEMA paid out $830 million in flood insurance to policy holders in 2020. And nearly $570 million in grants to disaster survivors for immediate needs. Plus $1.8 billion in grants to help communities prepare for disasters. Do I even need to mention COVID-19?

In 2021, there were declared disasters in 15 states. Such as California and Colorado (wildfires). Plus Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and New York (Hurricane Ida). As well as Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky and others (severe storms).     

Not always popular 

There have been many criticisms of FEMA through the years. Mainly due to response times and the quality of assistance. Some of the loudest criticisms came during and after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. And Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

As well as after a Buffalo, New York snowstorm in 2006. And Arkansas tornadoes and California wildfires in 2007. Plus Hurricanes Maria and Harvey in 2017.

And, of course, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The agency was accused of redirecting supplies meant for one state to another. As well as from the Veterans Health Administration to the Strategic National Stockpile. 

FEMA also improperly shared personal information of 2.3 million natural disaster survivors with a contractor. Placing those people at risk of identify theft and fraud.     

Self-reliance is the key

Let's put those criticisms aside for now and face a stark fact. No one can be everywhere at once. No budget is unlimited. And nobody's perfect. 

But even if FEMA were the greatest agency in the world and had an unlimited budget, disasters would still put people in a bad situation until help could arrive.

This is why it's crucial to become self-reliant and prepared. It has been proven over and over again that we can't count on any agency – local, state or federal – to save us in times of distress.

We can only count on ourselves. And that requires a mindset of preparedness.

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