During the years 1978-79, three executive actions established the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.gov). FEMA assists people and emergency personnel in developing, maintaining, and strengthening the nation to plan, defend, respond, recover, and mitigate all hazards.

FEMA is the leading emergency preparedness, recovery, and relief organization in the federal government. The budget of FEMA fluctuates from year to year, but in recent decades spending has risen sharply. In fiscal 2013, the agency spent $22 billion and in fiscal 2014, spent $10 billion.

FEMA’s main activity is to provide support during natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and earthquakes to people and local governments. The department also makes continuing disaster preparedness grants to the states and runs the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Responsibilities fulfilled by FEMA

FEMA Declares Disasters

While there may be incidents that feel disastrous, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is mainly responsible for awarding official disaster status to events such as flooding, wildfires, and other natural phenomena that cause destruction and severe loss of life.

They can do so only once a disaster-impacted state’s governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help. It’s a big part of government bureaucracy.

As unnecessary as this may seem when people are in crisis, this is the method of requesting money and resources. It is also one of the main ways in which FEMA works to help communities recover in the aftermath of any natural disaster.

Coordinating with Communities

Because the Federal Disaster Response Delegation is inefficient, FEMA works with communities, state agencies and local authorities to develop and implement intervention plans.

It comes within the heading of Community Planning and Capacity Building (CPCB) and is a government organization’s primary role. These programs include resource allocations at the state level, inter-agency contingency plans coordinating local and state responses in the event of a disaster and community coordination with disaster response teams.

FEMA and Recovery Support Functions

The Federal Emergency Management Agency does not have the tools or workforce necessary to carry out critical recovery operations. Instead, it is a planner and acts as a center for delegating essential resources where, after a disaster, they are most needed.

FEMA coordinates the execution of local and state economic rejuvenation with the Department of Commerce. When they damage facilities and property, the Army Corps of Engineers become their primary side.

The Housing and Urban Development Department provides housing for displaced people. When cultural resources are at risk, FEMA collaborates with the Interior Department to ensure critical cultural sites.

FEMA and Homeland Security

FEMA became part of the Homeland Security Department in 2003. While this is a seemingly unusual step, DHS sets goals for disaster preparedness and speedy recovery. A disorganized area, plagued by destroyed infrastructure and resources, afflicted by disease, poverty, and homelessness, is considered a significant national security risk.

FEMA Studies and Disaster Prevention

FEMA also works to assess potential trouble spots in addition to CPCB’s training and communication building. Researchers perform extensive studies on fragile flood plains, examine major faults across the U.S. and evaluate potential fire areas.

It then works to ensure compliance with specific safety standards for local governments and insurance providers. Such activity may include how a community applies for zoning districts and protection of floodplains. This further include regulation of insurance rates depending on where developers are allowed to build residential settlements.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is far from the bureaucratic passive beast or a monolithic body of government that many envision. Instead, there are various group of experts, scientists and field dedicating their careers to working with communities and states; this ensure that they are prepared if disaster strikes their region.

They provide assistance, collect and disseminate information and work to maintain cohesion at all levels of government response.

How to secure Federal Contracts for FEMA Disaster Relief

To apply for disaster relief contracting incentives, register your company with SAM. The registration process takes an average of 2-3 days to complete. You are then a part of Registry of Disaster Response after registration.

You should indicate that you wish to participate in the Disaster Response Registry during registration; and provide the required information within the Assertions section on the Disaster Response Information page.

Contact the Federal Service Desk (FSD) for registration assistance. You can get free support from your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC); this is an official government procurement assistance network, if you are located in the U.S. and its outlying areas.