Fema
Special Topics in Business
Introduction
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is responsible for coordinating the government’s role in preparation, prevention, response and recovery from domestic disaster, whether they be natural or man-made. FEMA.gov lists 1849 total disasters declared since 1953, with an average of 32 each year (13). This particular agency has generated a lot of praise and but just as much criticism. Over the course of FEMA’s history, there are many lessons to be learned and FEMA is always looking for ways to be more effective. This paper will examine the history of FEMA, evaluate its performance over the years and pinpoint lessons to be learned and actions to be taken.
History and Purpose of FEMA
Evolution of FEMA
FEMA can trace its origins back to the Congressional Act of 1803, which is generally considered to be the first piece of disaster legislation. This Act granted assistance to a town in New Hampshire following an extensive fire. Over the next century, more than 100 instances of ad hoc legislation were passed in response to natural disasters (12). The 1960s and 1970s brought many disasters that required major government intervention, facilitated primarily through the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. However, there were complaints about the lack of coordination. It was becoming clear that a centralized and unified system was needed (13). In 1979, President Carter signed an executive order margining many of the separate disaster-related agencies into the Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA. FEMA absorbed agencies such as the Federal Insurance Administration, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. John Macy was appointed as FEMA’s first director and the mission became to prevent and protect the United States from disasters – whether it be
Introduction
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is responsible for coordinating the government’s role in preparation, prevention, response and recovery from domestic disaster, whether they be natural or man-made. FEMA.gov lists 1849 total disasters declared since 1953, with an average of 32 each year (13). This particular agency has generated a lot of praise and but just as much criticism. Over the course of FEMA’s history, there are many lessons to be learned and FEMA is always looking for ways to be more effective. This paper will examine the history of FEMA, evaluate its performance over the years and pinpoint lessons to be learned and actions to be taken.
History and Purpose of FEMA
Evolution of FEMA
FEMA can trace its origins back to the Congressional Act of 1803, which is generally considered to be the first piece of disaster legislation. This Act granted assistance to a town in New Hampshire following an extensive fire. Over the next century, more than 100 instances of ad hoc legislation were passed in response to natural disasters (12). The 1960s and 1970s brought many disasters that required major government intervention, facilitated primarily through the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. However, there were complaints about the lack of coordination. It was becoming clear that a centralized and unified system was needed (13). In 1979, President Carter signed an executive order margining many of the separate disaster-related agencies into the Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA. FEMA absorbed agencies such as the Federal Insurance Administration, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. John Macy was appointed as FEMA’s first director and the mission became to prevent and protect the United States from disasters – whether it be