Recovery, National

The Process

All emergencies and emergency actions start at the local level. Significant events will eventually encompass states, regions, and the nation as a whole. Prior to federal involvement in emergencies or disaster recovery operations, a request must be sent from an involved state's governor or designee to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting a presidential disaster declaration and federal assistance. For instances such as hurricanes, this process can actually be accomplished ahead of the storm if a devastating impact is inevitable. Once the request has been evaluated, if appropriate, it is forwarded to the president of the United States with the recommendation for endorsement.

Upon a presidential disaster declaration, federal elements of national recovery are initiated under the auspices of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, otherwise known as the Stafford Act. This act describes the programs and operational framework used by the federal government, specifically FEMA, to provide disaster and emergency assistance to state and local governments, tribal nations, eligible nonprofit organizations, and individuals affected by a declared major disaster or emergency. The Stafford Act covers all hazards, including natural disasters and terrorist events, and works in conjunction with the Homeland Security Act, Defense Production Act, and many other laws and regulations as part of a process known as the National Response Framework (NRF), formerly known as the National Response Plan. The NRF is an operational framework used to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against, and recover from an emergency or disaster on a national scale.

Agencies Involved in National Recovery

Under the NRF, FEMA is the agency tasked with coordinating recovery operations at the federal level, as well as administering the federal Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation grant programs. To

accomplish this role, FEMA works in conjunction with numerous other agencies and departments to include the Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Defense, Agriculture, Education, Interior, State, and Commerce; as well as the General Services Administration, Small Business Administration, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). National recovery activities can touch nearly all areas of the federal government and private sector. The NRF designates each agency and entity's roles and responsibilities regarding response and recovery.

...