Priorities During A Disaster Response
Federal, State and Local Roles
Release Date: June 6, 2007
Release Number: R3-07-002b
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- When disaster strikes, local governments will always be the first to respond. They should plan and prepare to respond to disasters for the initial 72 hours following the incident. When needs are beyond their capabilities, state assistance is requested.
In major disasters, the state may also be overwhelmed, and as a result, request federal assistance. If a disaster is declared by the President, federal assistance is available to supplement the resources of the state, local and voluntary agencies. Through forward leaning, however, FEMA may expedite its response by deploying assets and teams to provide local support in advance of a declaration.
A number of actions are taken to fulfill life-sustaining and life-saving needs—the top priority during a response:
Local Jurisdictions
- Local governments meet critical life-sustaining needs using available resources, activate mutual aid agreements, and purchase, rent or contract for goods and services. FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs under a presidential disaster declaration.
- Local governments establish evacuation routes, commodities distribution points, shelter locations and communications.
- If life-sustaining needs cannot be met by the local entity, local emergency management officials ask the state for help.
States
- State governments assist local communities when requested, and they in turn, activate mutual aid agreements for housing, goods and services and other critical needs. FEMA reimburses 75 percent of all eligible costs under a presidential disaster declaration.
- The state prioritizes its needs and identifies the resources to be provided.
- If the state exhausts its resources and the procurement of life-sustaining needs exceeds its capabilities, federal assistance is requested in the form of a disaster declaration.
The Federal Government
- To satisfy state requests for assistance, FEMA coordinates the delivery of federal assets through Emergency Support Functions (ESF). Each ESF has a lead federal agency and several support agencies. The ESF structure meets specific needs as depicted below:
ESF#1: Transportation
ESF#2: Telecommunication and Information Technology
ESF#3: Public Works and Engineering
ESF#4: Firefighting
ESF#5: Emergency Management
ESF#6: Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services
ESF#7: Resource Support and Logistics Management
ESF#8: Public Health and Medical Services
ESF#9: Urban Search and Rescue
ESF#10: Oil and Hazardous Material Response
ESF#11: Agriculture
ESF#12: Energy
ESF#13: Public Safety and Security
ESF#14: Long-Term Community Recovery
ESF#15: External Affairs (Emergency Public Information)
- FEMA provides goods and services to the state for allocation, and the state in turn delivers these critical assets to the local jurisdictions. At the community level, local jurisdictions set the priority for distribution of critical assets and services.
Individuals and Families
Individuals and families also have an important role to play in responding to a disaster. Being prepared is everyone’s responsibility. Residents who are equipped to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours free rescuers to help the sick, the elderly, and others with specials needs.
Families are strongly encouraged to always have the following ready:
- A disaster supply kit with a three-day supply of food and water, battery-powered radio and batteries, cash, medicines, changes of clothing and more.
- A family plan where everyone knows:
- How to exit the home
- Travel routes and shelters
- How to locate other family members if separated
- An understanding of the risks and hazards that may threaten their community and any specific actions they should take for each.
Additional resources for the media are located at www.fema.gov/media/index.shtm.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-Jun-2007 18:41:18