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About FEMA

What We Do

Overview 

FEMA Mission

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS Mission 

Statutory Authority

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, PL 100-707, signed into law November 23, 1988; amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, PL 93-288. This Act constitutes the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs.

Homeland Security Act

Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) (PDF 300KB)

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Who We Are

FEMA History

As of October 8, 2011: FEMA has 7,474 employees across the country working to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA employees work all over the country – at FEMA Headquarters, the ten regional offices, the National Emergency Training Center, Center for Domestic Preparedness/Noble Training Center, and other locations – to support the larger emergency management team.

FEMA is not the team, but part of a team. That team includes federal partners, state, tribal and local officials, the private sector, non-profits and faith-based groups, and the general public.

FEMA Leadership
National Advisory Council
Organization Structure

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The FEMA Think Tank

A forum to engage our partners, promote innovation, and facilitate discussions in the field of emergency management.

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Strategic Plans and Guiding Documents

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General Contacts

Contact us at:

FEMA
500 C Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Or see our "Contact Us" page for more contact information.

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FEMA Brochure

(PDF 448KB, TXT 14KB)

 

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Last Modified: Monday, 12-Dec-2011 15:04:27 EST