We Are FEMA

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FEMA Women's Symposium event.

FEMA’s employees are committed to serving our country before, during and after disasters. Every day more than 20,000 emergency managers work to make our nation safer, stronger and more prepared.

The core values that guide our agency can be found in our capstone doctrine, “We Are FEMA.” Every day, across the nation, FEMA employees are inspired by that mission and are working tirelessly to make a difference.

We encourage you to learn more about the staff and their mission-driven work and the who, what and why behind our mission.

Join Our Mission

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Video Spotlight

In this video, learn more about the staff behind our mission.

Tonya Hoover supports the training, education, and professional development of fire departments so they are better prepared to respond to all hazards.
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Watch more stories in our We Are FEMA playlist on YouTube.

#IAMFEMA Stories

The men and women of FEMA are our most valuable assets. This diverse team represents every U.S. state, local, tribal and territorial area and our effectiveness is enhanced because we understand the communities we serve. We strive to ensure that our values of compassion, fairness, integrity and respect are reflected through our actions in every step in the process.

Explore these stories to get to know the people of FEMA and the many ways they are helping to create a more prepared and resilient nation. To join our team, go to USAJOBS.gov to see the latest job openings.


"This is one of the best jobs I've ever had. It's not even a job – it's a mission."

– Myra, Federal Coordinating Officer

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“FEMA allows me the opportunity to continue working to help others in need."

– Arlena, Region 2

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"My FEMA training and my ability to remain calm in uncertain situations undoubtedly played a significant role in me saving an elderly woman's life."

– Tom, Region 9

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“As I support the Deaf employees, I get to see the amazing work that unfolds, the collaboration that happens and the survivors who are able to benefit. Our Deaf employees are dedicated to providing assistance to these survivors, and I am so fortunate to be part of it,”

– Yasmine, Reservists

When Frederick Douglass delivered his speech “What to the slave is the 4th of July?” in 1852 before the start of the Civil War, he laid bare the distance between the country’s founding ideals and the reality of life for millions of enslaved people. Thirteen years later, on June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of both the Civil War and slavery to 250,000 people still in bondage.

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In celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, we are taking time to honor Caribbean FEMA employees who help make our nation safer, stronger and more prepared.

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This month, FEMA joins the Biden-Harris Administration in the recognition of Pride Month, honoring the diverse members of the LGBTQI+ community and their vast contributions to our agency and our nation.

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This month, FEMA staff are celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by sharing some favorite recipes and go-to comfort foods.

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Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month celebrates the rich culture, history and achievements of the AANHPI in the United States. Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month celebrates the rich culture, history and achievements of the AANHPI in the United States. This week we are highlighting three FEMA employees in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month.

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FEMA was established by President Carter in 1979 to unify the federal emergency preparedness and response resources to build the nation’s culture of readiness. As disasters and emergencies have evolved, our agency has evolved. FEMA’s ability to adapt to meet the new challenges of today and tomorrow is a direct reflection of the people that make up the agency.

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Greg is an Incident Workforce Unit Leader at FEMA Region 8.

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Susan is a Hazard Mitigation Specialist at FEMA Region 8.

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FEMA employees are proud to serve the nation by helping people before, during and after disasters. This Public Service Recognition Week, we are taking time to honor FEMA employees who embody our mission and have committed themselves to serving the public.

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Throughout Black History Month, we are taking time to honor African American FEMA employees who help make our nation safer, stronger and more prepared. Through their service, these colleagues are bringing much-needed energy to help our work align with FEMA’s Strategic Plan and the ideals of our nation.

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