Sources used in this document:

OEM also states to "routinely assists local government, volunteer organizations, and private industry through a variety of emergency management programs," which include hazard identification, loss prevention, and operational response to emergencies. OEM further coordinates emergency response of all state agencies in times of a crisis. However, one must note that these programs and general beliefs, although similar to other states, are only relevant to New York State. Thus, other states will have their own ways of dealing with emergencies. OEM's "legal foundations" rest in the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 and the New York State Defense Emergency Act of 1951. Thus, the organization is quite fit to assist in a disaster, though with federal help, and this is why federal agencies are so vital to disaster relief and emergency management. [4: Unknown. (2011). "About SEMO." New York State Office of Emergency Management. Retrieved April 19, 2011, < http://www.semo.state.ny.us/about/>. ]

It thus seems that federal agencies are best equipped to help with emergency management, but that state agencies are also vital as first-responders to disaster scenes. It thus benefits the latter to have the support of the former, both politically and financially, and vice versa. When one reads headlines such as "State and Local Agencies Bear Brunt of Homeland Security Cuts," it is disappointing because these agencies are still vital to emergency response. In this article, the recent budget cuts are discussed, and the author does not agree with the "more than $786 million" cut from "first responder grants" either. He further stated that these cuts placed unnecessary pressure on state and local emergency officials, and will not allow for even minimal staffing to be put into place at these local agencies. However, this budget cut was meant to "allow staffing levels to be maintained at federal agencies like the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard and Secret Service." While this is great for U.S. security, it is still vital to have both federal and state responders. [5: Wimberly, R. (2011). "State and Local Agencies Bear Brunt of Homeland Security Cuts." Emergency Management. Retrieved April 20, 2011, <http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/State-Local-Agencies-Homeland-Security-Cuts-041911.html>. ] [6: Wimberly, R. (2011). "State and Local Agencies Bear Brunt of Homeland Security Cuts." Emergency Management. Retrieved April 20, 2011, <http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/State-Local-Agencies-Homeland-Security-Cuts-041911.html>. ]

This paper has analyzed emergency management and has established that the most important relief response happens at the federal level, though this cannot take place without the first-responders at state levels. However, local governments cannot obtain the most up-to-date technology and the best employees, and must also rely on federal agencies. Thus it is wise to recommend beginning with federal agencies and federally aided state agencies that can better address emergency management.